It's a Pity if you don't see ROCK CITY by tennesseecowgirl
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Description
an attraction in Chattanooga, Tennessee
History:
By the time the Civil War reached the slopes of Lookout Mountain, more and more people had discovered what was already being called "the Rock City." During the famous battle of Lookout Mountain, both a Union officer and a Confederate nurse speculated in separate diary entries that one could see seven states from atop the summit. Rock City remained well known to hikers and geologists throughout the latter portion of the 1800's, but it would take the dawning of a new century before the fabulous Rock City would reach its full potential.
Rock City officially opened as a public attraction on May 21, 1932. It got off to a slow start, because advertising in those days was difficult; especially since Carter's mountain-top attraction was not located in a place that people would just happen to be passing by and take notice. It was at this point another brilliant idea of Carter's was born. He enlisted the help of a young sign painter named Clark Byers, who was hired to travel the nation's highways and offer to paint farmer's barns in exchange for letting them paint three simple words: See Rock City. The distinctive black-and-white signs appeared as far north as Michigan and as far west as Texas. The advertising soon began to produce the desired effect and, by the close of the 1930's, more travelers than ever had seen Rock City Gardens.
1936 - Garnet Carter began his famous barn roof advertising campaign to lure vacationers from the highways. By the 1950's Clark Byers had painted "See Rock City" on 900 barn roofs from Michigan to Texas.
For more on this:
click here
a lot of these barns THAT ARE LEFT are out here in my area so I going to do my darn best to get out and find as many as I can before WALMARTS plow them all over...
Hope you enjoyed... from the top of Look out Mountain where Rock City is located you can see 7 states can any one guess which seven those are??
Comments (28)
tennesseecowgirl
The black and white photograph is one I took of a photograph the hangs on display in Rock City.. it is a picture of Clark Byers. Clark Byers died February 19, 2004 at age 89. From 1937 until his retirement in 1969, Byers painted over 900 barns in 19 southern states hope you enjoy this little bit of Americana history
danway
Very nice! I live in Georgia and I've seen these when we were driving to Rock City as a kid! Nice memories!
yakchat
wonderful collage of photos and love the history behind it....excellent photography hon...love, Carol
JeffG7BRJ
I won't guess the states as I followed the link before the comment, fantastic collage, I especially like the bridge work bottom left, it looks like one of out dry stone walls here in the UK. They build some fantastic ones just using dry stone, no sand or cement. I found the link to be very interesting and will go back and explore some more after this. Loved the collage and the narrative, very interesting and informative, I love it when a good narrative accompanies the uploaded image. Superb work. Bravo!!!!!5+++++
MrsLubner
I'd love to see them. I remember traveling in the car with my folks when I was young and seeing advertising on these barns. I'm sure I must have seen the Rock City signs for all the traveling we did. Great collage that pulls up great memories.
artaddict2
What a fascinating story and a great collage to go with it!
SapUS59
excellent images, and a beautiful area indeed.
junge1
A wonderful collage of these old images and a fascinating story. Thanks for sharing.
Hendesse
Beautiful and very interesting collage!
durleybeachbum
Very very interesting!! Thankyou!
fredster66
Great collage!
Cytisus
Excellent shots and history!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JOELGLAINE
I live in Tennessee, and just in the Nashville area ,there used to be hundred of those barns when I was little. Now, they're almost gone. That REALLY takes me back! Thanks loads for that. I really appreciate the effort a lot!
duke39
Hey Ya'll, Thanks for the history lesson, cool photgraphy [^___^] Cheers, Roger
tizjezzme
Excellent taste of Rock City! :)
Alex_Antonov
Lovely image! 5+!
e-brink
Great montage!
Thelby
Beautiful photos and a Very Nice history lesson!!! 5+++++
tallpindo
The bumper cardboard tie ons went even further. (Before bumper stickers)
mickuk50
what a great read ,it always makes an image more interesting than it already is :o)..excellent work mick
Kelena
beautiful collage:)
wadej
Very Nice!
DMWVCS
VERY COOL!!! I really appreciate your giving us a detailed background of your photo!!! So many people post awesome pics here, but you have no idea where it was taken or what it's all about!!! You...ahem ROCK!!! That's right, I went there!!! LOL!!! David W
Richardphotos
I have heard of Rock City probably from seeing it on barns. I failed to see it when I was in Tennessee however.excellent collage
bangonthedrums
sweet montage, concept, pictures, history lesson - everything!! waaaay cool! ;)
jocko500
cool shots and I will see it one day
marybelgium
excellent montage !
mariogiannecchini
A wonderful collage of these old images !