New Hampshire's Missing Old Man of the Mountains

Ann,

I hadn't heard that the formation had fallen.  That's really sad, as it's been a fixture since forever.  Thanks for posting.  (Wish this was an April 1 post.)

Mike in Tucson

Ann, I once heard a bluegrass song about the "old man of the mountain's coming down."  I thought is was about an old man.  Thanks for adding to my knowledge!

Ann:  What a great story.  I had never heard of this before and the pictures are wonderful.  I'm so sorry that the "old man" is gone.  Thanks for enlightening me.

Ann I used to go by this stone faced "old Man" two three times a week he is missed.

Ann I had not heard this until I read Monika's blog earlier this week about the "old man". What a shame a monument like this is no longer.

Ann, I too remember my childhood days when we would take a trip to the White Mountains and up through the "notch" craining my head to see the "Old Man" before my sibblings. I still look at the spot where he resided for so many years when driving up through Franconia and picture him still there. Of course you know I found him on the coast of Maine last summer! lol I wrote a post about it.

Ann, the old man falling made all the papers. I remember reading quote from residents who irate, casting blame towards government that "they" did not protect this landmark. Was that just yellow journalism? Were people truly angry? Could the slide have been prevented in hindsight?

Ann I believe Monika also recently did a nice blog on the "Old Man of the Mountain".  I am glad that I got to see him before he fell.

Ann, I've never heard of the old man.  What a shame.  Great piece on the history.  Thanks for sharing.

Ann, it's amazing what you can learn from blogging.  I never knew the story behind the face.  Awesome story.

Ann, it is amazing how much impact a rock formation can actually have on you.  I got goose bumps reading the post, a sense of saddness overcame me.  The childhood memories of visiting that area are so strong and still have such an emotional attachment for me.  He is well documented and will not soon be forgotten!

Ann -- What a great post!   Thanks for sharing all that information!

Mike - ah, I wish it was an April's Fools post, too, as I'm sure many in NH do....

Brian - now you know what that song was really about!  I wonder if I've ever heard that song....

Donna - we're sorry, too.  He's our logo throughout the whole state on many emblems.

Steve - you are among the lucky ones who got to see him so many times!  Do you still go by there each week?  It is weird to not see him way up there now.

Bill - it really is a shame, and you just really don't know how some kind of logo really impacts people until it's just not there any more.

Thank you all for reading and for your comments - much appreciated!
Ann

Judy - I do remember your post about finding an "Old Man" up in Maine.  Too bad that one can't be moved to where ours used to be!

Andrew - I don't think people were angry.  I think most were in shock and stunned that he just slid down the mountain one night.  I don't recall that anyone was blaming the government, but no doubt there probably were a few.  There always seem to be some somewhere that have to place blame somewhere, i guess.  And I don't think that could have been prevented at all.  Too many arm-chair quarterbacks if there were those suggesting that, in my opinion.   ;-)

George - I had read Monika's post, and I'm sure all around NH there were plenty of things written about our very special Old Man on the anniversary of his sliding away.  I'm glad you saw him, too!

Thanks for the comments!
Ann

Kay - glad you enjoyed this tiny little bit of history on NH!

Ray - yep, I learn all kinds of things from different posts I encounter - makes it that much more fun, doesn't it?

Sharon - he certainly won't be forgotten, at least not here in NH, that's for sure!  I've read a number of things written about him since he slid away, and it is really interesting the impact he had on so many people, and not just those of us who live here in NH.

Colleen - thanks!!  Glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks for reading and for your comments - I really appreciate them!
Ann

Ann, this is so sad. I don't think I ever got to see the old man but I wish I had. He looked like he belonged there. He looked like he owned it. Are there any "fables" or stories that follow him? I can certainly understand why it was difficult to lose him. Your writing is eternalizing him. You were one of the lucky ones to actually see him. Use that in your writings. It's good. Thank you for sharing with us. I'm sorry he's gone.

Later in the rain~Deb

Hi Debra - he did belong up there and had been there for hundreds of years, maybe longer.  There are all kinds of stories and documentaries surrounding our Old Man, some are in the links I included and far more can be found online on other sites.

Thanks for your comments!
Ann

Ann... this was pretty interesting. And it is sad that this did take place. I wonder if some fund will ever develope to restore this or at least try.

On another note, I see that you changed your background, I think.  In either case, I like it.

Hi Jeff - there is already a fund in place, and they are looking at ways to either restore him or some kind of memorial in that area.  I hope they do it soon - I'd love to see it become a finished product that all can enjoy.

I did fiddle with the background a little - and thanks for commenting on it!
Ann

Ann,  what a great story and I'm so glad I read about it.  Another plus to AR we get to learn some important tidmbits about different areas.  I'm sorry he is gone now and I won't be able to see him.  Glad this was featured!!

Hi Karen - Glad you found this and read it!  I agree with you about all the really neat things we learn about each other's areas - where else could we go and find all that in one spot, and get to network with those same people as well???

Thanks much for your comments!
Ann

Wow, we had no idea. We see him on the quarters that represent your state and had no idea that he had vanished. That is sad.

Hi Bob and Carolin - yep, that's our Old Man that you're looking at, and he's on all kinds of things New Hampshire related.  And it is sad.....

Thanks for reading!
Ann