Turnip Rock
Stack
Turnip Rock in 1906; today the trees are much taller
Turnip Rock in 1906; today the trees are much taller
Turnip Rock is located in Michigan
Turnip Rock
Turnip Rock
Location in Michigan
Coordinates: 44°04′06.04″N 82°57′32.69″W / 44.0683444°N 82.9590806°W / 44.0683444; -82.9590806
LocationPointe Aux Barques Township, Michigan
Offshore water bodiesAlaska Bay, Lake Huron

Turnip Rock is a small geological formation in Michigan. It is a stack[1] located in Lake Huron, in shallow water a few yards offshore, near the rock called the Thumbnail which is the extreme tip of Pointe Aux Barques, a small peninsula in Pointe Aux Barques Township[2] which in turn is the extreme tip of The Thumb, a large peninsula comprising several counties in eastern Michigan.[3][4][5]

Turnip Rock has been severely undercut by wave action,[6] so that its top has a significantly larger cross-section than its base. Its consequent unusual form, reminiscent of a turnip,[6][7] has made it a popular tourist attraction,[8] although it is located entirely on private property.[9] The only access to Turnip Rock is by water, and there is no public road access. A concrete collar has been built around the base of Turnip Rock at the waterline[10] to stop further undercutting.

Turnip Rock was one of twenty finalists in the 2013 "Seven Wonders of Michigan" contest sponsored by the Detroit Free Press and the Lansing State Journal,[11][12] but wasn't selected as one of the final seven.[13]

References

  1. ^ Hillstrom, Kevin; Hillstrom, Laurie (2001). Paddling Michigan. Regional Paddling. Falcon Guides. p. 37. ISBN 978-1560448389. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  2. ^ "Pointe Aux Barquest". Retrieved 2019-02-23.
  3. ^ Jennifer Hamilton (August 29, 2013). "Michigan's Seven Best Paddling Trips". Pure Michigan Blog. Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  4. ^ "Turnip Rock – Lake Huron – Michigan". Impressive. December 13, 2011. Archived from the original on February 16, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  5. ^ "Turnip Rock". Roadtrippers. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  6. ^ a b "Turnip Rock". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  7. ^ "Turnip Rock, USA". Amazing Places. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  8. ^ "Turnip Rock". Port Austin Kayaking. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  9. ^ "Pointe Aux Barques, Gated Community". Retrieved 2019-02-23.
  10. ^ "Photograph showing concrete collar". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-02-16.
  11. ^ Seth Stapleton (August 16, 2013). "Turnip Rock — surely, a state wonder". Huron Daily Tribune. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  12. ^ Louise Knott Ahern (August 7, 2013). "7 Wonders of Michigan: The Top 20". Lansing State Journal. Archived from the original on February 17, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  13. ^ Ellen Creager (August 29, 2013). "What are the 7 Wonders of Michigan? You voted; check out the results". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on August 28, 2013. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
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