I'm still standing by tennesseecowgirl
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Description
Rock City is an attraction in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The barns were painted as an advertisement to attract people to come and visit. There were originally 900 of these barns painted in over 19 states with the most being in Tennessee, sadly today many of them have fallen down, or been torn down for developement. I have captured some in my area, and I love coming across them. This one I took a few weeks ago when I went to visit family. And the others below are some I have found in my area, my goal is to find as many of them that are still standing, lol I think I just got my title for this one. To read more or visit the web site see below.
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.
In 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
See seven states from Rock City
Have you seen Rock City?
To miss Rock City would be a pity.
Rock City Barn
See seven states from Rock City
Have you seen Rock City?
To miss Rock City would be a pity.
Rock City Barn
Comments (103)
MOSKETON
PRECIOSA IMAGEN, ME ENCANTA.
Faemike55
Great capture and wonderful history! Thanks Lynell
adrie
Beautiful historic capture.
marineguy
I love Americana!!
fluffykatt
Great shot
2Loose2Trek
Thanks for the wonderful history of innovations in advertising. I had no idea. Super photo.
MrsLubner
I loved the advertisements painted on the old barns in Ohio. Driving through the farm country was a treat. Not only do I remember seeing a Rock City barn but I remember the symbols painted to ward off evil spirits, bless the farmer, sell elixirs and all other manner of things. Its a shame they lost favor as freeways took the place of farm-to-market roads.
tball2004
Great Captures!
sawade
Hi, I thought, America is the land of skyscrapers. And now I have learned, it is the land of the pictoresque barns. Smile. A good photo - and all the best Bernd
KnightWolverine
Yep...sure was a time back then with these well architect-ed barns...says something about the workmanship doesn't it.Here in Wisconsin we have a lot of Old Round barns that folks have turned into shops or museums to keep them from the wrecking balls.I'll dig out my digital and see about snapping a few for you to see....they are quite interesting to say the least. I once stood atop of lookout mountain back in the 80's...didn't see nuttin...was a foggy rainy day...(frown)I'll get back their someday...thanks for posting the old barn pic's.. -Will-
Chanter56
Nice yea I have seen quite a few of them. I believe that Interstate 24 going toward Chatanooga has the most I have ever seen. There is one right before that big rest area thats by the river as well. Anyhoooooo :) Great job of capturing these. I give you a Fivers :)))))))
alanwilliams
a country that produces so many fascinating barns has my unstinting admiration
flavia49
beautiful!
drifterlee
OMG! I remember those signs. Those and "Ruby Falls".
shadownet
Very nice!
kbrog
You got some collection of barns. :) Excellent capture and info!
sandra46
another great shot of this series
magnus073
Great shot here Lynell, and I'm so glad a few of these classics are still standing.
brycek
Wonderful capture and bit of history!!
eekdog
you find so many great place to capture my friend, super job and beautiful pic lynell. lol steve
bangonthedrums
a fine addition to your collection lynell! i like your b/w effect on the tracks, and what that does to one's eye in terms of leading it to the subject! show me some of these quaint places in person sometime...? xo
TallPockets
TERRIFIC shot and descriptive narrative, TCG! (I also grew up in my area with the words "MAIL POUCH" on many barns). WINK. My BEST to you and yours, KIND SOUL.
Hobbyist
Indeed it is and what another beautiful shot! Very clean and clear as always.
wysiwig
As you travel on through life Whatever be your goal Keep your eye upon the donut And not upon the hole ~ Burma Shave I am old enough to remember the Burma Shave signs that used to line rural roads. I love these old barns especially the ones with the advertising. This is a great image with wonderful composition. Your goal is a worthy one and it gives you a nice excuse to travel.
goodoleboy
Sounds like me. Not only am I still standing, I'm also gawking, talking and walking. Cool POV, angles and composition in this capture, Lynell.
TomDart
And...the bird houses may be seen but many of those are recent purchases, unlike the barns. With modern highways I fear many of the 900 which may still stand will go unseen but for locals and those like you with a quest. Thanks for this fine photo.
psyoshida
An old barn coupled with a train track is there a more fantastic sight? A superb shot. It's wonderful to learn the history and see you collection. Wonderfully done.
blondeblurr
I do like the whole layout of this composition - the wonderful barn in stark contrast to the railway tracks... the sign-painter must have been busy for many years, monumental job ! fascinating facts, BB
babuci
You have a great series with these barns. Always a delight to see another one.
npauling
A great combination of the rail and the barn in this lovely capture and thank you for all the info on the barns.