In Tar and Paint and Stone: The Inscriptions at Independence Rock and Devil's Gate

In Tar and Paint and Stone: The Inscriptions at Independence
      Rock and Devil's Gate

In Tar and Paint and Stone: The Inscriptions at Independence Rock and Devil's Gate

By Levida Hileman

In an indispensable book for genealogists and trail buffs, Levida Hileman presents a comprehensive history of Independence Rock, plus an alphabetical listing of over 2,000 names she and other surveyors have found inscribed on the Rock “in tar and paint and stone.”

She took the challenge one step further by searching diaries, histories, census and cemetery records for traces of the inscribers. That biographical information plus historic photographs supplement the inscription list.

Weary travelers, on their long journey across the plains, found Independence Rock a place of rest during the trail years. It was one of a handful of natural landmarks that attracted the attention of virtually every mountain man, trapper, explorer, missionary, pioneer emigrant, and soldier who followed the Platte River–South Pass trails in the early 1800s.

  • • 0-931271-61-4 • trade paper • index • many photos • bibliography • 352 pp • $19.95 ORDER NOW
In Tar and Paint and Stone: The Inscriptions at Independence
      Rock and Devil's Gate

In Tar and Paint and Stone: The Inscriptions at Independence Rock and Devil's Gate

By Levida Hileman

“It takes the right person, at the right time, at the right place, to fill a gap in the literature of the historical trails. Levida Hileman has done just that…thorough, well researched, and written in an easy-to-read style…. If you are a serious student of the western emigration, you will want this book. "
•• Dr Roland R. Lund, President-Elect Oregon-California Trails Assn.

Levida Hileman

Levida Hileman

Levida Hileman has been a member of the Oregon California Trails Association since the Wyoming Chapter was founded in 1987, having served both as secretary and as president of this group. She is a past member of the National Board of Directors of the Oregon California Trails Association and is also a past member of the Board of Directors for the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper.

Levida is a retired teacher and enjoys going into local classrooms to talk about the trail and speaking to community groups. For three years she was the Trails instructor for the summer Elderhostel Program held at Casper College, and she taught a class, The Emigrant Trails, for two years at Casper College in the evening program.

She and her hasband now live in New Mexico.

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