By Eilene Lyon
One way our ancestors may have left a trace of their passing is by carving their names in stone. You’ve likely heard how westward pioneers inscribed Independence Rock along the Oregon Trail, for example.
Don’t do this.
First of all, it creates an unsightly mess on our public lands. Secondly, you’d be breaking the law, and I don’t want you going to jail.
The image above shows the monikers of explorers who passed through this Utah canyon, in what is now Capital Reef National Park. There are also some famed inscriptions in the Grand Canyon, visible only if you go down the Colorado River.
On a recent trip to California for my gold rush research, I visited California Cavern in Calaveras County. This cave was discovered during that era and was explored by many miners. In 1853, two men decided to turn it into a tourist attraction to make money. My ancestor, Henry Zane Jenkins, helped them prepare the way by opening up passages.
Near the original entrance, thousands of visitors, including the miners, carved their names over a 100-year period. H. Z. Jenkins etched his name in three places. As you pass by, the stony walls whisper “I was here, remember me” over and over.
I was also able to locate the inscriptions made by two other men who are subjects of my book, Peter N. Liestenfeltz and John C. Teach. John went above and beyond, adding a date and his home: Blackford County, Indiana, a place he never saw again after making his mark in a California cave.
The only trace of the Lewis and Clark expedition is outside of Billings on a rock known as Pompey’s Pillar. Clark carved his name in the rock. http://www.pompeyspillar.org.
Where I live in Colorado, in the San Luis Valley, are rock paintings and carvings and some of them are from the Spanish explorers of the 16th century. I think we’re all glad they’re there, but no one wants anyone doing that now. It’s funny.
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Such arrogance!
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Well it was a different time. They felt alone in the wilderness and knew how short life could be.
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I love this! How cool! I know it’s wrong, please forgive me! It reminds me of the political prisoners’ graffiti in the Tower of London.
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When a cousin sent me a photo of Henry’s graffiti, I just had to see it for myself. Finding two of his friends was a real bonus.
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Ooh fascinating! I guess the feelings of wanting to leave your mark is pretty constant through time. Love this.
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Thanks. It’s been going on for thousands of years, right?
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In the first photo it’s difficult to tell how high up the writing is but I am certain it must be an indicator of how the landscape has changed over the years. Interesting post.
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It’s quite high on the wall, maybe 20 feet up or more. You’re right that there was probably significant erosion over the years. They may have had a ladder, too. Or both!
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I concur with the comments of your other readers! Interesting post!
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