City of Rocks: Cultural Landscape Inventory, City of Rocks National Reserve, National Park Service
Tamura A and Cain C. 2009. City of Rocks: Cultural Landscape Inventory, City of Rocks National Reserve, National Park Service. Cultural Landscapes Inventory Report. 400004. NPS Pacific West Regional Office. Pacific West Regional Office/CLI Database
Located in south central Idaho, the City of Rocks National Reserve encompasses 14,407 acres of land, which includes National Park Service as well as state and privately owned property. Designated as a National Historic Landmark (NHL) in 1964, the City of Rocks is nationally significant for its association with overland migration and the California Trail. In addition to its designation as an NHL, the City of Rocks was also designated as a National Natural Landmark (NNL) in 1974. Reflecting themes associated with westward migration and the California Trail, the City of Rocks is significant for its association with broad patterns of history. The period of significance begins in 1843 when the City of Rocks became a landmark for emigrants traveling along the California and Salt Lake Alternate Trail. The period extends to 1882 when wagon traffic through the area began to decrease. Characterized by a largely open scene punctuated by unique geologic features, the historic site is defined by remnants of the California Trail era. Today, trail ruts remain visible throughout a significant portion of the City of Rocks. Furthermore, monolithic granite rocks located within the boundaries of the reserve still bear the inscriptions of emigrants illustrating the rich history of the locale. Traces of later periods of activity, which included homesteading, dryland farming, mining, and ranching also appear as ruins within the landscape. While these potential archeological sites may be significant at a local level, they do not contribute to the California Trail era period of development. Principal landscape characteristics include natural systems and features, land use, spatial organization, circulation, views and vistas and archeological sites. Those features associated with trail remnants, emigrant inscriptions and views remain as character defining features associated with the California Trail era of development in the City of Rocks National Reserve. As a result of the cumulative assemblage of features associated with the California Trail and overland migration through the City of Rocks, the historic site still conveys its historic character and has integrity.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Tamura, Anna; Cain, Cortney
- Date of Issue
- 2009-10-16
- Publisher
- NPS Pacific West Regional Office
- Units
- CIRO , PWR
- Keywords
- Agriculture, Boise-Kelton Stage Coach, California Trail, California Trails, Cassia Silent City of Rocks, Cattle Grazing, City of Castles, Exploration, Granite City, Granite Pass, historic site, Livestock, Mining, Recreation, Scenic Landscape, Settlement, Settlement of California, Trail and Travelers, Transportation, Westward Expansion of the Colonies and the United States 1763-1898
- Subjects
- CRIS-CL: 400004: City of Rocks