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All the United States Arkansas Pocahontas Pocahontas 'Meteorite'

Pocahontas 'Meteorite'

Despite what scientists think, the town still says this is an extraterrestrial rock.

Pocahontas, Arkansas

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meltingknight
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The “meteor” stone on display.   Jeffrey Greenberg/UIG/Getty Images
The “meteor” stone on display.   Jeffrey Greenberg/UIG/Getty Images
The “meteor” stone on display in Pocahontas.   Jeffrey Greenberg/UIG/Getty Images
The Randolph County Courthouse in Pocahontas.   Calvin Beale/public domain
It’s a real rock!   ange1a / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Resting in the center of a rural Arkansas town is a half-ton rock that locals say fell from space.

Local legend holds that in the summer of 1859, a meteorite broke through the atmosphere and landed barely north of the town of Pocahontas. It stayed there for around 40 years until the town's stationmaster, A.H. Keith, decided to take it home and put it in his front yard.

The large rock stayed in the Keiths' yard for over half a century, during which treasure hunters whittled away around 66 percent of the rock for themselves. In 1986, the Keith family gave the rock to the local government to celebrate Arkansas' 150th anniversary.

Despite the lore, this rock is not alien. Scientists have analyzed it and came to the conclusion that it's just a normal, earthly rock. But that hasn't deterred the town of Pocahontas, which continues to proudly display the storied stone in front of their new courthouse. It's surrounded by a small fence and has a plaque that reads, "This meteor fell July 1859 in the Black River bottoms of Randolph County. It was discovered by A.H. Keith. Donated by the Keith family March 1986 in celebration of Arkansas sesquicentennial."

Related Tags

Local History Meteorites Space Rocks Geology

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The stone is in front of the Art Deco-style county courthouse, near the veteran's memorial.

Community Contributors

Added By

meltingknight

Edited By

macbook287, Meg, ange1a

  • macbook287
  • Meg
  • ange1a

Published

December 6, 2018

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Sources
  • http://www.seerandolphcounty.com/2015/11/11/the-sky-was-falling-in-pocahontas/
  • https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/25726
Pocahontas 'Meteorite'
107 W Broadway St C
Pocahontas, Arkansas
United States
36.260775, -90.971315
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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Arkansas

Arkansas

United States

Places 79
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Explore the Destination Guide

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