Independence Rock - how it got it's name
Aug 22, 2012 9:36:31 GMT -7
Post by Leifer on Aug 22, 2012 9:36:31 GMT -7
"...Independence Rock was a famous landmark. It is an immense oblong block of oval, but irregular shape, along the southern base of which lay the river and along the northern base of the old Trail. It covers an area of over twenty-seven acres and its highest point is 155 feet above the level of the river. It is wholly isolated and looks as if it had been dropped there in the midst of the plain. The site of the rock became from the first a great camping place, and the custom early arose of inscribing on it the names of the travelers who passed on. It was thus, as Father De Smet justly observes, 'the great register of the desert.'
The name is of very early date, probably before 1830, and if so, coming from the Ashley expeditions. The incident which gave rise to it is well known, from various references, all of which indicate that a party of hunters encamped at the base of this rock on a Fourth of July and here celebrated the anniversary of the country's independence. Sage says that 'it derived its name from a party of Americans on their way to Oregon under the lead of one Tharp, who celebrated the Fourth of July at this place -- They being the first company of whites that ever made the journey from the States via South Pass.' As Oregon then included everything west of South Pass, this may very likely refer to the first Ashley party that followed this route, probably in 1823. The name Tharp occurs elsewhere in narratives of the time, but its use here may possibly be a mis-print for the well-known name Fraeb, always called Frapp by the trappers. The statement itself is entirely probable. Sage says that 'the surface [of the rock] is covered with the names of travelers, traders, trappers, emigrants, engraven upon it in almost every conceivable part for the distance of many feet above its base -- but most prominent among them all is the word 'Independence' inscribed by the patriotic band who first christened this lone monument of nature in honor of Liberty's birthday.' This is confirmed by Farnham who refers to the rock as 'a large rock, oval in form, on which the old trappers many years ago carved the word 'Independence' and their own names.'
While the general explanation above given, that a party here celebrated the Fourth of July and gave the rock its name, is undoubtedly correct, many and amusing are the theories which have gained currency concerning it's origin. Mr. John B. Wyeth sagely informs us that it was the 'resting place of Lewis and Clark on the 4th of July!' One of the old residents still living in this locality is always ready to entertain the ignorant visitor an authentic account of how the rock came to get its name. It was on the occasion of General Fremont's first exploring tour to the Rocky Mountains. Word was given out that the General would be at the rock, as yet unnamed, on the Fourth of July and would deliver an oration. Swift couriers rode up and down the Trail urging the emigrants who were ahead to lay by the rock and those in the rear to make haste and catch up. To hear a man of "General" Fremont's reputation was an opportunity not to be missed, and there was consequently a great concourse of traders present when the orator and the day arrived. The enthusiastic admirers of the renowned warrior bestirred themselves vigorously and hauled up the steep sides of the rock the best carriage they had. In this the General was drawn back and forth along the summit of the rock. He then discoursed to the eager crowd upon the greatness of the day. After he was done six couples of plighted lovers ascended to the summit of the rock, and there, on this sublime natural altar, surrendered their independence pair by pair in voluntary bondage to each other. The glorious record of these proceedings was perpetuated from that day forth in the name of the rock.
Less elaborate, but no less to the point, is the explanation given by another local authority who assures the visitor with the utmost gravity that the rock derives its name from the fact that it stands out in the plain independent of all surrounding rocks or mountains!
It may be added that the Masons have a tradition that the name came from the fact that the rites of their order were once celebrated upon this rock on the nation's birthday."
--"The American Fur Trade of the Far West", Volume 1, Hiram Martin Chittenden, pp 470-472
The name is of very early date, probably before 1830, and if so, coming from the Ashley expeditions. The incident which gave rise to it is well known, from various references, all of which indicate that a party of hunters encamped at the base of this rock on a Fourth of July and here celebrated the anniversary of the country's independence. Sage says that 'it derived its name from a party of Americans on their way to Oregon under the lead of one Tharp, who celebrated the Fourth of July at this place -- They being the first company of whites that ever made the journey from the States via South Pass.' As Oregon then included everything west of South Pass, this may very likely refer to the first Ashley party that followed this route, probably in 1823. The name Tharp occurs elsewhere in narratives of the time, but its use here may possibly be a mis-print for the well-known name Fraeb, always called Frapp by the trappers. The statement itself is entirely probable. Sage says that 'the surface [of the rock] is covered with the names of travelers, traders, trappers, emigrants, engraven upon it in almost every conceivable part for the distance of many feet above its base -- but most prominent among them all is the word 'Independence' inscribed by the patriotic band who first christened this lone monument of nature in honor of Liberty's birthday.' This is confirmed by Farnham who refers to the rock as 'a large rock, oval in form, on which the old trappers many years ago carved the word 'Independence' and their own names.'
While the general explanation above given, that a party here celebrated the Fourth of July and gave the rock its name, is undoubtedly correct, many and amusing are the theories which have gained currency concerning it's origin. Mr. John B. Wyeth sagely informs us that it was the 'resting place of Lewis and Clark on the 4th of July!' One of the old residents still living in this locality is always ready to entertain the ignorant visitor an authentic account of how the rock came to get its name. It was on the occasion of General Fremont's first exploring tour to the Rocky Mountains. Word was given out that the General would be at the rock, as yet unnamed, on the Fourth of July and would deliver an oration. Swift couriers rode up and down the Trail urging the emigrants who were ahead to lay by the rock and those in the rear to make haste and catch up. To hear a man of "General" Fremont's reputation was an opportunity not to be missed, and there was consequently a great concourse of traders present when the orator and the day arrived. The enthusiastic admirers of the renowned warrior bestirred themselves vigorously and hauled up the steep sides of the rock the best carriage they had. In this the General was drawn back and forth along the summit of the rock. He then discoursed to the eager crowd upon the greatness of the day. After he was done six couples of plighted lovers ascended to the summit of the rock, and there, on this sublime natural altar, surrendered their independence pair by pair in voluntary bondage to each other. The glorious record of these proceedings was perpetuated from that day forth in the name of the rock.
Less elaborate, but no less to the point, is the explanation given by another local authority who assures the visitor with the utmost gravity that the rock derives its name from the fact that it stands out in the plain independent of all surrounding rocks or mountains!
It may be added that the Masons have a tradition that the name came from the fact that the rites of their order were once celebrated upon this rock on the nation's birthday."
--"The American Fur Trade of the Far West", Volume 1, Hiram Martin Chittenden, pp 470-472