Mantle Rock Archeological District - near Joy, Kentucky - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

Mantle Rock consists of a natural sandstone arch, woodlands, several springs, and a section of the original Salem-Golconda Road. The property is located southwest of State Route 133 in Livingston County, Kentucky, approximately one mile east of the Ohio River. Mantle Rock is located in a shallow valley in the watershed of McGilligan Creek at an elevation of approximately 450' above sea level. The property encompasses approximately 215 acres, and is now owned and protected by the Kentucky Nature Conservancy.

Mantle Rock is reached by a gravel road directly off State Route 133, west of the small crossroads community of Joy. Adjacent to the gravel road along State Route 133 is a state historic marker containing text describing the historic significance of Mantle Rock during the Trail of Tears. This freestanding marker is included as a non-contributing object to the property. The driveway leads to a gravel parking lot and a dirt trail leads from the parking lot to Mantle Rock. Approximately 600' from the parking lot the trail crosses the roadbed of the historic Salem-Golconda Road. Within the boundary of the Mantle Rock property this roadbed extends approximately 450'. The roadbed is ten to twelve feet in width and has embankments ranging up to five feet in height. This roadbed is well defined and the roadbed itself contains bushes and small trees. This roadbed was utilized by the Lt. B.B. Cannon party in 1837 and by the various detachments of the Cherokee on the Northern Route in 1838 and 1839. The roadbed is included as a contributing site to the property.

Following the roadbed, the trail passes a wood wayside marker erected within the past twenty years which describes the geology and history of Mantle Rock. This wayside exhibit is included as a non-contributing structure to the property. The trail then leads to Mantle Rock which is a natural rock formation. Mantle Rock is a 30 foot high sandstone arch which spans 188 feet in length. It is one of the longest natural arches in Kentucky and provides an ample amount of shelter beneath. In addition to Mantle Rock itself, the property contains other natural rock outcroppings and features. Several springs emerge near the base of Mantle Rock and flow into nearby McGilligan Creek. The remainder of the Mantle Rock property is covered with a hardwood forest and is accessible via hiking trails. No buildings or other structures are within the boundary of the Mantle Rock property.

- National Register Application

The Mantle Rock Archeological District, near Smithland, Kentucky is a 215 acres (0.87 km2) historic district which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.

The site is owned and protected by the Kentucky Nature Conservancy and is accessed by a gravel road off of Kentucky Route 133, just west of the small community of Joy, Kentucky. It includes a natural sandstone arch, several springs, and woodland, in a valley in the watershed of McGilligan Creek. It includes a part of the original Salem-Golconda Road. It is associated with the Cherokee Trail of Tears.

It includes a contributing site and a contributing structure.

- Mantle Rock Archeological District Wikipedia Entry

Street address: State Route 133 Joy, KY USA 42081 County / Borough / Parish: Livingston County Year listed: 2004 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Native American Prehistoric Periods of significance: 1825-1849 7500-7999 BC 7000-7499 BC 5000-6999 BC 3000-4999 BC 1000-2999 BC 1000 AD-999 BC 1499-1000 AD 1749-1500 AD Historic function: Domestic Landscape Transportation Current function: Landscape Recreation & Culture Privately owned?: yes Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Secondary Website 2: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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