Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-12-14
A WONDERFUL ROAD.
Cut In Sandstone Around the Sides or
Babel Mountain.

Cut In Sandstone Around the Sides or
Babel Mountain.
Scientific men have got SO that they
are not surprised at anything from
anyone. If man were to say he had
discovered road that led into the CEN
ter of the earth from somewhere in the
Superstitious mountains most archRolo.
gists would Immediately go and inves-
tigate, and it is possible they would
find the report true They would
never think of the incredibility of
the story because SO many strange
things are turning up every day that
anything seems possible in that strange
land.
The most recent researches have
caused many to believe that the pre-
historic tribes of Arizona and Mexico
were closely connected with the ancient
Phenicians. Indeed it seems to be
a positive fact that the strange people
who SO long ago occupied a large por-
ton of our country were direct de-
scendants of those great travellers Of
the past. Evidence to prove this does
not seem to be lacking, but there are
also many things to make the matter
most confusing. One of these is noun
tain that has had roads cut on its sides
like the tower of Babel. Whether or
not it was done by people who had
heard of or seen the original must al
ways remain a mystery. But it is a
most interesting curiosity and will no
doubt throw light upon many things
when it has been more carefully ex-
amined.
Cattlemen and miners have known
of its existence for years. but of course
did not examine it for the benefit OF
science. The first photographs of the
mountain were taken few weeks age
by E. T. Cotton. of Los Angeles. and it
is likely that a careful exploration will
soon be made.
The mountain is situated about IF.
teen miles from Tumacacori, but SO
| near the international line that it is
not known positively whether it is in
| Arizona or Mexico; but Mr.. Cotton was
of the opinion that it was United States
| property.
Miners have always called it Babel
| mountain and it is most appropriate
| name. 1t is of a soft sandstone and
| pumice formation, and the work OF
making the road was not difficult
| task.
| The road commences in a canyon OF
the foothills and rises at an easy grade
corllscrew fashion, going around the
mountain fourteen times before the
summit is reached. The road is about
fifty feet wide when it starts at the
base and gradually get smaller until II
is only ten feet at the top.
In many places the road has beer
washed out by the storms of years, bu
it is still possible to take horse to the
top. In many places where the sides
overhang a little, the mark of The
builders pick can be plainly seen OF
the wall of rock.
| To ascend the mountain person
| must follow the road, and this is Il two
| days task, as it is about thirty miles
as near as can be calculated without
actual measurement The lowest roat
is little over three miles long when i
! goes around the mountain once. How
ever. this is very irregular and goe:
around several spurs of the mountain
The roughness of the road is indies
crioable, and horse is of no use for ;
week after the trip. The top of thu
mountain is about seven thousand fee
above the plain.
There is nothing at the top, and thu
adventurer wonders when he gets Their
what the road was built for.