Newspapers in Holliday

Final transfer of land containing the famed Indian cliff carvings east of Holliday was made Friday, December 28, 1972, with the buyer. Leo Drey, of St. Louis, placing the title in a foundation so they will be preserved for all time.

Drey, St. Louis conservationist and philanthropist, bought 116 acres of land from the farm owned by Jack Reynolds, a tract on which the carvings are located, and also 75 acres of land from Mr. and Mrs. Benton Dickerson adjoining the Reynolds tract and Teaching a nearby road for access. The entire tract is now in a foundation which contains 191 acres.

The carvings were made hundreds of years ago on the cliff walls of the branch known as Rocky, and are considered among the rarest and possibly the oldest in the Midwest. Their existence was known for several years, but they were not photographed until 1940. The Missouri Archeological Society learned about them and has done extensive investigation and analysis of the carvings.

On April 11, 1973, Rocky was officially designated a Natural Area which means it will be preserved in its natural state.

An acre of land, donated by Paul Callison of Holliday, and Charles Callison of the National Audobon Society, New York. lies adjacent to Rocky and provides parking space for visitors.