Have you seen Rock City? by tennesseecowgirl

Photography • Architecture • posted on Dec 28, 2009

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Description

Rock City barn located on highway 411 near Cartersville, Georgia. 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 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??

To miss rock city would be a Pity.

Comments (70)

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dragonmuse

10:48AM | Mon, 28 December 2009

The man was a genius :) Now I want to see it!

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anitalee

10:49AM | Mon, 28 December 2009

Cool

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kftate

11:30AM | Mon, 28 December 2009

Fantastic capture and wonderful history! Excellent done!!

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magnus073

11:30AM | Mon, 28 December 2009

This is super cool Lynell and believe it or not I have seen that sign on barns myself. That is where Meremac Caverns got their idea for advertising on barns I bet.

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meinen

11:33AM | Mon, 28 December 2009

Looks goog. Good thing you told the story, too. The pic makes so much more sense that way

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BessieB

11:37AM | Mon, 28 December 2009

Excellent info and shot Lynell

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hipps13

11:38AM | Mon, 28 December 2009

no I have not but maybe one day wonderful capture warm hugs, Linda

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psyoshida

11:39AM | Mon, 28 December 2009

Fascinating history and wonderful photos. They still paint them today! I've never heard of "Rock City". I just checked it out and I see Carter also invented miniature golf!

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flora-crassella

11:40AM | Mon, 28 December 2009

wonderful!!!!!!

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3dsync

11:41AM | Mon, 28 December 2009

Great shot!!!

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awjay

11:42AM | Mon, 28 December 2009

excellent

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Minda

12:01PM | Mon, 28 December 2009

Great info and excellent capture lynell.

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capelito

12:03PM | Mon, 28 December 2009

Great capture.

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carlx

12:08PM | Mon, 28 December 2009

Wonderful photography!!!

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rocserum

12:08PM | Mon, 28 December 2009

your story makes me curious, Interesting and a advertizers dream! RS

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KataPan

12:23PM | Mon, 28 December 2009

Wonderful history and nice shot!

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jmb007

12:37PM | Mon, 28 December 2009

beau cours d'histoire locale,belle photo good shot

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tryky5carla

12:52PM | Mon, 28 December 2009

WONDERFUL CAPTURE AND HISTORY, GREAT WORK !!!!!!!!!

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jendellas

1:22PM | Mon, 28 December 2009

I would love to see the place where you can see 7 states, great pics & info!!!!

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eekdog

1:24PM | Mon, 28 December 2009

superb capture my friend, love your photography// steve

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frieder

1:39PM | Mon, 28 December 2009

Great Info and capture.

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Tom42

1:41PM | Mon, 28 December 2009

very kwel work. love the pic and story

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Miska7

2:05PM | Mon, 28 December 2009

Really nice capture and history! Well done.

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ShadowsNTime

2:21PM | Mon, 28 December 2009

I haven't a clue as to the seven states but the barn and advertising are cool! You always have the most wonderful historical things to share! Lovely photo!

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