James Mason DiaryCHIMNEY ROCKCASTLE ROCK

NEBRASKAJUNE 8-10, 1850

Diary of James Mason From Lewellen, NE

Viewed Castle Rock all dayPassed Chimney Rock to Scotts Bluff, NE See next page for map

June 6 - traveled 15 m & E.N. the roads hevey & Sandy passed 3 Indian Encampments of Sues the most of the children naked &

dirty & more dogs & Pups but dogs worksJune 7 – traveled 25 m & E.N. the most of the road Sandy & heavy

a great many Indians passed us mooving the other villages they hall there Baggage by tying their tent Poles on each Side of the

Horses & making a Slide Kerth of themJune 8 – traveled 18 m & E.N. came Sight of Castle Rock was in site of it all day it is a large pile of rock like the ruin of some old

Pallace Hight 250 feetJune 9 – Sabbath rested in Sight of Chimney Rock

June 10 – traveled 22 m & E.N. near Scotts bluff Pass Chimney Rock this is an elevated mass of rocks Some 250 feet High at the

Base it is round & Some 600 yds round the Shape of a potatoe pah [?] then the Rock shoots up som 75 or 100 feet 19 miles farther on

is Scotts Bluff

Diary of James Mason

Lewellen

From Lewellen, NE – Viewed Castle Rock all day & Passing

Chimney Rock

June 8 – traveled 18 m & E.N. came Sight of Castle Rock was in site of it all day it is a large pile of rock like the ruin of some old Pallace

Hight 250 feetJune 9 – Sabbath rested in Sight of Chimney Rock

June 10 – traveled 22 m & E.N. near Scotts bluff Pass Chimney Rock this is an elevated mass of rocks Some 250 feet High at the Base it is round & Some 600 yds round the Shape of a potatoe pah [?] then the Rock shoots up som 75 or 100 feet 19 miles farther on is Scotts Bluff

Castle

Rock

Castle Rock, NE

Chimney Rock, NEChimney Rock was designated a National Historic Site on August 9, 1956, and is maintained and operated by the Nebraska State Historical Society. Located in the valley of the North Platte River, this landmark has been remarked upon by people for centuries. Chimney Rock is known as the most famous landmark on the Oregon-California Trail, but it had made an impression on earlier residents of the area as well. According to early fur traders, Native Americans named the rock "Elk Penis" after the penis of the adult male elk. This made more sense to those who had lived for centuries on the plains than comparing the rock to a feature from a white man's building. Prim and proper usage among Anglo-Americans, though, overwhelmingly preferred the more delicate name "chimney."Nearly half a million westbound emigrants and other travelers saw Chimney Rock. Many remain nameless; a few left words and pictures describing their trip west. All were part of a great movement of people and ideas that passed by Chimney Rock in the years 1812-1866

Chimney Rock, NE

Chimney Rock, NE

Nebraska’s Official Quarter

Chimney Rock, NE

Pioneer Visitors CrossingMost likely where James Mason passed Chimney

Rock

Chimney Rock, NE

Chimney Rock, NE

Picture taken early 1900’s

Chimney Rock, NE

In 1859 Chimney Rock inspired Albert Bierstadt, the great painter of western landscapes.  This engraving of a Sioux Village along the

North Platte River was based on one of his paintings.

ENDJames Mason DiaryCHIMNEY ROCK

NEBRASKAJUNE 9, 1850