Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock is the most famous landmark on the Oregon, Mormon, and California Trails that traverse the east-west length of Nebraska. It is located in the North Platte river valley near Bayard. Nearly half a million immigrants and other travelers in the mid-1800s saw Chimney Rock as the first sign that their weeks-long journey through the plains was ending. It is mentioned in more journals and diaries than any other landmark. Chimney Rock is composed of layers of volcanic ash, sandstone, and clay. It is about 325 feet high. A small town also called Chimney Rock once stood at the base with a post office in operation from 1913 to 1922. This iconic Nebraska symbol is included on the Nebraska state quarter minted in 2006.