Cave Rock – De’ek Wadapush
Cave Rock – De’ek Wadapush Overview
A sacred place to the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, cave rock is as important now as it has been for thousands of years. Named for a cave, a remnant of which can be seen above
the waterline. It also served as a landmark on the Lake Bigler Toll Road and was tunneled for the highway in 1931 and 1957.
Click here to view information on Cave Rock State Park.
Category
- Native American
- Trail/Road
Marker Type
Stone marker
Nevada Historical Marker Number
Cave Rock – De’ek Wadapush is Nevada Historical Marker #226.
Click here to view the full list of Nevada State Historical Markers.
County
GPS Coordinates
39.044977, -119.948432
Nevada Historical Marker Transcription
A sacred place to the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, cave rock is the subject of many legends. Named for a cave, a remnant of which can be seen some 200 feet above the waterline. This formation was a landmark on the Lake Bigler Toll Road in the early days. Quarried granite blocks, which support the toll road, can still be seen on the west face of cave rock. The rock was first tunneled for the construction of a highway in 1931 and the second tunnel was put through in 1957. The Washoe name for Cave Rock is De-ek Wadapush which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a Traditional Cultural Property. It is important now as it has been for thousands of years for the Washoe.
” Medicine men meditated and prayed here” and many distinct features help make up our culture, gifted basket makers, the wisdom of long-preserved legends, and our traditional way of life.
Cave Rock was one of our prominent sacred sites reflecting our traditional values of respect for the land and “da ow” (Lake Tahoe) the life-sustaining water, the center of the Washoe world (Washoe elder)
STATE HISTORICAL MARKER No. 226
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
WASHOE TRIBE OF NEVADA AND CALIFORNIA