Richland County Discovery Area

Elephant Trunk Rock

Hwy 58, Neptune, WI

From US 14 take Hwy 58 north around seven miles. The Rock is on Hwy 58, about 1.5 miles north of the right-hand intersection of Hwy N, between Devine Lane and Jaquish Hollow Rd.

Coordinates: 43.36527787226514° N, -90.26560919118123° W

Elephant Trunk Rock is located in a valley carved out by Willow Creek and its tributaries and is one of the most well-known rock outcroppings in the county. Elephant Trunk Rock was not always known by that name. An article in the ”Richland Democrat” from 1935 quotes the following told by a pioneer settler of the county that in a very early date it was called “The Devils Hitching Post.” “Children were told that when there was a death in the community, a man on a black horse tied his mount there and wandered over the hills and valleys, bringing the death angel. Tradition says a man once saw the horse tied there and approached to investigate. The horse seemed friendly and the stranger advanced to inspect and admire the animal, when a man appeared above on the cliff and the horse turned and kicked, striking the investigator and bringing death.

Such is the story told by mothers of the Devil’s Hitching Post some eighty years ago to their children.” Elephant Trunk Rock’s existence was threatened in 1923 when the owner, Peter Ruetten, was taken to court to argue the rock should be blasted out of the way in order to straighten the road, then a rutted, winding dirt road. A newspaper report of that time stated the argument was that “the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, and that all roads should be that shortest distance.” The article went on to say, “Transforming the crooked, sandy road, which curved between and around the interfering rocks, into a straight well-graded turnpike, was an accomplishment everyone approved until Elephant Trunk Rock was approached. When it became known it was the next obstacle to be removed, all residents in the vicinity rose against the plan. However, it was reported “Blasting was begun. A portion of the rock crumbled before agitation become so violent that the blasting was ordered to be delayed.” The article continued, “ At last so much pressure was brought to bear that it was carried to the state highway commission which ordered Elephant Trunk Rock should remain. A sign bearing the name of the rock was planted near its base.”

Any fees?: No, it’s free!

Accessible?: Can be seen from the pullout.

Dog Friendly?: Yes

More Info: 

http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/wyalusing/

https://ci.richland-center.wi.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Elephant-Trunk-Rock.pdf