The Shark's Jaws, Catskill Mountains, New York
During the last ice age of 10,000 to 12,000 years ago, receding glaciers left behind many gigantic “erratics” throughout the Catskills. Erratics can be defined as “a piece of rock that differs from the size and type of rock native to the area in which it rests.” Many examples of these rocks and boulders as well as other interesting rock formations can be found around South Mountain and the North-South Lake area. As per 19th century fashion, many of the more noteworthy erratic and formations were named, both as a means of identification but also to promote tourism. Locations such as Druid Rocks, Pudding-Stone Hall, Lemon Squeezer, Elfin Pass, Fairy Spring, Star Rock, Boulder Rock, The Sphinx, and perhaps the most popular and widely known, Alligator Rock, enthralled visitors as they hiked through the woods in and around the famed Catskill Mountain House. Many of these funky rocks are still popular hiking destinations today.
This vintage postcard titled “The Shark’s Jaws” depicts the glacial erratic that has also been known as the Whale’s Mouth but is most popularly known as Alligator Rock. The postcard was published by Curt Teich & Company located at Chicago, Illinois. The postmark on the reverse side shows that it was mailed in 1924.
