Tower Rock facts for kids
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Mississippi River, Brazeau Township, Perry County, Missouri, United States |
| Coordinates | 37°37′54″N 89°30′53″W / 37.63167°N 89.51472°W |
| Highest elevation | 344 ft (104.9 m) |
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United States
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| State | Missouri |
| County | Perry |
| Demographics | |
| Population | (0) |
| Additional information | |
| Official website | |
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Tower Rock
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Tower-Rock, view on the Mississippi (circa 1832): aquatint by Karl Bodmer from the book "Maximilian, Prince of Wied’s Travels in the Interior of North America, during the years 1832–1834"
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| Location | Brazeau Township, Perry County, Missouri |
| Nearest city | Wittenberg, Missouri |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000344 |
| Added to NRHP | February 26, 1970 |
Tower Rock, also known as Grand Tower, is a special rock formation and island. It sits in the Mississippi River in Perry County, Missouri. This landmark is near the town of Wittenberg, Missouri. It is also across the river from Grand Tower, Illinois. In 1970, Tower Rock was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site.
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Many Names for Tower Rock
Over hundreds of years, Tower Rock has had many different names. People have called it:
- Cap de Roche
- Cap St. Croix la Tour
- La Roche de la Croix
- Rock of St. Cosme
- Castle Rock
- Devil's Tower
Early European Discoveries
The first time Europeans wrote about Tower Rock was in 1673. A French missionary named Jacques Marquette mentioned it. He wrote about a place that Native Americans feared. They believed a "manitou," or spirit, lived there. This spirit was thought to "devour travelers."
Marquette's Description
Marquette described a small cove surrounded by tall rocks. The river's strong current rushed into this cove. It then got pushed back by the water and an island nearby. The water had to squeeze through a narrow channel. This created a loud noise that scared the Native Americans.
Planting a Cross
Later, in 1698, French-Canadian priests visited the rock. Fathers Montigny, Davion, and St. Cosme planted a cross on the island.
Devil's Backbone Ridge
Right across the river from Tower Rock is a ridge. It is called Devil's Backbone.
Tower Rock's History
The first Europeans to live on the island were a group of outlaws. They were forced off land west of the Mississippi River. This spot was a good place for them to hide and plan attacks. The United States Army sent soldiers called dragoons. They destroyed this outlaw hideout in 1803. The soldiers likely came from Fort Kaskaskia upriver.
Rivermen's Celebrations
Meriwether Lewis, a famous explorer, wrote about Tower Rock in his journals. He said that rivermen would celebrate when they passed the rock. It was like sailors celebrating when they crossed the equator. They would often raise a drink to mark the occasion.
A New "Plymouth Rock"
In 1838 and 1839, Lutherans from Germany came to America. They were looking for a place where they could freely practice their religion. They landed at Tower Rock. For them, this island was like their own "Plymouth Rock." It was a symbol of their new beginning.
Walking to Tower Rock
Sometimes, the water levels in the Mississippi River get very low. When this happens, it is possible to walk out to Tower Rock. Mike Keeley, who manages the Tower Rock National Historic Site, said this happens about once a year. He mentioned this in a newspaper article in 2003.
