Old Man of the Mountain

For other uses, see Old Man of the Mountain (disambiguation).
Old Man of the Mountain
Great Stone Face, The Profile
A jagged formation of granite rocks on a lightly snowed cliff forming the side profile resembling a human face juts out against the backdrop of a blue sky with a thin cloud to the left.
Old Man of the Mountain on April 26, 2003, seven days before the collapse
Map
TypeRock formation (former)
LocationCannon Mountain, Franconia, New Hampshire, United States
Coordinates44°09′38″N 71°41′00″W / 44.1606203°N 71.6834169°W / 44.1606203; -71.6834169
Elevation3,130 feet (950 m)
Height40 feet (12 m)
Formed≈ 300 to 12,000 years ago
DemolishedMay 3, 2003 (collapsed)
Old Man of the Mountain is located in New Hampshire
Old Man of the Mountain
Former location of the formation in New Hampshire

The Old Man of the Mountain, also called the Great Stone Face and the Profile,[1][2] was a series of five granite cliff ledges on Cannon Mountain in Franconia, New Hampshire, United States, that appeared to be the jagged profile of a human face when viewed from the north. The rock formation, 1,200 feet (370 m) above Profile Lake, was 40 feet (12 m) tall and 25 feet (7.6 m) wide.

The Old Man of the Mountain is called "Stone Face" by the Abenaki and is a symbol within their culture.[3] It is also a symbol to the Mohawk people. The first written mention of the Old Man was in 1805. It became a landmark and a cultural icon for the state of New Hampshire. It collapsed on May 3, 2003.[4] After its collapse, residents considered replacing it with a replica, but the idea was ultimately rejected. It remains a visual icon on the state's license plates and in other places.

  1. ^ Russell, Jenna (May 5, 2023). "New Hampshire's Old Man of the Mountain, 20 Years Gone, Still Bewitches - The rock formation collapsed in 2003, but it hasn't lost its hold on residents, who have passed on their affection to a new generation". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  2. ^ "Franconia Notch". Encyclopædia Britannica. Chicago, Illinois: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 2008. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ^ "The Wobanadenok". Indigenous New Hampshire Collaborative Collective. December 6, 2018. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  4. ^ New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation: Old Man of the Mountain Historic Site Accessed: August 14, 2012.