Pompey’s Pillar (locally known also as Pampus' Pillar or Pampey’s Pillar) is an impressive formation of Laurel Limestone almost 30 feet tall perched on a hill 40 feet above Honey Creek in Northwestern Ripley County south of the town of Millhousen. It sits on an oval base 30 feet long and ten feet wide on top of older limestone from the Silurian Age. An interesting observation is that the Pillar is not within site any other rock of the same composition – the cliffs it was attached to an one time have been eroded away. The formation is difficult to see until you are right at the site because it is deep into a dense stand of second-growth Oak and Sugar Maple.
The Great Ice Age ended over 10,000 years ago and the warmer temperatures brought the melting of the ice and flooding leading to erosion that produced the rugged terrain that Pompey’s Pillar occupies. Observing the site one can see Honey Creek below and visualize the landscape before the ice retreated and the flooding/erosion began. As with other similar rock formations eventually it will fall victim to erosion itself – but in the meantime it is a wonderful site to see. The differing names the formation goes by can be attributed to the local lore of the Native Americans and Chief Pampey whose tribe used the formation as a “signal” rock from which to track movements of enemies. Local lore also tells of a cave at the base of the formation used as a hideout. Native American artifacts have been found nearby.
New educational logging requirements as of September 21, 2006 (required by Earthcache.org and Geocaching.com): To get credit for this visit you must (1) Email me the answers to the following questions: (a) What is the main mineral in limestone and (b) how many years ago was the Silurian age. I retain the privilege of deciding if the answers are correct. (2) My requirement - I want you to take an original photo of yourself or members of you party at the pillar or if you are alone, holding your GPSr in the shot. The photo should be posted within 48 hours of logging the cache and the same time to send me the quiz answers. If you need more time, email me for approval or your log may be deleted.
The site is only about one-quarter mile from Brownstown Rd. but the last 100 feet or so is fairly steep and doesn't have a very good path. This is why I am rating the terrain a 3.
The listed coordinates are for Pompey’s Pillar. The following waypoints will get you there: N39 11.435 W085 25.400 is the entrance to the driveway where you must park. Then walk down the gravel drive to N39 11.519 W 085 25.521. From there you will walk across a field to N39 11.528 W 085 25.547 which is where the “path” will lead you to the top and Pompey’s Pillar.
You must call ahead first and only visit during the day(812) 663-2277. The property owners graciously allow visitors to hike back to the Pillar, but they want you to call first. They went out of their way to guide me to the Pillar – even giving me some historical data on it. Enjoy your visit!!