White people found it in 1902. The people who already lived there had known about it for generations and held it sacred, so naturally the white folk took and sold it a few times.
It has long been held sacred by indigenous peoples of the Willamette Valley, including the federally recognized Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon
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The meteorite is on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City
Apparently researcher believe it landed on an ice cap and was transported by glaciers to where it came to rest. So unfortunately any crater melted away thousands of years ago 😅
This meteorite was revered as a sacred object by the indigenous peoples who surrounded its original landing spot and rituals such as dipping arrowheads in the rain-filled cavities was common to help bring success in hunting or battle. Then some white guy showed up and and came into possession of it by simply buying the land it stood on, which then made the meteorite legally his to do what he wanted with, so he sold it to the American Museum of Natural History in NYC. For many years, the native groups that used to revere the meteorite fought in court to get it back to its original resting place. Eventually, they reached an agreement with the AMNH to formally sign over ownership if they ever decide to take it off display. They also host private after-hours visits each year for the local native peoples. Personally, though, I feel that the museum now simply has more motivation to never ever take it off display. I’d be surprised if it comes back any time in the next 100 years, unfortunately.
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