Battery Rock, Limestone cliff in Hardin County, Illinois, US
Battery Rock is a limestone cliff in Hardin County that rises dramatically above the Ohio River, featuring a sheer vertical wall with distinct geological layers. The formation showcases the natural stratification of rock that reveals the geological history of the region.
The cliff was recognized in the 1840s as a strategic vantage point for monitoring river traffic and activity along the Ohio River. Its historical importance led to its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
Local residents gather annually at Battery Rock for traditional spring celebrations, maintaining connections with early Illinois settler communities.
Access to the cliff is via Bend of the River Road, which provides parking areas and walking trails to different vantage points. The paths are marked and offer several ways to view the rock formation from various angles.
The rock face contains fossils of marine organisms from the Mississippian period, approximately 350 million years ago. These petrified remains allow visitors to witness the deep geological past directly at the site.
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