# Tenth Anniversary of the Fall of the Old Man of the Mountain **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 9, 2013, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tenth-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-old-man-of-the-mountain/655217 "2013-04-09T12:03:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tenth-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-old-man-of-the-mountain/655217/1 "2013-04-09T12:03:49Z")
On May 3 it will be a decade suince The Great Stone Face was noticed missing from Profile Mountain in New Hampshire. They’re planning special events. in the time since the fall, they’ve put up a special “viewing plaza” where you can go to see the side of the mountain, and can sight along special viewing stakes that give you a sense of what it looked like. > **[Old Man of the Mountain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Man_of_the_Mountain)** > > The Old Man of the Mountain, also called the Great Stone Face and the Profile, 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. It is also a symbol ... [http://www.boston.com/news/local/new-hampshire/2013/04/08/ceremony-mark-anniversary-old-man/dE7I8tzOLJAcHtBhoDQuLM/story.html](http://www.boston.com/news/local/new-hampshire/2013/04/08/ceremony-mark-anniversary-old-man/dE7I8tzOLJAcHtBhoDQuLM/story.html) ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tenth-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-old-man-of-the-mountain/655217/2 "2013-04-09T12:15:17Z")
Sadly, I never knew of the existence of this wonderful structure until it did collapse, that generating nationwide news. I’d love to have seen it and envy those that had the chance. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tenth-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-old-man-of-the-mountain/655217/3 "2013-04-09T12:49:47Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > Sadly, I never knew of the existence of this wonderful structure until it did collapse, that generating nationwide news. I’d love to have seen it and envy those that had the chance. I live close enough that I could have made the trip to see it, but never did. (I’ve driven through the area since then, but at night.) How could you not know of it, though, unless you’ve never been to New Hampshire? It was the only thing they had to be proud of. It was on their license plates, their state route markers, and their state quarter. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tenth-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-old-man-of-the-mountain/655217/4 "2013-04-09T13:07:30Z")
Wow, has it been ten years already? Time flies… I believe I did see it once, when I was very young, but I don’t remember all that much about it. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tenth-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-old-man-of-the-mountain/655217/5 "2013-04-09T13:10:50Z")
I saw it many times, having gone up there on vacation as a kid. After I moved to the Boston area, I’d drive up that way at least once a year, and often stopped to look at the Profile. as **robot arm** notes, it’s all over the place – on State Route signs, brochures, the state quarter, license plates and elsewhere. Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote a story based on it, _the Great Stone Face_. The point – about the longevity and toughness of that Profile (and a man who shared its qualities) sems ironic now. There had been news reports about visiting the rock, and its retaining cables, because it had been loose for quite a long time, but I thought those were going to keep it in place. Evidently not. ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tenth-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-old-man-of-the-mountain/655217/6 "2013-04-09T14:14:15Z")
I remember it from those old Ripley’s believe it or not paperbacks from the '60s and '70s. ---
**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tenth-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-old-man-of-the-mountain/655217/7 "2013-04-09T14:15:39Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > It was the only thing they had to be proud of. It was on their license plates, their state route markers, and their state quarter. Seriously, I don’t even know what those NH people have to live for anymore. I think they should resign from the Union. What a disgrace. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tenth-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-old-man-of-the-mountain/655217/8 "2013-04-09T14:26:18Z")
We Californians have managed to carry on with an defunct mascot…the good people in NH should be able to cope. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tenth-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-old-man-of-the-mountain/655217/9 "2013-04-09T14:37:10Z")
I drove through Franconia Notch dozens of times, probably close to 100 while the Old Man was still up there. I always took a look as I drove past the point where the blocks lined up to form the face and have some nice photos that I took after hikes in the area. I’m up there a dozen times a year and still take a look when driving past the spot. I’m not a rock climber so I never climbed the route that went over his forehead but I’ve hiked down to the top of that climb. I remember where I was (Rt 9 in Newton) when I heard the radio report of his demise. Wow, 10 years. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tenth-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-old-man-of-the-mountain/655217/10 "2013-04-09T14:41:09Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > There had been news reports about visiting the rock, and its retaining cables, because it had been loose for quite a long time, but I thought those were going to keep it in place. Evidently not. Unfortunately, the retaining cables were only attached to the top of the formation; it collapsed from the bottom. As a native New Hampshirite, I can say that while there is a twinge of regret when I’m visiting home and up in Franconia Notch, it is not something that I spend any other energy thinking about. My St. Louis wife, who only saw it once, is actually sadder about it than me (because she wanted to show it to her dad). ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tenth-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-old-man-of-the-mountain/655217/11 "2013-04-09T14:43:04Z")
Franconia Notch? I think I dated her back in college! ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tenth-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-old-man-of-the-mountain/655217/12 "2013-04-09T15:31:41Z")
> [@fachverwirrt](#): > > Unfortunately, the retaining cables were only attached to the top of the formation; it collapsed from the bottom. Those cables may have delayed the inevitable a little bit, but there’s no way they were going to stop those rocks from falling. They were mostly done for show and tradition; I would have preferred that they were never installed. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tenth-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-old-man-of-the-mountain/655217/13 "2013-04-09T16:49:20Z")
Now known as “The geologic structure formerly known as Old Man of the Mountain.” More informally known as “Just Another Fucking Rock.” ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tenth-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-old-man-of-the-mountain/655217/14 "2013-04-09T20:04:05Z")
You can still buy [this wonderful momento](http://www.amazon.com/MOUNTAINS-HAMPSHIRE-Plate-Postage-Stamps/dp/B003RNNW3Y). ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2013, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tenth-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-old-man-of-the-mountain/655217/15 "2013-04-10T00:15:57Z")
10 years? Wow, time flies. One of a handful of tourist sites I can say I’m glad I got to see when I did, because If I’d waited a few more years, the opportunity would be gone. ---
**Author:** ![Ms.Pumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a87d85/32.png) [@Ms.Pumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms.Pumpkin)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2013, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tenth-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-old-man-of-the-mountain/655217/16 "2013-04-10T03:33:27Z")
Holy crap- 10 years? This was big enough news(in New England, anyway), that I actually remember where I was when I heard about it. 😛 Always wanted to see it, never got around to it. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2013, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tenth-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-old-man-of-the-mountain/655217/17 "2013-04-10T04:08:36Z")
Are features like this common in the US or was this the inspiration for a storyline in the Simpsons where Homer wrecks a local stone face called Geezer Rock about which Lisa has written a poem? The episode was called Fraudcast News. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2013, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tenth-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-old-man-of-the-mountain/655217/18 "2013-04-10T05:04:16Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > Are features like this common in the US or was this the inspiration for a storyline in the Simpsons where Homer wrecks a local stone face called Geezer Rock about which Lisa has written a poem? The episode was called Fraudcast News. Given both the timeline (the episode apparently aired the year after the formation collapsed) and the [images](http://www.uloc.de/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?Screenshots/Fabf18_01_Kent_Brockman_Geezer_Rock) I’ve found online, I think it’s almost certain that Geezer Rock was based on the Old Man. The actual Old Man was considerably farther away from the viewing area than that picture, but the overall shape and concept is more or less identical. ETA: Also, this [wiki](http://simpsons.wikia.com/wiki/Fraudcast_News/References) seems to confirm it. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2013, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tenth-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-old-man-of-the-mountain/655217/19 "2013-04-10T05:50:45Z")
I was able to see the Old Man when I visited New Hampshire in 1985. It was pouring rain when I was passing through, but I decided to pull off the highway and see him anyway. I did, and got soaked, but he was quite something to see. I was saddened to hear that he had fallen down, but glad that I had been able to see him anyway. Hard to believe it’s been ten years since he fell. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2013, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tenth-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-old-man-of-the-mountain/655217/20 "2013-04-10T10:22:43Z")
It’s nearly 8 years since one of the [Twelve Apostles](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twelve_Apostles_(Victoria)) in Australia collapsed. And four years since the Island Archway gave way: [before](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Island_Archway,_Great_Ocean_Rd,_Victoria,_Australia_-_Nov_08.jpg) and [after](http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6022/5887493034_22162b3214_z.jpg). I managed to see those two while they were still standing, though. 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tenth-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-old-man-of-the-mountain/655217.md?page=2)