Big Basin - Clark County, KS - Kansas Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

This Kansas Historical Marker gives some history and information on Big Basin, a large natural sinkhole. Little Basin and St. Jacob's Well are nearby. A web site that describes both is here.

Marker Name: Big Basin Marker Type: Roadside Marker text: This marker stands within a geological feature known as the Big Basin, which is a singhole or "sink" about a mile in diameter and more than a hundred feet deep. Although it has the appearance of a valley, it is entirely surrounded by higher ground. Like several other smaller sinks in this section of Kansas, Big Basin was formed thousands of years ago by the dissolving and collapse of massive gypsum and salt formations lying several hundred feet beneath the surface. Just beyond the east rim of Big Basin is a smaller sink know as Little basin. It contains "St. Jacob's Well," a pool of water never known to have gone dry. Archeological finds indicate that St. Jacob's well has attracted visitors for many centuries, beginning with prehistoric peoples and continuing into the early days of European settlement. Although located on the eastern edge of the High Plains, Big Basin and Little Basin exhibit the physical characteristics of the Red Hills region located a short distance to the south and east, where rock formations of white gypsum and gray dolomite alternate with brick-red shales, siltstones, and sandstones to create a visually striking butte-and-mesa topography unlike any other in Kansas. Erected by Kansas State Historical Society & Kansas Department of Transportation Marker Location: Clark Name of agency setting marker: Kansas State Historical Society Year Marker Placed: Not listed Official Marker Number: Not listed Marker Web Address: Not listed

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