News : River lovers seek to preserve Cedar history in new display

Water enthusiasts begin their Cedar River tour Sunday, as they seek to document historic locations.

Have you ever been to Horse Thief Caves?

Have you ever sent a Lover’s Leap post card?

What do you know about the Mouth of Pit or Timbuc?

Younger local residents might be surprised to learn that the above names are among many spots along the Cedar River that water enthusiasts have been enjoying – and naming – for generations.

Now, a group of local residents has begun a project to help make sure that these almost-forgotten spots are never forgotten.

A dozen of them boated along the Cedar River on Sunday, photographing, documenting and sharing their memories of their travels.

The goal: Creating a relief map that will be put on display in a small new building at Celebration Park. That structure, says Ann Harrison, will include a metal relief-style map of the river showing many of the named sites that are familiar to those who have been canoeing or boating the river for years. Artist Brian Parr is among those involved in the project.

The group hopes that people who are familiar with these and other spots along the river will share what they remember to help make the river history more complete.

Harrison said that many of the places listed below are in history books; she also recently saw a Lover’s Leap post card.

River locations mentioned on maps of Benton County include: Harder Springs, Webb’s Bayou, Noeller Rocks, Knupp’s Cabin, Crow Creek, Lover’s Leap, Wyman’s, Horse Thief Cavbes, Brox Rocks, Mouth of Pit, Timbuc (or Timbuctu), Big Island, Big Rock, Wolf Creek, Sauer’s Rocks, Lime Creek, Tobin’s Cabin, the Old Mount Auburn Bridge.

The group also hopes to document other locations, including Prairie Creek, Dulin’s Island and Mud Creek.

Anyone with more information can email us at vintontoday@hotmail.com and we will pass on your comments to the organizers.

Vinton Parks and Recreation Director Brad Barker said that he and the Parks and Rec Board are excited about the project. The Vinton Guild of Fine Arts is leading the effort to build the project, and will begin fund-raising soon, Barker said.

Look for more information about this project in the near future.