In 1973, the historic dinosaur quarries on the Dakota Hogback were designated a National Natural Landmark, the Morrison Fossil Area. This honor remained virtually unknown to the public until a plaque was finally dedicated in May 2004. The plaque was placed by National Park Service personnel on the interpretive area at the site of Quarry 5, where bones of Stegosaurus were discovered in 1877. Today, of course, we know the area as Dinosaur Ridge, and it is managed and interpreted by the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge. See also waymarking.com at their historical marker, or at their NNL page.

National Park Service personnel at the dedication in May 2004

Joe Tempel of Dinosaur Ridge and
Matthew Mossbrucker of the Morrison Natural History Museum
at the dedication

The plaque on the monument reads:

MORRISON FOSSIL AREA
HAS BEEN DESIGNATED A

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NATIONAL NATURAL LANDMARK

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THIS SITE POSSESSES EXCEPTIONAL VALUE
AS AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE NATION'S NATURAL
HERITAGE AND CONTRIBUTES TO A BETTER
UNDERSTANDING OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

1973
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Plaque Detail