Teter Rock Teter rock juts out of the ground very high on a hill in the Flint Hills. It was used a long time ago as a way to show settlers where they were because it was very easy to get lost on the prairie. Everything looked so much alike! Flint Hills Map & Education Program

But the FIRST Teter Rock didn’t look like this…as a matter of fact, it was just a bunch of rocks all piled up. They were put there by Mr. Teter to show the settlers which way to go. But a funny thing happened…the bunch of rocks soon disappeared. People began using them for building. A town called Teterville was built there.

The town sprang up quickly because of all the oil they found in the land there. These towns were called “boom towns,” and grew quickly. They were there as long as there was oil, but once the oil was gone, the people moved out and the houses soon disappeared. There is nothing left of the town but a few old foundations. You will be able to see these foundations on our trip.

This is an old oil heating tank that sits on the hill where the town once was.

Looking around the area, you will be able to see many rocks that have begun to show themselves due to the soil erosion that has taken place on the hill. Be sure to be careful while walking along and on top of these rocks! We don’t want you to fall!

You will also need to be aware of critters as you walk along on the prairie. Remember…this is THEIR home, and YOU are only visiting. Be polite. If you find any critters, don’t chase them and leave them alone.

You will find rocks….LOTS of rocks! These rocks are limestone and flint rock. The Native Americans used the flint rock to make tools and arrowheads. They may have sat on this hill to chip away at the rocks while making their tools.

These are some of the plants you will be able to find on our trip to Teter Rock in the springtime. Lead Plant

Yarrow

Prickly Pear Cactus Be SURE to watch out for this plant. If you step on it or touch it, it will HURT!!!!!!!

This is an aster. You may see many kinds of asters on the prairie.

This is Leavenworth Eryngo. It is a very pretty plant, but it would probably hurt if you touched it!

This is gayfeather. It looks like a feather !

You MIGHT see one of these….Indian Blanket Flower!

You might see some Daisy Fleabane. This plant was used by the Native Americans and settlers to keep fleas out of their tipis and cabins. People would cut it and lay it down in front of their front door.

You may see some goldenrod. It might make you sneeze!

You may see lots of sunflowers. Kansas is the sunflower state!

When we are ready to leave Teter Rock, we must make sure that we pick up any trash that we see. We want to leave our Flint Hills Prairie as beautiful as we found it!