kids encyclopedia robot

Castle Rock (Kansas) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
This article is about Castle Rock (disambiguation)|Castle Rock. For other uses, see Castle Rock (Kansas) (disambiguation).
Quick facts for kids
Castle Rock
Castlerock2005.jpg
Castle Rock in 2005
Highest point
Elevation 2,434 ft (742 m)
Prominence 70 ft (21 m)
Geography
Castle Rock is located in Kansas
Castle Rock
Castle Rock
Location in Kansas
Castle Rock is located in the United States
Castle Rock
Castle Rock
Location in the United States
Geology
Age of rock Cretaceous
Mountain type Erosional remnant

Castle Rock is a famous natural landmark in Gove County, Kansas, United States. It's a tall pillar made of chalk, standing about 21 meters (70 feet) high. This amazing rock formation and the nearby badlands are found in a part of Kansas called the Smoky Hills. You can find Castle Rock about 18 kilometers (11 miles) south of I-70 near Quinter, Kansas.

What is Castle Rock?

Castle Rock was an important landmark for travelers long ago. It was a guidepost on the Butterfield Overland Despatch route, also known as the Overland Trail. Imagine pioneers using this unique rock to know where they were going!

How Castle Rock Formed

The chalk that makes up Castle Rock was laid down a very long time ago. This happened when an ancient inland sea covered this area. Over millions of years, the sea dried up, leaving behind layers of chalk.

Then, wind and water slowly carved out the rock. This process is called weathering. It shaped the chalk into the tall, castle-like pillar you see today. People named it Castle Rock because it looks like a grand castle rising from the flat prairie.

Changes Over Time

Castle Rock is a natural wonder, but it's also changing. The wind and water keep shaping it. Also, people climbing on the rocks can cause more wear and tear. In 2001, after a big thunderstorm, the tallest part of Castle Rock actually fell down. This shows how nature continues to change these formations.

A Kansas Wonder

On January 29, 2008, Castle Rock got a special honor. It was named one of the "8 Wonders of Kansas." This means it's considered one of the most amazing places to see in the state. Another cool rock formation, Monument Rocks, which is about 50 kilometers (31 miles) west, also received this honor at the same time.

Images for kids

  • Castle Rock, Kansas, on the Smoky Hill, 385 miles west of Missouri River. (Boston Public Library)

    Castle Rock, 1867

  • 108 Castle Rock, KS 14

    Castle Rock, 2009

  • Badlandsnearcastlerock20052
  • Badlandsnearcastlerock20053
  • Castlerockbadlands2005
  • Bluffsnearcastlerock
kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Castle Rock (Kansas) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.