“I Spy THE ROCK,” exclaims Cathy Strachan about December’s feature. It’s “at the corner of Washtenaw Avenue and Hill Street,” writes Dave Sweeton, who was excited to hear of the time capsule underneath. David Karl explains that the rock is “a chunk of Canadian Limestone removed from the gravel pit on Pontiac Trail [now Olsen Park] in 1932 by Eli Gallup,” then Ann Arbor parks superintendent. “It’s a memorial to honor George Washington’s 200th birthday.”
It’s a “Noble Rock,” says Annemarie Stoll. Stoll says she’s “never participated directly” in painting it, but Catherine Yanca has a “layer under there somewhere.”
“I often wonder how big the rock is and how much of it is just … paint,” says Genevieve Stewart. “If I lived anywhere other than Ann Arbor,” writes David Cooke, “I’d likely identify the photo as lime flowing inside a cave,” rather than drips at the base of an oft-painted boulder.
We received twenty-nine entries identifying the Rock. Our random drawing winner, Betsy Williams, will enjoy her $25 gift certificate at Arbor Farms. For more information on the rock and Eli Gallup, see historic footage of its move on YouTube, narrated by Al Gallup, Eli’s son.
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To enter this month’s contest, use the photo and clue on the Back Page of the January issue and send your entry to the address at the bottom of the page.
