photo #5085483

128 YEARS AGO TODAY. On September 28, 1895 a strong storm whipped across Dakota County, causing Castle Rock to topple. This 1870 photo shows the 45-foot-tall spire, which attracted thousands of tourists to Dakota County in the late 1800's.Among the most sacred spots in Dakota County, Castle Rock was known to the Dakota as Inyan Bosndata or “Rock-standing-on-end."The formation came to be known as Castle Rock by white settlers and was among Minnesota’s most revered features by both Native Americans and early settlers alike. On a clear day it could be seen from as far away as St. Paul.What's left of this rock formation is located at the point where 275th Street and Cambodia Avenue join in Castle Rock, south of Farmington, on private property. Unfortunately, it is now barely visible, but nonetheless remains sacred.Notably, Castle Rock was not the only spire of its kind in Dakota County. Another is Chimney Rock near Hastings, which remains standing to this day, and was recently preserved by Dakota County and the State of Minnesota with help from grant funds. Additional information is available at: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snas/detail.html?id=sna02040. I visit Chimney Rock every summer.