Nixon vetoes I-70 designation bill, citing "slave rock" concerns

Dougtone

Gov. Jay Nixon has vetoed legislation that included designating part of I-70 as "Graham's Picnic Rock Highway."

The governor said a popular outing during the 1880s was to drive horses and buggies to the rock for a picnic. But the rock also has been called "slave rock," which comes from a widespread belief that slave auctions occurred at the site.

Nixon says the highway designation would have elevated one part of the site's history above the others.

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