Information AboutRock City |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT ROCK CITY | |
| roadside attractions | |
| chattanooga, tennessee | |
| visitor attractions in georgia u.s. state | |
| geology of georgia u.s. state | |
See also: Rock City, Kansas Rock City is a Roadside Attraction near Chattanooga, Tennessee on Lookout Mountain in Lookout Mountain, Georgia , located near Ruby Falls . It is well-known for the many barn roofs throughout the southeast United States that have the slogan "See Rock City" painted on their roofs. In total, over 900 barn roofs in nineteen states were painted by Clark Byers for Rock City. HISTORY Historical evidence indicates that Native Americans inhabited Lookout Mountain at one point. In 1823 , two missionaries ( Daniel S. Butrick and William Chamberlain ) went to the area to minister to these Native Americans. Daniel Butrick made a journal entry on August 28 , 1823 in which he described "a citadel of rocks" on top of the mountain, and noted the immense size of the boulders. He stated that they were arranged in a way "as to afford streets and lanes." By the time the American Civil War reached the slopes of Lookout Mountain, more and more people had discovered what was already at that time being called the Rock City. During the Battle Of Lookout Mountain , both a Union and a Confederate observed that seven states could be seen from the summit of the mountain. They observed this independently and recorded it in their own journals. Hikers and Geologists knew Rock City well throughout the late 1800s , but it did not become the attraction it is now until the 1900s . Garnet Carter 's idea was to develop a residential neighborhood on top of the mountain. It was to be named Fairyland because of his wife's interest in European Folklore . One feature of Fairyland was going to be a golf course, but Garnet decided instead to build a Miniature Golf course because the original took too long to build. He later franchised his miniature golf concept as Tom Thumb Golf , now recognized as the nation's first mini-golf course. . ''Photographed by Harmony Gollubske, March 2006 . Used with permission.'']] Fairyland was 700 acres and encompassed Rock City. Frieda Carter set out to develop the property into one big Rock Garden , taking string and marking a trail that wound its way around the giant rock formations, ending up at Lover's Leap . She also planted wildflowers and other plants along her trails. She also imported German gnome statues and other famous fairytale characters, set up at spots throughout the trail. Garnet Carter realized that his wife had made an attraction that many people would be willing to pay for, and they made Rock City a public attraction in 1932 . ATTRACTIONS Rock City features a long, convoluted rock trail lined with gardens. These gardens contain hundreds of labelled local trees and plants. The trail also leads through a variety of bizarre rock formations, including the 1,000 ton Balanced Rock and the Fat Man's Squeeze . Two other sections, the Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village , are rock caves decorated with Black Light -responsive sculptures. Lover's Leap Publicity and southern lore state that it is possible to see seven , Kentucky , Virginia , South Carolina , North Carolina , Georgia and Alabama (some with the aid of provided Telescope s). Legend states that a Native American man who loved a woman from a rival tribe was thrown from the lookout when his love was discovered. Near Lover's Leap is a beautiful view of the High Falls Of Lookout Mountain . ROCK CITY IN CULTURE The Rock City vista on Lookout Mountain is the site of the climax of Neil Gaiman 's 2001 novel '' American Gods ''. Rock City Barns: A Passing Era by David B. Jenkins - ISBN 0965230805 is an acclaimed book of photographs and history behind the "See Rock City" barns. EXTERNAL LINKS |
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