Chimney Rock Archaeological Area

CHIMNEY ROCK
-- MODERN CHRONOLOGY --

Following is a modern chronology of Chimney Rock Archaeological Area excavations, stabilizations, and improvements:

	1921		Jean Allard Jeancon (pronounced Jensen), sponsored by the Colorado Historical and Natural History Society (now the State Historical Society), began excavations at the Great House Pueblo, the causeway, the Guard House, and other sites in the area.
	1922		Frank H. H. Roberts Jr., began excavation and survey work that lasted eight years, surveying a wide area that extended outward from the high mesa.
	1925		Jeancon started work again, and he and Roberts worked sporadically in the area until the early thirties.



Great House Pueblo Before Excavation/Stabilization	Great House Pueblo After Excavation/Stabilization

	1958		After a 25-year break in archaeological activity, a University of Colorado professor of Anthropology, Dr. Frank W. Eddy, began investigations in the area. He wanted to document and refine Jeancon and Roberts' early work. He played an active role in getting Chimney Rock established as an archaeological area, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
	1968-1972		The US Forest Service constructed the access road, parking lot, and retaining wall and trails with help from the Civilian Conservation Corps, Youth Conservation Corps, the Youth Job Corps through Title 10 Jobs Program, and local Boy Scout Troop 210.
	1970		Chimney Rock was established as an archaeological area by the US Department of Agriculture - Forest Service. The Chimney Rock Archaeological Area lies in the Pagosa Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest.
	1970-1972		Dr. Eddy and his students excavate the Great House Pueblo, the Ridge House, the Ravine Site, and the Salvage Site at the end of the parking lot. Since 1973, Dr. Eddy has worked and studied at Chimney Rock as time and money permitted.
	1970s		Navajo craftsmen stabilized several structures.
	1974		Nine hundred sixty acres of the High Mesa was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
	1974		In accordance with the Endangered Species Act of 1973, all lands within one-half mile of the twin pinnacles were set aside to protect the eyrie of endangered Peregrine Falcons. The public is not permitted past the Ridge House from March 1 to September 30 of each year, unless accompanied by a certified tour guide.
	Late 1980s		US Forest Service archaeologists Sharon Hatch and Gary Matlock worked on stabilization.
	1987		The original Forest Service fire lookout tower, built by the CCC in 1939 and abandoned in 1959, was reconstructed and opened for visitor use.
	1988		Dr. J. McKim "Kim" Malville, professor of astrophysics at the University of Colorado, connected Chimney Rock to the practice of archaeoastronomy. He theorized that the Ancestral Puebloans probably used Chimney Rock's pinnacles in the observation of astronomical events called "lunar standstills." (Read Dr. Malville's narrative description of his Chimney Rock discoveries.)
	1988-1989		Dr. Eddy re-examined and test-excavated two sites along the Piedra River, refining his definition of the Chimney Rock Phase (AD 1000-1125).
	1990		Construction of a barrier-free trail (5.5 to 7 percent grade) provided wheelchair access to the lower ruins. Chimney Rock research symposium was held at Durango.
	1993-1997		A stabilization crew from Mesa Verde National Park, under the direction of Kathy Fiero, did much-needed stabilization of some excavated ruins.
	1994		The barrier-free lower trail was paved.
	1995		Designated as an official Chacoan Outlier by Congress.
	1997		The two parking lots were paved, a new visitor cabin and two new bathrooms were constructed.
	2007		Grant-funded Great House stabilization work.

Hours of Operation: In-Season May 15 - September 30, Daily 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Guided Walking Tour Schedule: 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m.
Location: 3 miles South of Hwy 160 on Hwy 151 (map)
Mailing Address: Chimney Rock Interpretive Program, P.O. Box 1662, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Phone: (970)883-5359 Visitor's Cabin In-season, (970)264-2287 Leave Message Off-season
E-mail: chimneyrock@chimneyrockco.org
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