| According to the Petrified Forest
National Park brochure, since its "discovery" in the 1800s,
U.S. Army map-makers and surveyors carried stories back east about the
remarkable "Painted Desert and its trees turned to stone."
Pioneers, ranchers, sightseers and looters hauled out the beautiful,
multi-colored stones by the wagon-load for souvenirs and numerous
commercial ventures. By the time the National Park
was established and laws had been passed to protect what was left, much
of the forest was gone. Today, numerous signs warn park visitors
that all vehicles leaving the park are subject to search. Strict fines
await anyone who attempts to take the stones from the natural resting
places into which the waters and ravages of time and weather have
deposited them. But in nearby towns, acres of petrified stones litter
the yards behind old wooden storefronts, where rocks of all sizes are
for sale.
The Raven, accustomed to well-stocked tourists, wanted food, and was not shy about asking for it. Click on the small picture to see the full sized version. Use your browser's back button to return to this page. |
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| Agate House
My visit to Agate House was the initial inspiration for my new novel, "Painted Desert." You can read an excerpt of this book project by clicking here. The marker at Agate House reads: "A House of Gems. This structure, called Agate house, is a partial reconstruction of an Indian pueblo built here almost ten centuries ago. Indians built dwelling walls like these of petrified wood sealed with mud mortar. Archeologists believe the original eight-room pueblo was built between A.D. 1050 and 1300. The absence of a kiva (underground ceremonial chamber) and the relatively small amount of cultural debris found at Agate House indicate a brief occupancy. Reconstruction of its rooms occurred after archeological excavation in 1934." |
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| Agate Bridge
The marker at Agate Bridge reads: "Centuries of scouring floodwaters washed out the arroyo, or gully, beneath this 110-foot (34 meter) petrified log to form Agate Bridge. The stone log, harder than the sandstone around it, resisted erosion and remained suspended as the softer rock beneath it washed away. Enthusiastic visitors fascinated by Agate Bridge worked to preserve it through the establishment of Petrified Forest National Monument in 1906. Conservationists felt this ages-old natural bridge needed architectural support and in 1911 erected masonry pillars beneath the log. In 1917 the present concrete span replaced the masonry work. Current National Park Service philosophy allows the natural forces that create unusual features to continue. If discovered today, Agate Bridge would be left in its natural state. Eventually the natural forces that created Agate Bridge will cause it to fall with or without its supports. For your safety, and to help preserve the petrified log, please stay off the bridge." |
