Nature, legend or structures built by the Works Progress Administration?
Split Rock Park has all three! Nature lovers will be amazed at the quartzite rock along both sides
of the Split Rock River. The cliffs can be seen by canoeing or kayaking, on a boat ride or just by
sitting on a park bench. Still standing structures built in the 1930s by the WPA from stone native
to
the area include bridges, a dam and an old bathhouse.
According to local legend, it was in a cave alongside the river where brothers Frank and Jesse
James hid out. Following the James gang's unsuccessful Minnesota bank robbery, the brothers
were the only two to escape. After crossing the river on horseback and finding a cave where they
could hole up, it is said that they got help from a nearby farmer who supplied them with food
and
other necessities.
The land in which the hideaway cave is located is now privately owned with no public access.
There
is, however, a 45 minute pontoon ride aboard the U. S. S. Jesse James which sails along the Split
Rock River during the summer months. The pontoon navigates through the rock canyons from
the
park to the alleged cave and back again while the captain tells about the history and geology.
What would make you want to visit Split Rock Park - historical structures, nature or legend?
#WordyExplorers #SouthDakota #ExploreSD #ExploreSouthDakota #JesseJames #SplitRockPark
#USSJesseJames #CaptainBruce
Split Rock Park has all three! Nature lovers will be amazed at the quartzite rock along both sides of the Split Rock River. The cliffs can be seen by canoeing or kayaking, on a boat ride or just by sitting on a park bench. Still standing structures built in the 1930s by the WPA from stone native to the area include bridges, a dam and an old bathhouse.
According to local legend, it was in a cave alongside the river where brothers Frank and Jesse James hid out. Following the James gang's unsuccessful Minnesota bank robbery, the brothers were the only two to escape. After crossing the river on horseback and finding a cave where they could hole up, it is said that they got help from a nearby farmer who supplied them with food and other necessities.
The land in which the hideaway cave is located is now privately owned with no public access. There is, however, a 45 minute pontoon ride aboard the U. S. S. Jesse James which sails along the Split Rock River during the summer months. The pontoon navigates through the rock canyons from the park to the alleged cave and back again while the captain tells about the history and geology.
What would make you want to visit Split Rock Park - historical structures, nature or legend?
#WordyExplorers #SouthDakota #ExploreSD #ExploreSouthDakota #JesseJames #SplitRockPark #USSJesseJames #CaptainBruce