Devil's Backbone (rock formation)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Devil's Backbone is a rock formation and peninsula formed by the flow of Fourteen Mile Creek into the Ohio River, and is currently situated in Charlestown State Park near Charlestown, Indiana. According to local legend, on this bedrock ridge once stood a stone fortress that was built by Welsh explorers led by Prince Madoc sometime in the 12th century.[1]
The Backbone is believed to have been formed by the processes of glaciation where a combination of ice sheet advances, meltwater flows and a diversion of the Ohio River left an isolated bedrock ridge remaining between two valleys.
Rose Island, an amusement park popular during the 1920s that was destroyed by the 1937 Flood, stood on this rugged peninsula.
Charlestown State Park hiking trails do not provide access to the Backbone. However, the formation is easily accessible at the John Work House and Mill Site property.
According to the Rand McNally Road Atlas, the formation is near Fort Ritner, Indiana, east of Bedford, but quite a distance from its actual location. This error also appears on the Gousha Fastmap of Indiana.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Satellite image of Devil's Backbone and Rose Island
- Geology Laboratory Manual, Hanover College — includes a more detailed description of how the Backbone probably was formed.
- Information about Rose Island
 |
This history article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 |
This Louisville-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
