Courthouse and Jail Rocks

thumb|300px|Courthouse and Jail Rocks (2004) 
Courthouse and Jail Rocks are two rock formations located near Bridgeport, Nebraska.
The Oregon-California Trail, the Mormon Trail, the Pony Express Trail and the Sidney-Deadwood Trail all ran near the rocks. The pair of rock formations served as a landmark along the trails for many pioneers traveling west in the 1800s. Many travelers would stray as much as five miles (8 km) from the Oregon Trail just to get a glimpse of the rocks.
Hundreds of westward-bound emigrants mentioned Courthouse Rock (originally also McFarlan's Castle) in their travel logs and journals. The name "Courthouse" was first used in 1837.Mattes, M.J. 1987. The Great Platte River Road. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, p. 348 In 1845, one traveler described the rock as "resembling the ruins of an old castle [which] rises abruptly from the plain....It is difficult to look upon it and not believe that art had something to do with its construction. The voyagers have called it the Courthouse; but it looks infinitely more like the Capitol."Mattes, M.J. 1987. The Great Platte River Road. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, p. 349-350
Courthouse and Jail Rocks, which rise 400 feet (121 m) above the North Platte Valley, are composed of Brule clay, Gering sandstone and volcanic ash. The rock formations are listed in the National Register of Historic Places and in the Nebraska Natural Areas Register.
The formation was the site of a rare microburst event on May 19, 2009, where wind speeds were sustained at over 60 mph for approximately 15 minutes, including several bursts over 80 mph and an incredible burst of 91 mph. This event was documented by a meteorologist on-site and a Weather Channel film crew.
==References==
==See also==
*Landmarks of the Nebraska Territory
*Chimney Rock National Historic Site
*Butte
==External links==
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Category:California Trail
Category:Landmarks in Nebraska
Category:Mormon Trail
Category:Morrill County, Nebraska
Category:Oregon Trail
Category:National Register of Historic Places in Nebraska
Category:Rock formations in Nebraska
Category:Latter Day Saint movement in Nebraska