Exploring is a fundamental human experience that has been a driving force behind some of the greatest discoveries in history. Whether it’s visiting new places or simply immersing yourself in a different culture, exploring can be life-changing and transformative. When we visit a new place, we are exposed to different ways of living and thinking, broadening our understanding of the world.
One of the South’s most popular attractions known for its unique geological and botanical wonders is a mere two and a half hour drive from Gallatin in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, just outside of Chattanooga. Rock City Gardens’ history as a world-famous tourist attraction dates back to the days of the Great Depression, but its history as a marvel of nature stretches back much further. Rock City remained well-known to hikers and geologists throughout the latter portion of the 1800s but it would take the dawning of a new century before the fabulous Rock City reached its full potential. While the man who eventually made Rock City a household name, Garnet Carner, dabbled in different business ventures, Garnet’s wife, Frieda, began a project of her own. The 700 acres of Fairyland which originally encompassed the legendary Rocky City, was developed into a grandiose rock garden. When the Great Depression hit, Garnet’s other business ventures fell through and Frieda’s endeavor with Rock City had possibilities. She took to marking a trail that wound around giant rock formations ending at the outcropping known as Lover’s Leap. She had also collected wildflowers and other plants and planted them along the trail. Rock City first opened to the public on May 21, 1932, when Garnet and Frieda decided to share their “backyard” with guests some 90 years ago. Since the mountain-top attraction wasn’t located in a place where people would be passing by and taking notice organically, Garnet came up with the brilliant idea to enlist 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 upon the barns, as well: See Rock City. The distinctive black-and-white signs appeared as far north as Michigan and as far west as Texas and many still standing today as you drive around for miles in any direction! From the inception of Garnet’s idea, it soon began to produce the desired effect and by the end of the 1930s, more travelers than ever visited Rock City Gardens, greatly attributable to their initial marketing campaign!
Over the years, several features have been added including the popular Fairyland Caverns, Mother Goose Village, the Cornerstone Station, as well as a myriad of shops and restaurants. Additionally, several annual events such as Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights bring a variety of guests. The gardens that Frieda so lovingly planted have also grown through the years to include various species of wildflowers, shrubs and trees. Rock City Gardens has become a true American icon of scenery and serenity. Under the leadership of Doug Chapin, a fourth-generation descendant of Garnet and Frieda, Rock City’s mission is to “create memories worth repeating for our guests and our partners.” With its nostalgic history, as well as its continual expansion for the future, Rocky City Gardens has earned its reputation as a world-class destination and promises to be for generations to come.
Each year more than a half million people visit the attraction to enjoy the many natural splendors that flourish. The enchanted, 4,100-foot walking trail features massive ancient rock formations, caves, a magnificent cascading waterfall and over 400 species of lush plants and flowers with a walkway across the swing-a-long bridge that spans nearly 200 feet and where seven states can be seen from one single vantage lookout point! Rock City continues to be a local and national treasure!