Mantle Rock

    Surprising to a lot of folks who have at least a passing interest in natural arch formations around the state is the fact the longest arch span is not in the Red River Gorge.  It's not even in the Daniel Boone National Forest, nor the eastern part of the state for that matter. To find the state record, well, the record east of the Rocky Mountains, you will need to travel to Joy, Kentucky in Livingston County.  This location is out in the western part of the state and near the Ohio River.

Mantle Rock

     Mantle Rock spans a distance of  154 feet        according to  the Natural Arch Society making it the record holder for the longest natural arch span  in the eastern part of the country.  This giant natural rock arch appears to have been formed by fracturing and continued erosion through the joint fracture.  The small creek continues to eroded the base of the arch as it flows unusually parallel to and slightly under the arch.  As the stream reaches the lower part of the arch, it continues to eroded the base, thus, no doubt extending the arch a bit each year.  The beautiful rock formation can be reached by a short hiking trail built and maintained by the Nature Conservancy who also owns the property.

Front view of Mantle Rock

     The area is especially beautiful in the spring time as an abundance of wildflowers are found along the trail and the stream that flows beneath the arch.  The name Mantle Rock has been around for many years probably due to the strange appearance when one first arrives at the arch.  The top of the rock has a smooth flat appearance much like a mantle rock over a stone fireplace.
     Besides being a significant natural rock formation in the state, Mantle Rock has a sad historical background as well.  During the years of 1838 and 1839 the Cherokee people of North Carolina and other surrounding states were rounded up and moved to a new reservation established for them in Oklahoma.  As America expanded to meet the demands of producing goods for around the world, the rich farm land and timberland of the mountains in the south were taken.  The act of moving the native people was ordered by President Andrew Jackson.

Momfeather Erickson, Cherokee elder and founder of the Cultural Center

     The route(s) to move the Cherokee people crossed the extreme western portion of Kentucky and was referred to in later years as the "Trail of Tears."  Today this trail is designated as a national trail.  Many of the Cherokee died along the route through various hardships and illness.  The "Trail of Tears" went north across the Jackson Purchase region of Kentucky in the vicinity of Mantle Rock.  During the particularly harsh winter of 1839 the Ohio River froze, thereby halting the ferry that was the transport to move the natives across the river to continue their westward forced march. Many, perhaps several hundred, took refuge under the Mantle Rock and surrounding area from the harsh winter.  With little food and no medical assistance, many of the people, several hundred in fact, died right here at Mantle Rock. Though the natural rock arch is a wonderful monument to natures handiwork, it is also a sad reminder of how cruel the first Americans were treated in perhaps one of our darkest hours of a constitutional government.

Children singing Cherokee songs at Mantle Rock Cultural Center

     A visit to Mantle Rock is well worth your time and should be seen and appreciated.  But go with respect and reverence to those who perished.  You will be richly rewarded.  Today, Native American descendants of the Cherokee and many other tribes consider this a very sacred place.  There is even a Mantle Rock Native Education and Cultural Center in nearby Marion, Kentucky.  It is open to visitors who are interested in learning more about the native cultural of the region and state.  The center provides learning experiences in a variety of programs and events and is open to everyone.
     Mantle Rock is certainly worth the visit to anyone interested in Kentucky's natural arch wonders or history.  Just knowing the sad story of those poor souls that had to endure the hardship of a Kentucky winter can make your visit one that requires introspect and sorrow.  At the same time the pure enjoyment of the outdoors and this record holding natural formation will lift your spirit and leave you marveling.

   Members of Facebook can visit and are welcome to join our group "Mantle Rock Friends."

Amazing Flint

     Those of you that know me and some that follow these pages, know I am a nut about geology and especially unusual things geological related here in Kentucky.  To some people, studying rocks and the landscape is boring. To me, I say it is the ultimate hobby.  You don't need anything except to observe and curiosity and it is with you everywhere you go!  I think that is why I love the Swift Legend so much, even though most geologist do not give the idea much credit.

Me in front of unusual flint deposit

     Now, honestly, I started this blog to promote the book I hope to get out later this year.  I should have had it out by now, but unforeseen circumstances, not to mention my very picky proof readers, have dictated otherwise. But it will be a good book when it does come to fruition.  In the meantime, this has become sort of a Kentucky geology travel guide, along with hints, clues and ideas about the Swift Legend.
     With that in mind, I would like to share with you one of most unusual geological oddities I've seen in our beautiful Kentucky.  Some of you might know that I am a flint-knapper  hobbyist.   That is one who  chips stone into tools, primarily arrowheads, spears and such.   A specific kind of stone is needed for this process.  To most it is called flint.  Geologist will use the word chert to describe the same material.  It is found widespread across Kentucky generally associated with limestone rocks.  Now the fact is some limestones have the flint embedded  in the form of rounded nodules; while other times flint is found in layers embedded in the limestone.  And, flint is not found in every limestone everywhere.  Even today geologist are not quite sure how the stuff formed.  But it can be found in one of the two ways as mentioned, either in rounded nodules embedded in the limestone or in flat layers embedded in limestone.
   There is one location in Rowan County that the flint is in both flat layers and vertical columns embedded right there in the limestone along the roadside.  No where else have I ever seen or heard of this other than this one, strange spot.  Just another strange thing to see.  If anyone is interested in seeing, contact me and I can send you directions.
  


  

This is a ceremonial flint knife with polished dear antler made for a Cherokee elder

Unusual Kentucky

 If you are interested in odd and unusual places and people of Kentucky the I highly recommend Unusual Kentucky.  Although, the site has nothing to do with Swift, it is absolutely one of my favorite sites.  And it's updated almost everyday with some new item that is unusual or strange.  So, I thought I would share this link with you so that you may enjoy as well.

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2011

Kentucky Coffeetree

Some of you may think of the coffeehouse in Frankfort when you hear the name, but the Kentucky Coffeetree was briefly our state tree, from 1976 to 1994.

It had originally been the Tulip Poplar, but in 1976 it was discovered that this had never officially been made legal in the Kentucky statutes. Rather than simply make a quiet adjustment to the statutes, the lawmakers felt the thing to do was to totally reopen the issue all over again. Louisville Courier-Journal writer Joe Creason campaigned hard to have the Kentucky Coffeetree appointed our new state tree, and soon he had the masses riled up behind him 

Michael Paul

     He has often been called the "dean" of treasure hunting in the Midwest.  Michael Paul Henson was an original to say the least.  From my earliest days of  hearing  the tales of buried treasure and fabulous silver treasure somewhere in the rugged wilds of the Red River Country, Paul was presenting his latest theory on the legend.
     It seems to me that my first awareness came from my father, Clarence Henson.  Now Clarence and Paul were what is often referred to as double first cousins.  They were the product of two brothers marrying two sisters.  So that would make me a second cousin, I think, to Paul.  Anyway, in those days, the late 50's, there were a group of silver mine hunters from Virginia in the area.  They sought out my father, who had tremendous knowledge of the area, to help them locate land marks that would match the descriptions in their versions of the journal.  Paul  took up this interest and after years of searching and promoting treasure hunting in general, began his career of writing and publishing articles in various magazines and eventually his own books on the subject.  Other than an occasional newspaper or magazine article now and then, nothing in depth had been written on the topic and for the most part, few of the treasure hunters cared to share information from their copies of the famous journal.
      With the introduction of Paul's books on Kentucky Treasures and the Swift Legend, including variations of the journal created much new interest in the lost mines and probably contributed more to keeping the legend alive than about anyone before that time.  A new generation of silver mine hunters, treasure seekers and dreamers come about from the notoriety launched by Paul and others to be sure.  But cousin Paul was the lightning rod in the 60's and 70's.
     Paul and Nancy (family called her Jo Ann ) researched and explored Kentucky and the whole country for that matter, promoting the idea that out there somewhere, if one searches hard enough, there just might be hidden treasure.  Both are gone now, sadly much to soon.  But through the continued belief that just maybe the treasure exists or for nothing more than keeping a wonderful legend  alive, many now carry the torch.
     I never dreamed that I would be working on a book that would include this story as a central theme.  But here I am, years later, completing that very undertaking.  Now, as I've cautioned, my story is purely fiction.  It does provide a unique perspective (I think anyway) on what could have happened considering all the known history of the time.  I like to believe Michael Paul would approve, not that the story provides any clues to the lost treasure, but the legend still continues.