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Castle Rock (Kansas) facts for kids

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This article is about Castle Rock (disambiguation)|Castle Rock. For other uses, see Castle Rock (Kansas) (disambiguation).
Quick facts for kids
Castle Rock
Castlerock2005.jpg
Castle Rock in 2005
Highest point
Elevation 2,434 ft (742 m)
Prominence 70 ft (21 m)
Geography
Castle Rock is located in Kansas
Castle Rock
Castle Rock
Location in Kansas
Castle Rock is located in the United States
Castle Rock
Castle Rock
Location in the United States
Geology
Age of rock Cretaceous
Mountain type Erosional remnant

Castle Rock is a 70 ft (21 m) tall chalk pillar landmark in Gove County, Kansas, United States. The formation and the nearby badlands are located in the Smoky Hills region of Kansas, which is approximately 11 mi (18 km) south of I-70 near Quinter, Kansas.

Description

Castle Rock was a landmark on the Butterfield Overland Despatch route (Overland Trail). The chalk was deposited in the area by an ancient inland sea. The formation was carved by the weathering of the chalk by wind and water. It received its name because it is said to look like a castle rising above the prairie.

Weathering of the rock formation is increasing due to visitors climbing on the rocks. In 2001, following a thunderstorm, the tallest spire fell.

On January 29, 2008, Castle Rock and Monument Rocks 31 miles to the west were jointly named as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas.

Images for kids

  • Castle Rock, Kansas, on the Smoky Hill, 385 miles west of Missouri River. (Boston Public Library)

    Castle Rock, 1867

  • 108 Castle Rock, KS 14

    Castle Rock, 2009

  • Badlandsnearcastlerock20052
  • Badlandsnearcastlerock20053
  • Castlerockbadlands2005
  • Bluffsnearcastlerock
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