It was like a joke that had no punch line, after standing guard over New Hampshire's White Mountains for centuries, the Granite states rugged profile is gone.
The Old Man of the Mountain - a jagged, granite profile located in the White Mountain National Park has slid into history as mysteriously as he appeared. Sometime in the late evening of May 2, 2003 or early morning hours of Saturday, May 3, 2003 New Hampshire's symbol of freedom and independance vanished, the victim no-doubt of a late-spring thaw that loosened the famous profile. The profile was obscured by clouds on Thursday and Friday, so the exact time of the Old Man's departure is not known.
On Sunday morning, May 4th State of New Hampshire workers could be seen examining the ledges that once were known at "Old Man of the Mountain". Visitors began arriving to this well-know attraction shortly after sunrise. Some to pray, some to photograph, some to leave a message, and others to see for themselves the departure of what many thought would be a lifelong reminder of New Hampshire.
One of New Hampshire's most-photographed natural wonders, The Old Man of the Mountain has attracted millions of visitors since in 1800's. The profile was about 1,200 feet above Interstate 93, about 65 miles north of Concord, NH in the White Mountain National Park.
Daniel Webster, a 19th century New Hampshire statesman, once wrote, referring to the Old Man, "In the mountains of New Hampshire, God Almighty has hung out a sign to show that there He makes men." That symbol is gone but the beauty of this region lives on and his spirit reminds all of us that change is inenvitable and often arrives without notice.
| The "Old Man of the Mountain" viewing area binoculars now display a close-up view of a sheer ledge, the "Old Stone Face" configuration of granite gone. View a larger view of the image to your right by clicking on the photograph. |
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Photographs
of the
Old Man of the Mountain
Before (above) &
After (below)
The site of what was "The Old Man of the Mountain" now a sheer cliff
in New Hampshire's White Mountains. Photo taken May 4, 2003 by Rick Rock, NHLiving.com
area 
