Chimney Rock
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History of Chimney Rock
Colorado’s Chimney Rock can be found between the towns of Durango and Pagosa Springs, Colorado in the southwest corner of the state. The large stone mound has two spires, which have been named Chimney Rock and Companion Rock. Designated an archaeological area and national historic site in 1970, Chimney rock is a San Juan National Forest Archaeological Area and covers 4,100 acres of land surrounded by the Southern Ute Indian Reservation.
Throughout the centuries the landmarks held spiritual meaning and have been guideposts and shrines to a variety of peoples. These kinds of spires were and are important to many tribes of American Indians. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe, which owns the land surrounding the Chimney Rock area, holds the pinnacles and ruins sacred as well.
The spires may have been shrines to the Twin War gods. Ancestors of the present-day Pueblo Indians lived for centuries around the base of the spires. Almost 1,000 years ago the Anasazi built a pueblo structure on the prominence 700 feet above the valley floor. The Indians built over 200 homes to be near the sacred rock pinnacles. Housing approximately 2,000 ancient Pueblo Indians between A.D. 925 and 1125, the settlement included the Great House with round ceremonial rooms, known as kivas and 36 ground-floor rooms. These homes and work camps have been discovered near ancient farming areas. Four sites have been excavated and preserved to give visitors to the area a look at the past. These sites include Great Kiva, Pit House, Ridge House and Great House Pueblo.
Through the years the spires have served as landmarks for Spanish explorers and missionaries and helped guide prospectors searching for silver and gold in the San Juan Mountains.
In 1970 the U.S. Forest Service stepped in to combat the erosion that has occurred over the centuries. Along with the University of Colorado, they began repairs and restoration of the excavated structures.