PAWNEE ROCK

ONE-HALF MILE NORTHEAST IS PAWNEE ROCK, A FAMOUS LANDMARK ON THE SANTA FE TRAIL. AS A LOOKOUT AND AMBUSH, RISING FROM THE PRAIRIES WHERE MILLIONS OF BUFFALO PROVIDED AN EASY LIVING FOR HOSTILE INDIANS, THE ROCK WAS ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS POINTS ON THE CENTRAL PLAINS. PIKE, WEBB, GREGG, DONIPHAN AND OTHER TRAVELERS MENTIONED IT IN THEIR JOURNALS. HERE 17-YEAR-OLD KIT CARSON, STANDING GUARD ONE NIGHT IN 1826, SHOT HIS OWN MULE, MISTAKING IT FOR AN INDIAN. TRAPPERS, SOLDIERS, GOLDSEEKERS, FREIGHTERS AND EMIGRANTS CARVED THEIR NAMES IN THE STONE. IN LATER YEARS RAILROAD BUILDERS AND PIONEERS STRIPPED THE TOP OF THE ROCK AND GREATLY REDUCED ITS ELEVATION. IT IS NOW A STATE PARK. A ROAD LEADS TO A SHELTER HOUSE AND MONUMENT ON THE SUMMIT.