The Most Iconic View in Georgia is Also a Stunning Slice of History

Visiting today, you might not ponder the history of Rock City, but knowing the fascinating story will no doubt allow you to fall more in love with this iconic attraction in Georgia. This little plot of land is a whimsical escape from reality where natural beauty and art fuse together, creating an open invitation for your imagination to soar. This attraction is over 90 years old, and during the early years, an invention exploded in popularity sending the creator all around the country. This new craze at the time has evolved and shaped since its conception, and it is a game we are all very familiar with. Now that I have got you interested, let's dive into the history of Rock City.

Long before it became the attraction it is today, people have been drawn to this geological wonder on Lookout Mountain. The interesting formations and passages gave it a reputation in the 1800s, and it was already known as “The Rock City.” It is impossible to deny that the way the boulder shoots out of the side of the mountain and the tunnels throughout the area invokes a sense of wonder.

The labyrinth of walkways and phenomenal view was certainly an inspiration to a man named Garnet Carter, who decided to make it an attraction worth visiting. Interestingly enough, the idea was to build a community that he named Fairyland to honor his wife Frieda’s fascination with European folklore. This became a prevalent theme that is still found in Rock City to this day. The fairytale doesn’t stop there because he desired to build a golf course for his residents. The demand was high for the game, but the course took longer than expected, so being the brilliant businessman that he was, he pivoted and made a mini golf course.

This was the first mini-golf course ever invented, and it didn’t take long for him to realize he had struck gold. Realizing the potential in his creation, he decided to franchise it, and soon, mini-golf was a craze that took him all over the United States. The first course was known as Tom Tumb Golf and, of course, was accompanied by colorful lawn gnomes.

Meanwhile, Frieda was busy making incredibly elaborate and beautiful gardens. With the Great Depression in full swing, people were not as eager to spend money on extracurricular activities, so again, Garnet looked for a way to make ends meet. Noticing the breathtaking work his wife had done, he decided to make this the attraction we see today. Another problem presented itself in the location. Being on the top of a mountain made this an out-of-the-way location for most people, but Garnet had another idea. He hired a man who offered to paint farmers' barns and put the words “See Rock City” on the roof. They become another iconic sight along the highway, and many of them can still be seen scattered in the landscape to this very day.

So next time you putt your way through a game of mini golf, enjoy the view from Lover’s Leap, or wander through the imaginative Fairyland, you can remember the history of Rock City. My hope is that this story will help you appreciate the gifts that the Carter family has brought to our country. Being creative in business and being able to pivot during hard times is a lesson we could all learn from.

While you are on Lookout Mountain another must-see attraction is Ruby Falls, make sure you don’t miss one of the country's biggest underground waterfalls. Then for a new perspective of the beauty found in the area check out this private helicopter tour of Lookout Mountain.