Point of Rocks overlooking the wooded valley of the Cimarron River.

Point of Rocks is a cliff in Morton County, Kansas[1] which was one of three landmarks by the same name on the Santa Fe Trail. This one was on the Cimarron Cutoff. It is now part of Cimarron National Grassland.

The bluff overlooks the north side of the Cimarron River and lies approximately seven miles north of Elkhart west of K-27.[2] Point of Rocks has been an important landmark for travelers to this region of Kansas. It signifies the closeness of springs and thus water. Many springs are known to exist in the region of the Cimarron River near Point of Rocks. Because of this, Point of Rocks was an important landmark for travelers heading west on the Cimarron Cutoff and for modern day ranchers. Point of Rocks is the third Highest Point in the state of Kansas with the elevation at its summit being 3,540 feet (1,080 m).[1]

Point of Rocks-Middle Spring Santa Fe Trail Historic District, which includes the cliff, a spring, and four Santa Fe trail segments, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Point of Rocks--Middle Spring Santa Fe Trail Historic District
Point of Rocks (Kansas) is located in Kansas
Point of Rocks (Kansas)
Nearest cityElkhart, Kansas
Area467.5 acres (189.2 ha)
MPSSanta Fe Trail MPS
NRHP reference No.13000151[3]
Added to NRHPApril 10, 2013

An overlook on the Point of Rocks looks out over former Point of Rocks ranch area. The overlook includes interpretative displays.

A DAR monument was placed on the Point of Rocks in April 1914. Soon after, on May 1, 1914, the a flood of the Cimarron River destroyed hay and numerous buildings of the Point of Rocks ranch, as well as drowning two daughters of the Brite family.[4]

The district was added to the National Register on April 10, 2013.[3][4]

References

  1. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Point of Rocks (Kansas)
  2. ↑ Elkhart North, KS, 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1973
  3. 1 2 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  4. 1 2 John R. Barry & Amanda K. Loughlin (July 2012). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Point of Rocks--Middle Spring Santa Fe Trail Historic District / 14MT53 -153, -174, -1110, -1111, -1112, -1113; KHRI #129-169; NPS Master Plan #117-118". National Park Service. Retrieved February 2, 2022. Includes maps and 13 photos from 2011-12.

37°06′14″N 101°56′20″W / 37.103912°N 101.938780°W / 37.103912; -101.938780


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