Courthouse and Jail Rock

Courthouse and Jail Rocks are two of the most famous landmarks of the mid 1800's westward migration. Nearby is the Oregon-California Trail, the Mormon Trail, the Pony Express Trail and the Sidney-Deadwood Trail. The rocks were vanguards of the unforgettable scenic wonders that travelers would encounter farther west on the trails, including Chimney Rock and the rugged Scott's Bluffs. 

Hundreds of overland emigrants mentioned Courthouse Rock in their diaries. Often called a "castle" or "solitary tower," the name Courthouse was first used in 1837. One 1845 traveler described the rock as "resembling the ruins of an old castle [which] rises abruptly from the plain. . . .It is difficult to look upon it and not believe that art had something to do with its construction. The voyagers have called it the Courthouse; but it looks infinitely more like the Capitol." 

Courthouse and Jail Rocks, rising some 400 feet above the North Platte Valley, are erosional remnants composed of clay, sandstone and volcanic ash. The rocks are listed in the National Register of Historic Places and in the Nebraska Natural Areas Register.

To an emigrant who had never seen a mountain, or even a bluff, Courthouse Rock and its companion, Jail Rock were quite stunning. Many pioneers were so enraptured by these bizarre geologic features, they took a side trip of several miles--on foot--just to get a closer look.

Historian William Hill said "A lot of them really did a lot of sightseeing along the way. It's kind of amazing to think that some of them would walk 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 miles off the trail just to see a sight like Courthouse Rock."

Pictures and Facts:

Click for more Pictures

Quotes:

Emigrant Joel Palmer: "Viewed from the road, the beholder might easily imagine he was gazing upon some ancient structure of the old world. A nearer approach dispels this illusion, and it looks, as it is, rough and unseemly."

Emigrant Walter Pigman: "We spent about an hour on the summit writing. Our heads became dizzy, we began to hunt the base and had a hard time to overtake our wagons. Being nearly 15 miles off, we traveled hard but did not overtake them. We had left camp without a gun, pistol or knife, which we ought to have had as the wolves and bears became unusually thick."

Emigrant David Jackson Staples: "We made our noon halt opposite Court House bluff; after noon, several of our party went over to take a look at it. I climbed to the top and engraved my name and such a view man seldom sees."