Historical View Site: Pulpit Rock / Witches Cave

The above sign is located at the Pony Express Station – Weber at Echo, Utah
Below is another historic marker in Echo stating:

Pulpit Rock

Nestled at the base of these cliffs on the north side of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks stood the great historic Pulpit Rock. Pulpit Rock was an important landmark along the Hastings-Mormon trail. Pulpit Rock was close to the tracks and was considered hazardous to the Union Pacific Railroad. The famous landmark was blasted out December 1936, by Wheelright Construction in order to lower the road.

Many engraved and painted names can be seen along the back side, some of which date back to the trail days. Most, however, are from the 20th Century.

Henry T. Williams in 1879 wrote:
“Pulpit Rock” is so called from its resemblance to an old-fashioned pulpit, and rises in plain view as you go round the curve into Weber Valley. It is a tradition among a good many people, that the “Prophet of the Lord,” who now presides over the church of “The Latter Day Saints,” in Salt Lake City, once preached to the assembled multitude from this exalted eminence; but, while we dislike to spoil a story that lends such a charm to the place, and clothes it with historic interest, nevertheless, such is not a fact. The oldest and most faithful Mormons we could find in Echo know nothing of any such transaction.