| Shelter Rock | |
| Designation1 Offname: | Town of North Hempstead Designated Landmark |
| Coordinates: | 40.7893°N -73.6911°W |
| Location: | Shelter Rock Road, Manhasset, New York |
| Designation1 Date: | March 27, 2007 |
| Formed: | ~ 11,000 – 20,000 years before present |
| Height: | 55 feet (17 m) |
| Designation1 Type: | Municipal |
Shelter Rock is a landmarked rock shelter of granite in Manhasset, New York, United States, 10feet from Shelter Rock Road, near the border with the Incorporated Village of North Hills.[1]
The rock is a glacial erratic estimated to weigh 1800ST and has a 30feet overhang. It is 55feet high and 35feet wide. It was deposited by glacial action between 20,000 and 11,000 years ago. Members of the Matinecock had a settlement nearby and a number of legends about the rock arose among both the Native Americans and the European colonists.[2] Native Americans used the rock as shelter from the elements, possibly as early as 1000 B.C.
The boulder is located on Greentree, a private estate once owned by the Whitney family. The top of the boulder is just visible from Shelter Rock Road, more so in the colder parts of the year when the vegetation recedes. While it is not publicly accessible, the Greentree Foundation does arrange special tours for scouts, school and other small groups from time to time.
On March 27, 2007, Shelter Rock was declared a Town of North Hempstead Designated Landmark by the Town of North Hempstead Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission.[3] [4]