NEWS

Wolf Rock Cave once a habitation for Louisiana's early people

Melinda Martinez
Alexandria Town Talk

Looking for somewhere to take your family?  Wolf Rock Cave may be your answer.  

Wolf Rock Cave is two rock overhangings near Bundick's Creek located in Vernon Parish near Pitkin.

A brochure from the U.S. Forest Service states that archaeological evidence indicates that it may have been used as a habitation by Archaic people during the late Archaic time period and dates to 2500-1000 BC. It is also the only know rock shelter in Louisiana that was used by the state's early people.

Wolf Rock Cave is two rock over-hangings near Bundick's Creek located in Vernon Parish near Pitkin. A brochure from the U.S. Forest Service states that archaeological evidence indicates that it may have been used as a habitation by Archaic people during the Late Archaic time period and dates to 2500-1000 BC. It is also the only known rock shelter in Louisiana that was used by the state's early people. Wolf Rock Cave was part of what is known as the Catahoula Formation and was created by erosive processes nearly 30 million years ago.

The Archaic people, states the brochures, were hunter-gathers who lived in nomadic groups. These people also created stone tools and ornaments such as axes, bone needles, fishhooks, beads and hairpins. They also made baskets.

Wolf Rock Cave is two rock over-hangings near Bundick's Creek located in Vernon Parish near Pitkin. A brochure from the U.S. Forest Service states that archaeological evidence indicates that it may have been used as a habitation by Archaic people during the Late Archaic time period and dates to 2500-1000 BC. It is also the only known rock shelter in Louisiana that was used by the state's early people. Wolf Rock Cave was part of what is known as the Catahoula Formation and was created by erosive processes nearly 30 million years ago.

 They made baskets to carry and store seeds, roots, fruits, and nuts. They cracked nut shells with specially shaped stones, and ground nuts and seeds into meal with grinding stones.

Wolf Rock Cave was part of what is known as the Catahoula Formation and was created by erosive processes nearly 30 million years ago, according to the brochure. Sediments deposited by rivers and streams during what is called the Oligocene period formed the Catahoula formation which can be found in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, is made up of sandstones, sand, clays and conglomerates.

Wolf Rock Cave is two rock over-hangings near Bundick's Creek located in Vernon Parish near Pitkin. A brochure from the U.S. Forest Service states that archaeological evidence indicates that it may have been used as a habitation by Archaic people during the Late Archaic time period and dates to 2500-1000 BC. It is also the only known rock shelter in Louisiana that was used by the state's early people. Wolf Rock Cave was part of what is known as the Catahoula Formation and was created by erosive processes nearly 30 million years ago.

The brochure also states that the Catahoula Formation forms a belt across central Louisiana and reveals that beaches and deltas were located 125 miles farther inland than today's coastline.

How to get there

To get to Wolf Rock Cave from Alexandria, take Highway 28 West to Leesville. In Leesville, head south on Highway 171 to Pickering. Turn east on La. Highway 10, also known as Pitkin Road. There will be a sign for Wolf Rock Cave pointing to the next turn at Forest Road 421. After turning onto FR 421, take the left road also known as Johnsonville Road. The Wolf Cave Creek parking area will be on the right.