Save “Point of Rocks”

On the open flat prairies west of Dodge City, Kansas, is an out-cropping of sandstone that rises above the rest of the landscape that can be seen for miles around. This obvious spot was a landmark to early travelers and became known as “Point of Rocks.” To aid travelers on the Santa Fe Trail, two forts were established nearby: Fort Mann (1847-1848) and Fort Atkison (1850-1855). Wagon trains headed for Santa Fe, New Mexico Territory watched for the obvious landmark in order to get their bearings while crossing the wilderness.

Point of Rocks, an important landmark for the Santa Fe and Western Cattle Trails

Point of Rocks, an important landmark for the Santa Fe and Western Cattle Trails

When the cattle drives started coming north out of Texas in 1874 on the Western Cattle Trail, Point of Rocks was also used as the spot which signaled to the trail bosses that here was where their herds would bypass Dodge City’s west side and turn north toward another cattle town, Ogallala, Nebraska and beyond.

Today, the Kansas Department of Transportation has plans to widen Highway 50 from Dodge City to Cimarron which will destroy Point of Rocks. This landmark, under current plans, will be leveled.

Please help the Santa Fe Trail Association and the Great Western Cattle Trail Association in asking Governor Brownback to not allow KDOT to destroy this site, but to, instead, re-design the highway in that location to spare the landmark.  You can participate by giving your virtual signature on the Point of Rocks Petition Page (https://www.westerncattletrail.net/point-rocks-petition/).  It’s easy. All you need to do is give your name, email address, city, and state, then click “Sign Now.” That’s all you need to do, but an added bonus would be to share with the “Facebook” and “Twitter” buttons below the form.