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Rock Bridge State Park - Visual Journey...Missouri |
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Rock Bridge State Park is located
just south of Columbia, MO on
Highway 163. It is named after
the park's natural bridge which is
actually a cave roof that remained
after the rest of the cave
collapsed. The park has three
trails totaling 4.5 miles which can
be used for hiking. Some trails
may also be used for mountain
biking. There are thirty-three
picnic sites and a picnic shelter at
the park. |
| During the 1820's the rock bridge was used by the farmers of Boone county as a location for a
grist mill. To power the grist mill a small dam was created under the southern opening of the rock
bridge using rock from a nearby bluff. Later a general store and a blacksmith shop were built
nearby and the rock bridge became a location for the residents of the area to gather. The small
quary nearby became a stage for plays and was used for political rallies. In the mid 1800's a paper
mill was built and later McConathy Rye whiskey was produced in the area. When the distillery was
destroyed by fire in 1889 the blacksmith shop and store were moved to a hill nearby, and called
Pierpont, which means "Rock Bridge" in French. |
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Rock Bridge State Park
has many caves, streams,
sinkholes, and
underground waterways.
Oceans covering the area
300 million years ago
deposited layers of
organic material which
formed what is called the
Burlington Limestone
formation by geologists.
Water coming up through
this limestone bedrock
caused openings to form.
When these openings
filled with water they created underground streams. Over the years some of these openings dried
up and left caves in their place. When this happens near the surface, the surface collapses causing
sinkholes. The Devil's Icebox is a double sinkhole that was created after the roof of a cave
collapsed. It now is an entrance to the six mile underground cave system. This cave is only open to
spelunkers who have obtained permission from the park superintendent to explore the cave.
Park hours are from dawn till dusk year-round. For more information call the Park Office:
573-449-7402. |
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