History

The Pinnacles

The Pinnacles, formerly located just west of here, consisted of a gorge with unique large boulders created during the ice age on its slopes. The strange geologic rock formations (also known as the Devil’s Backbone) overlooked the Great Miami River. The updraft created by the terrain attracted soaring birds. From 1897 to 1899 the Wright Brothers biked here and observed buzzards (turkey vultures) soaring gracefully above the river valley. In the summer of 1899 the Wrights developed their wing warping theory while watching the birds at Pinnacle Hill twist the tips of their wings as they soared into the wind.