An Ancient Diary In Stone: USAFA’s Cathedral Rock

Best known for the “Run to the Rock,” a key rite-of-passage milestone in Doolie-year training, Cathedral Rock, has an interesting history.

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The imposing 120-foot high formation is made of volcanic clay and sandstone.  The geologic wonder at the west end of Jacks Valley has had, and continues to have, importance to Native American tribes.  Later, pioneers would visit the site.  Many of them would literally “sign in,” carefully carving their names or initials into the hardened clay, sometimes adding a date.  For example, Lewis Flegell was a pioneer who lived during the 1870s in what today is Douglass Valley.  He signed the rock numerous times.  Mr. Jerome C. Kinner signed the rock in 1921.  He had a general store and gas station in the now-ghost town of Husted near what today is the North Gate.  Albert and Jeannine Bishop lived near Cathedral Rock in the late 1800s.  They not only carved their names, but added a little heart and their three children’s names: Oscar, Lillian and Phineas.  Jack Anthony, Class of ‘78, and archeologist Dr. Bill Arbogast of the University of Colorado are among the researchers who have studied the many pioneer signatures on the rock, a section of which Jack calls “Signature Wall.”  Unfortunately, like the nearby flatiron, Cathedral Rock is off limits to visitors.  It is near the firing range, and the layers of sandstone are easily damaged, making it an environmentally and culturally sensitive area.  Despite that, Cathedral Rock remains a cherished Academy landmark.

 

 

 

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