[2][3] The earliest mention by Europeans of this island is by French missionary Jacques Marquette in 1673: ...we found ourselves at a river called ouaboukigou, The mouth of which is at the 36th degree of latitude.

Meriwether Lewis mentions the island in his journals, stating that rivermen who passed the rock would celebrate in a way similar to sailors crossing the equator, by raising a drink of spirits.

Lutherans from Germany considered this island their Plymouth Rock, because they landed near here after seeking a place where they could practice religious freedom.

Although the rock is normally inaccessible by foot, Mike Keeley, then manager of the 32-acre (13 ha) Tower Rock National Historic Site for the Missouri Department of Conservation, said in 2003 that there is usually a time every year when people can walk out to it due to low water conditions.

[5] Due to severe drought in October 2022, it was reported that "you can walk over to Tower Rock and not get your feet wet or muddy".