Rock Mary
4 mi. W of Hinton, Hinton, OKAmong the blind, it is said, the one-eyed is king And so it seems to have been among early-day travelers on the Great Plains. Plodding along slowly day after day on flat lands generally void of prominent landmarks, the occasional mound or butte or conspicuous rock was often made "king." Rock Mary was such an attention getter.
An unusual butte or mound of red sandstone, it first caught the eye of a California-bound party crossing present Western Oklahoma in 1849. It was noted and commented upon by many subsequent travelers. Over the years it acquired something of a romantic, half-legendary aura, partly because of its name, partly because of a "ghost" mound near by, and partly too perhaps because until 1960 there was widespread uncertainty as to just which mound of many in the area was indeed Rock Mary.
The origin o£ the name and its first appearance in print is found in the report of Lt. James H. Simpson of the Corps of Topographical Engineers. He was on the staff of Capt. R. B. Marcy at the time he was escorting an emigrant party westward from Fort Smith. In his report he includes the following extract from his personal journal:
Earliest sketch or drawing of "the Natural Mounds" (as they were usually referred to) - although it did not include Rock Mary, the easternmost of them - was made on October 1, 1845, by Lt. J. W. Abert of the Corps of Topographical Engineers from the north side of the Canadian River some eight miles away. Most familiar sketch of Rock Mary itself was that made by Baldwin Mollhausen, the botanist and artist who accompanied Lt. A. W. Whipple and his party westward in 1853 surveying a railroad route to the Pacific. As noted in the previous section, Rock Mary was noticed and described by many travelers in the second half of the 19th century. Judging by the initials carved into the redstone of its turreted top -- J. T. Johnson 1855 is the oldest still decipherable -- many of them have shared Lt. Simpson's urge to climb it.
Over the years, however, confusion had arisen as to which of the dozen or so buttes in the area was the real Rock Mary. Finally, hoping to resolve the matter once and for all, the Oklahoma Historical Society authorized a committee to examine the published evidence and undertake whatever field research was necessary to make a final de termination. This was done in 1960. "All of the tests or requirements laid out previously by the Committee," notes the official report, "had been met, and the feature fits in every detail." The location of Rock Mary, it concluded, "is not subject to serious challenge when the facts are analyzed in detail and with care."
Local significance of the site:
An unusual butte or mound of red sandstone, it first caught the eye of a California-bound party crossing present Western Oklahoma in 1849. It was noted and commented upon by many subsequent travelers. Over the years it acquired something of a romantic, half-legendary aura, partly because of its name, partly because of a "ghost" mound near by, and partly too perhaps because until 1960 there was widespread uncertainty as to just which mound of many in the area was indeed Rock Mary.
The origin o£ the name and its first appearance in print is found in the report of Lt. James H. Simpson of the Corps of Topographical Engineers. He was on the staff of Capt. R. B. Marcy at the time he was escorting an emigrant party westward from Fort Smith. In his report he includes the following extract from his personal journal:
"Camp No. 34, Wednesday, May 23. - Proceeding on about a mile, some hills of singular shape make their appearance, for the first time, bearing north 70° west; several have very much the appearance of immense Indian lodges. Nearing the first of these singularly formed hills, and it appearing more oddly shaped than any of the others, I started off alone to ascend it - reaching it just in time to scare up a wild turkey; and tying my horse to a black-jack tree at its base, I scrambled up to its summit. The novel character of the hill; its contorted appearance; its sudden emergence from the plain around it; my having reached its pinnacle; it being an object of interest to beholders in the distance; - all this had its complex influence upon me, and I felt correspondingly elated. Captain Marcy seeing me near the apex, suggested to me to unfurl (what I was about to do) a flag, and give it to the breeze. This I did, and soon I could see one person after another, Lieutenant Harrison and Dr. Rogers among them, leaving the train to get a look from its summit. A person present suggested that it be named after an Arkansas young lady, as much esteemed by the emigrants with whom she is in company, as she is by the officers.) I immediately fell in with the suggestion, and thereupon, with waving flag, proclaimed it to all concerned, that henceforth, in honor the said lady, the rock should be known as Rock Mary. ..." The Arkansas belle was Mary Conway.
Earliest sketch or drawing of "the Natural Mounds" (as they were usually referred to) - although it did not include Rock Mary, the easternmost of them - was made on October 1, 1845, by Lt. J. W. Abert of the Corps of Topographical Engineers from the north side of the Canadian River some eight miles away. Most familiar sketch of Rock Mary itself was that made by Baldwin Mollhausen, the botanist and artist who accompanied Lt. A. W. Whipple and his party westward in 1853 surveying a railroad route to the Pacific. As noted in the previous section, Rock Mary was noticed and described by many travelers in the second half of the 19th century. Judging by the initials carved into the redstone of its turreted top -- J. T. Johnson 1855 is the oldest still decipherable -- many of them have shared Lt. Simpson's urge to climb it.
Over the years, however, confusion had arisen as to which of the dozen or so buttes in the area was the real Rock Mary. Finally, hoping to resolve the matter once and for all, the Oklahoma Historical Society authorized a committee to examine the published evidence and undertake whatever field research was necessary to make a final de termination. This was done in 1960. "All of the tests or requirements laid out previously by the Committee," notes the official report, "had been met, and the feature fits in every detail." The location of Rock Mary, it concluded, "is not subject to serious challenge when the facts are analyzed in detail and with care."
Transportation
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
Oklahoma was originally home to many Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole nations. These tribes were forcibly relocated to Oklahoma from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States during the 1830s and 1840s in a tragic event known as the Trail of Tears.
About Caddo County
Caddo County Timeline
Caddo County, located in the central part of Oklahoma, has a rich and diverse history that stretches back thousands of years. The land was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Wichita and Caddo peoples, who relied on the fertile soil and abundant resources for sustenance. European exploration began in the 16th century, with Spanish explorers venturing into the area in search of gold and other riches.
In the early 19th century, the area experienced significant upheaval as the US government forcibly removed the Native American tribes from their ancestral lands, including the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Many tribes, including the Caddo Nation, were relocated to present-day Oklahoma under the policy of Indian Territory. During this time, the land became a crossroads for trade, with various trails and routes passing through the area.
The establishment of Caddo County came with the opening of the Unassigned Lands of Indian Territory in 1889, when settlers rushed into the area to claim land during the Land Run. The county was named after the Caddo Nation, whose history remains intertwined with the region. Soon after, towns such as Anadarko, the county seat, began to emerge as centers of commerce and government.
In the early 20th century, oil was discovered in Caddo County, leading to a boom in the local economy. Oil derricks dotted the landscape, and the black gold brought wealth and prosperity to the region. Agriculture, particularly wheat and cattle farming, also played a significant role in the county's economy throughout its history. Today, Caddo County continues to be a vibrant and diverse community, with a rich cultural heritage and a mix of urban and rural areas.
In the early 19th century, the area experienced significant upheaval as the US government forcibly removed the Native American tribes from their ancestral lands, including the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Many tribes, including the Caddo Nation, were relocated to present-day Oklahoma under the policy of Indian Territory. During this time, the land became a crossroads for trade, with various trails and routes passing through the area.
The establishment of Caddo County came with the opening of the Unassigned Lands of Indian Territory in 1889, when settlers rushed into the area to claim land during the Land Run. The county was named after the Caddo Nation, whose history remains intertwined with the region. Soon after, towns such as Anadarko, the county seat, began to emerge as centers of commerce and government.
In the early 20th century, oil was discovered in Caddo County, leading to a boom in the local economy. Oil derricks dotted the landscape, and the black gold brought wealth and prosperity to the region. Agriculture, particularly wheat and cattle farming, also played a significant role in the county's economy throughout its history. Today, Caddo County continues to be a vibrant and diverse community, with a rich cultural heritage and a mix of urban and rural areas.
Caddo County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Caddo County, Oklahoma.
- 1834: Caddo County is established as part of Indian Territory.
- 1855: The region is designated as part of the Caddo Nation reservation.
- 1867: The Caddo Nation is forced to sign a treaty ceding their land to the federal government.
- 1901: Oklahoma becomes a state, and Caddo County is included in its boundaries.
- 1902: Anadarko is established as the county seat of Caddo County.
- 1911: The discovery of oil leads to a rapid economic boom in the county.
- 1938: The Washita River flood causes significant damage in Caddo County.
- 1959: The National Register of Historic Places lists the Caddo County Courthouse.
- 1976: The Caddo County Historical Society is formed to preserve local history.
- 2009: Crosslin Park in Chickasha is dedicated as a memorial to fallen military members.