Monday, August 10, 2015

Stone Mountain Confederate Carving



There is a very impressive carving on the west side of Stone Mountain in Stone Mountain, Georgia. 
The largest high relief sculpture in the world, the Confederate Memorial Carving, depicts three Confederate heroes of the Civil War, President Jefferson Davis and Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. The entire carved surface measures three-acres, larger than a football field and Mount Rushmore. The carving of the three men towers 400 feet above the ground, measures 90 by 190 feet, and is recessed 42 feet into the mountain. The deepest point of the carving is at Lee's elbow, which is 12 feet to the mountain's surface.

 The plans for the carving were submitted in 1916 by the same sculptor who later carved the giant faces on Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota, Gutzon Borglum.  For financial and political reasons, the plans and carving by him did not materialize for Stone Mountain.
I, for one, am glad this didn't happen...he wanted an army of figures carved into the mountain!

In May of 1928, Augustus Lukeman was hired to carve the figures of Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee.  The owner of the mountain, Sam Venable was unhappy about this since he wanted Gutzon Borglum back in Georgia working on the carving.  He refused to renew the lease on the mountain and therefore, the carving remained unfinished for the next 30 years...

In 1958, the state of Georgia purchased Stone Mountain and the surrounding land.  (The most extraordinary thing- once the deal was done, the state condemned their own property!  This was done because the former owner, Sam Venable, had given the Ku Klux Klan the right to hold their meetings at Stone Mountain and condemnation was the only way to relieve the state of this burden.)
The Georgia General Assembly then created the Stone Mountain Memorial Association and the SMMA is still in charge of all the natural and historical areas of the park.   "To sustain, enhance, and protect Stone Mountain Park and to provide enriching historical, natural, cultural, and recreational resources for all who visit."

Now, back to the carving...the SMMA chose Walker Hancock to complete the Confederate Memorial.  It was determined that the best way to remove the rock was by using thermo jet blow torches.  Incredibly, a man by the name of Roy Faulkner, a former Marine who had no previous experience in this kind of work, had a special talent for this and he was able to remove tons of stone in just one day.  

The carving is actually much larger than it appears.  Workers could easily stand inside a horse's ear or inside a horse's mouth to escape a sudden rain shower.  A dedication ceremony for the Confederate Carving was held on May 9, 1970.


The carving on Stone Mountain is impressive, that is true but I just want to make sure that you know this fact:  the mountain itself and the land that surrounds it has such incredible natural beauty that it takes my breath away. 





 




 













 










 
 

20 comments:

  1. What an impressive carving! I'm sure seeing it in person is pretty remarkable! Your mountain is a gorgeous and you have every right to be so proud...you do it proud with your posts and info and lovely pics!

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    1. Thank you! It's hard to describe the beauty of it really, but I try! :-)

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  2. When I read that bit about the size of the carvings - that workers could have easily stood in the ears or mouth of a horse to take shelter - my jaw dropped! By just reading the size in feet, I wasn't so impressed, because I measure in meters and kilometers and any number of feet does not mean all that much to me unless I have a direct comparison like the workers.
    What an interesting story behind it, too, and the mountain having changed hands (and purposes) so often!

    Was there to be another picture in the pots below of the one where you sit so prettily near the yellow flowers? I can see a small white square in a large empty area of the post.

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    1. You might notice that I am not a "numbers" kind of person. What really impressed me was the photo of a group of people EATING DINNER on a table set up on Robert E. Lee's shoulder! (The one in the middle).
      I tried to get that photo on the post for you, but it was too small and you couldn't make it out....when I took it off, it left that space at the bottom, along with that little "blip" which I couldn't get rid of!
      You do not want to know all my problems with blogging! HA!
      I hope they leave the carving alone. I want no further carvings done and I want this one left as it is.

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  3. How long before there is an outcry to have it removed? You can't change history, though some would like to. General Lee was one of the most honorable men of his time or any time.

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    1. There have been calls to have it removed. Also, there is a display of flags that have flown over Georgia and since one of them is the Confederate Flag, there have been those who wished to have it removed. As of now, the SMMA has been firm in their refusal to bow to political pressure and the flags remain. If you are ever at Stone Mountain, the flag display is on the way from the walk up trail on the mountain, just as you begin the walk, on the right side.

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  4. I live a few miles from Stone Mountain (in the suburb of Tucker, GA) - my church is right down the street. It's such an impressive sight - one that never fails to take my breath away.

    My niece and I like to climb the mountain when she's visiting. Me - I just walk around it mostly.

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    1. Do you mean the Episcopal church, the one that is so close to the mountain? ( I think it is St. Michael's). And yes, I know where Tucker is!
      And I also like the other trails at Stone Mountain! They now have a trail on the island which is across the covered bridge. Check it out!

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  5. Such a lovely area, and a fascinating history!

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    1. I find it fascinating. I love the story behind everything!

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  6. There's that woman again!

    Scrub the carving and keep the mountain!

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    1. No, as much as I love all the nature here, I think the carving should stay. Nothing more should be added, though, just leave it as it is.
      And yes, that crazy woman follows Richard around all over the place!

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  7. What a fantastic carving, and I'm amazed it is not as famous as Mt. Rushmore. The dimensions are staggering, and to see it in reality must be quite incredible. Love the pic of you and the flowers :)

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    1. It IS an amazing carving and quite an achievement too.
      That photo of me was from the very end of August from last year and we were so happy to see the Yellow Daises blooming before we left for England in September!

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  8. Such talent, though...one can't deny it.

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    1. Roy Faulkner, imagine being able to do the work that he did!

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  9. Wow! I had noticed that carving in previous posts on the area but didn't realize the scale or history involved. Very interesting. They could make a film based around it as it's not well known in Europe. It would make a great free climb :o)

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    1. It would make a great movie!!! You might not know this about me, but I have a whole notebook of ideas for movies and this is one of them.
      If there are any famous, wealthy movie producers out there, call me!
      :-)

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  10. That is definitely a huge, impressive relief. I do love that photo of you with the yellow flowers. Are those daisies?

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  11. It is a beautiful imposing carving. I am not from the South but I have such respect for the three men depicted there. they were each following what they believed to be the honorable way. At the same time I am pleased that we are once again the united United States

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