In the early 1980's, after another round of budget cutbacks, the State of Michigan reduced the proposed budget for the site from $750,000 to $33,000 and an open pavilion over the stone was constructed.  According to a local pamphlet,  the park now receives an annual budget of $1500 and is supervised by the Port Crescent State Park manager at the northern fringe of the Huron County.

                  14 "birdlike" figures are found throughout the carvings. ©Gerry Prich

One of 20 human-type figures. ©Gerry Prich

Many theories have been speculated about the origin and/or purpose of the petroglyphs.   Some ideas have included a local "storytelling" rock (a supposed "council circle" of rocks lies 25 feet south of the slab) and a celestial calendar.

Circular carving ©Gerry Prich

Another of the stick-like human figures. ©Gerry Prich

Another theory about this collection of petroglyphs is that a huge gathering of tribes took place every 5 - 10 years.  Some historians say that this occurred with tribes east of the Mississippi River and covered a wide region.  What is known, is that Indians still in the area in the early 1900's knew of the place, but did not know the history of the carvings.  They did treat it as a sacred place.

Page 1           Page 3