Rock City
Encyclopedia
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 advertisement
s throughout the Southeast and Midwest United States
that have the slogan "See Rock City" painted on barn roofs and sides. In total, over 900 barn roofs in nineteen states were painted by Clark Byers
for Rock City.
The publicity and lore claim that it is possible to see seven states from Lover's Leap, a point in Rock City, but this has not been proven scientifically.This article points out that:
The states that can allegedly be seen are Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky and Virginia. But the claim assumes that Pinnacle Mountain, at the nearest point in Virginia, can be seen. Rock City and Pinnacle mountain have altitudes of 700 and 758 meters respectively and are separated by 150 miles (241 km), not 120 miles (193.1 km) as claimed at the site. The relevant intervening line of sight must pass over several long Tennessee ridges rising to 350 metres. The curvature of the earth restricts visibility, even on the clearest days with the most powerful telescopes. To get a horizon distance (in km), multiply the square root of the height difference in metres by 3.85. From Rock City in the direction of Virginia, that's sqr(700-350)*3.85 = 72 km. From Virginia in the direction of Rock City, that's sqr(758-350)*3.85 = 78 km. When these distances are added to calculate intervisibility, the distance falls far short. The distances to Kentucky and the Carolinas claimed at the site are also in error, although a few summits in North Carolina are within the viewshed.
Every fall season Rock City creates a maze using crops of corn
in the valley below the gardens. The maze can be seen from the Lovers Leap lookout point. From the gardens you can view imagery and designs that have been cutout within the maze. Below at the site of the maze you can "GET LOST" and try to find your way out by answering trivia questions at certain posts along the maze of corn. There are also hay rides and other seasonal activities at the maze site. The name of this event is "The Enchanted MAIZE".
Every November through December Rock City Celebrates the season by lighting the park with millions of Christmas lights and displays. The event is named "Enchanted Garden of Lights" and features seasonal booths of food and gifts, as well as a couple of seasonal shows such as a lighted telling of the Nativity of Jesus
and carolers from all over the region.
Rock City also provides annual passes, group rates, and hold seasonal and special events all year round.
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
claimed that seven states could be seen from the summit of the mountain. The claims are independent and recorded in their own journals
.
Hikers
and geologist
s knew Rock City well throughout the late 19th century, but it did not become the attraction it is now until the 20th century. 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.
Fairyland was 700 acres (2.8 km²) 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 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.
s.
and another attraction located in the Rock City Gardens. The waterfall is approximately 140 feet high and falls into a base which appears like a small pool.
The Rock City vista on Lookout Mountain is the site of the climax of Neil Gaiman
's 2001 novel American Gods
. Several barn roofs painted with "SEE ROCK CITY" were also described in the book.
Composer Brant Karrick has written a piece for Wind Ensemble titled See Rock City, inspired by road trips throughout the area.
The main characters in Cormac McCarthy
's novel The Road
, while traveling in a post-apocalyptic world in an unnamed U.S. state, pass a barn advertising "See Rock City".
Athens, Georgia
country music
singer Caroline Monroe recorded a song titled "See Rock City" on her 2006 debut CD Ghost Town.
On the popular Internet cartoon Homestar Runner
, on the Sbemail episode "Couch Patch", Strong Bad can be seen wearing a T-shirt
with a birdhouse
on it having the words "See Rock City" on its roof.
Rock City Barns are mentioned in the Jason Aldean
song 'This I Gotta See".
Bela Fleck's album Drive contains an original banjo instrumental entitled "See Rock City".
Currently, Rock City features a monthly concert series called the Fireside Nights held every third Thursday of the month from 6-8 pm at the Rock City Starbucks and is free to the public.
Rock City has also started featuring artwork throughout the park from local artists and even has their own in-house artist tasked to produce sculpted gnomes to be displayed throughout the park.
Roadside attraction
A roadside attraction is a feature along the side of a road, that is frequently advertised with billboards to attract tourists. In general, these are places one might stop on the way to somewhere else, rather than being a final or primary destination in and of themselves. The modern...
near Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
, on Lookout Mountain
Lookout Mountain
thumb|right|See seven statesLookout Mountain is located at the northwest corner of the U.S. state of Georgia, the northeast corner of Alabama, and along the southern border of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Lookout Mountain, along with Sand Mountain to the northwest, makes up a large portion of the...
in Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Lookout Mountain is a city in Walker County, Georgia, United States. The population was 1,617 at the 2000 census. The city is located on Lookout Mountain, home to such attractions as Rock City and Ruby Falls. The city is also home to Covenant College...
, located near Ruby Falls
Ruby Falls
Ruby Falls is a 145-foot high underground waterfall located within Lookout Mountain, near Rock City and Chattanooga, Tennessee in the United States.-Geology:The cave which houses Ruby Falls was formed with the formation of Lookout Mountain...
. It is well-known for the many barn advertisement
Barn advertisement
A barn advertisement is an outdoor advertisement painted onto the exterior of a roadside barn. Barn advertisers take advantage of the barns' prominence in rural landscapes, paying their owners for the right to paint and maintain logos and slogans on them...
s throughout the Southeast and Midwest United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that have the slogan "See Rock City" painted on barn roofs and sides. In total, over 900 barn roofs in nineteen states were painted by Clark Byers
Clark Byers
Clark Byers was an American sign maker. He is famous for painting over 900 barns in 19 states with the slogan "See Rock City"....
for Rock City.
The publicity and lore claim that it is possible to see seven states from Lover's Leap, a point in Rock City, but this has not been proven scientifically.This article points out that:
- There are major errors in the distance claims made at the site of the telescopes
- No scholarly survey supports the claim.
The states that can allegedly be seen are Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky and Virginia. But the claim assumes that Pinnacle Mountain, at the nearest point in Virginia, can be seen. Rock City and Pinnacle mountain have altitudes of 700 and 758 meters respectively and are separated by 150 miles (241 km), not 120 miles (193.1 km) as claimed at the site. The relevant intervening line of sight must pass over several long Tennessee ridges rising to 350 metres. The curvature of the earth restricts visibility, even on the clearest days with the most powerful telescopes. To get a horizon distance (in km), multiply the square root of the height difference in metres by 3.85. From Rock City in the direction of Virginia, that's sqr(700-350)*3.85 = 72 km. From Virginia in the direction of Rock City, that's sqr(758-350)*3.85 = 78 km. When these distances are added to calculate intervisibility, the distance falls far short. The distances to Kentucky and the Carolinas claimed at the site are also in error, although a few summits in North Carolina are within the viewshed.
Events and shows
In 2006 Rock City began having daily bird shows for its visitors. The bird shows focus on birds of prey. The shows are included with paid admission to the gardens. Now, however, the birds of prey shows are held Thursdays through Sundays, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm, with an additional show at 4:30 pm on Saturdays.Every fall season Rock City creates a maze using crops of corn
Corn maze
A corn maze or maize maze is a maze cut out of a corn field. They have become popular tourist attractions in North America, and a way for farms to create tourist income. Many are based on artistic designs such as characters from movies. Corn mazes appear in many different designs. Some mazes are...
in the valley below the gardens. The maze can be seen from the Lovers Leap lookout point. From the gardens you can view imagery and designs that have been cutout within the maze. Below at the site of the maze you can "GET LOST" and try to find your way out by answering trivia questions at certain posts along the maze of corn. There are also hay rides and other seasonal activities at the maze site. The name of this event is "The Enchanted MAIZE".
Every November through December Rock City Celebrates the season by lighting the park with millions of Christmas lights and displays. The event is named "Enchanted Garden of Lights" and features seasonal booths of food and gifts, as well as a couple of seasonal shows such as a lighted telling of the Nativity of Jesus
Nativity of Jesus
The Nativity of Jesus, or simply The Nativity, refers to the accounts of the birth of Jesus in two of the Canonical gospels and in various apocryphal texts....
and carolers from all over the region.
Rock City also provides annual passes, group rates, and hold seasonal and special events all year round.
History
Historical evidence indicates that Native AmericansNative Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
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
Citadel
A citadel is a fortress for protecting a town, sometimes incorporating a castle. The term derives from the same Latin root as the word "city", civis, meaning citizen....
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
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
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
Battle of Lookout Mountain
The Battle of Lookout Mountain was fought November 24, 1863, as part of the Chattanooga Campaign of the American Civil War. Union forces under Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker assaulted Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, Tennessee, and defeated Confederate forces commanded by Maj. Gen. Carter L. Stevenson....
, both a Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
and a Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
claimed that seven states could be seen from the summit of the mountain. The claims are independent and recorded in their own journals
Diary
A diary is a record with discrete entries arranged by date reporting on what has happened over the course of a day or other period. A personal diary may include a person's experiences, and/or thoughts or feelings, including comment on current events outside the writer's direct experience. Someone...
.
Hikers
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
and geologist
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
s knew Rock City well throughout the late 19th century, but it did not become the attraction it is now until the 20th century. Garnet Carter
Garnet Carter
John Garnet Carter was an American inventor and entrepreneur who is considered as one of the fathers of miniature golf. In 1927, Carter was the first to patent a version of the game which he called "Tom Thumb Golf". His course was built on Lookout Mountain in Tennessee where Carter owned a hotel...
's idea was to develop a residential neighborhood on top of the mountain. It was to be named Fairyland
Fairyland
Fairyland commonly refers to the land of fairies, in folklore.Fairyland may also refer to:* Álfheimr, the abode of the elves in Norse mythology* Elfhame or Elfland, the abode of the elves in English and Lowland Scottish folklore...
because of his wife's interest in European folklore
European folklore
European folklore or Western folklore refers to the folklore of the western world, especially when discussed comparatively.There is, of course, no single European culture, but nevertheless the common history of Christendom during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period has resulted in a number...
. One feature of Fairyland was going to be a golf course, but Garnet decided instead to build a miniature golf
Miniature golf
Miniature golf, or minigolf, is a miniature version of the sport of golf. While the international sports organization World Minigolf Sport Federation prefers to use the name "minigolf", the general public in different countries has also many other names for the game: miniature golf, mini-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.
Fairyland was 700 acres (2.8 km²) and encompassed Rock City. Frieda Carter set out to develop the property into one big rock garden
Rock Garden
The Rock Garden or Rock Garden of Chandigarh is a Sculpture garden in Chandigarh, India, also known as Nek Chand's Rock Garden after its founder Nek Chand, a government official who started the garden secretly in his spare time in 1957. Today it is spread over an area of forty-acres , it is...
, taking string and marking a trail that wound its way around the giant rock formations, ending up at Lover's Leap
Lover's Leap
Lovers' Leap , is a toponym given to a number of locations of varying height, usually isolated, with the risk of a fatal fall and the possibility of a deliberate jump...
. She also planted wildflowers and other plants along her trails. She 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 1000-ton Balanced Rock and the Fat Man's Squeeze. Two other sections, the Fairyland Caverns and father Goose Village, are rock caves decorated with blacklight-responsive sculptureSculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
s.
Lover's Leap
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.High Falls of Lookout Mountain
The High Falls of the Lookout Mountain is a manmade waterfallWaterfall
A waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...
and another attraction located in the Rock City Gardens. The waterfall is approximately 140 feet high and falls into a base which appears like a small pool.
Rock City in culture
See Rock City & Other Destinations, a musical by Brad Alexander and Adam Mathias, won the Richard Rodgers and Jerry Bock Awards and was produced Off-Broadway by Transport Group Theatre Company in 2010.The Rock City vista on Lookout Mountain is the site of the climax of Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
's 2001 novel American Gods
American Gods
American Gods is a Hugo and Nebula Award-winning novel by Neil Gaiman. The novel is a blend of Americana, fantasy, and various strands of ancient and modern mythology, all centering on a mysterious and taciturn protagonist, Shadow. It is Gaiman's fourth prose novel, being preceded by Good Omens ,...
. Several barn roofs painted with "SEE ROCK CITY" were also described in the book.
Composer Brant Karrick has written a piece for Wind Ensemble titled See Rock City, inspired by road trips throughout the area.
The main characters in Cormac McCarthy
Cormac McCarthy
Cormac McCarthy is an American novelist and playwright. He has written ten novels, spanning the Southern Gothic, Western, and modernist genres. He received the Pulitzer Prize and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Fiction for The Road...
's novel The Road
The Road
The Road is a 2006 novel by the American author Cormac McCarthy.The Road may also refer to:* The Road , a 2001 Kazakhstani film* The Road , a 2009 film adaptation of the McCarthy novel...
, while traveling in a post-apocalyptic world in an unnamed U.S. state, pass a barn advertising "See Rock City".
Athens, Georgia
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer Caroline Monroe recorded a song titled "See Rock City" on her 2006 debut CD Ghost Town.
On the popular Internet cartoon Homestar Runner
Homestar Runner
Homestar Runner is a Flash animated Internet cartoon. It mixes surreal humor with references to retro pop culture, notably video games, classic television, and popular music.The cartoons are nominally centered on the title character, Homestar Runner...
, on the Sbemail episode "Couch Patch", Strong Bad can be seen wearing a T-shirt
T-shirt
A T-shirt is a style of shirt. A T-shirt is buttonless and collarless, with short sleeves and frequently a round neck line....
with a birdhouse
Nest box
A nest box, also spelled nestbox is a man-made box provided for animals to nest in. Nest boxes are most frequently utilized for wild and domesticated birds, in which case they are also called birdhouses, but some mammalian species may also use them. Birdhouses are the most common types of nest...
on it having the words "See Rock City" on its roof.
Rock City Barns are mentioned in the Jason Aldean
Jason Aldean
Jason Aldine Williams is an American country music singer, known professionally as Jason Aldean. Since 2005, Aldean has recorded for Broken Bow Records, an independent record label for which he has released four albums and twelve singles...
song 'This I Gotta See".
Bela Fleck's album Drive contains an original banjo instrumental entitled "See Rock City".
Currently, Rock City features a monthly concert series called the Fireside Nights held every third Thursday of the month from 6-8 pm at the Rock City Starbucks and is free to the public.
Rock City has also started featuring artwork throughout the park from local artists and even has their own in-house artist tasked to produce sculpted gnomes to be displayed throughout the park.