The mountain face that became a state emblem before it collapsed

Wars & Conflicts · Published 16 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: For nearly two centuries, a jagged granite cliff in New Hampshire appeared as a human profile. It inspired legends of eternal love, became a national literary icon, and served as a state emblem—until it literally crumbled into the valley in the early hours of 2003.

The Old Man of the Mountain was a 40-foot-tall granite formation on Cannon Mountain, situated 1,200 feet above Profile Lake. While it appeared to be a human face to the north, its geological origins date back to the Wisconsin glaciation between the 17th and 6th millennia BC. As glaciers retreated roughly 12,000 years ago, the freeze-thaw cycles of water in the granite bedrock carved the distinct fissures that created the 'Stone Face.'

The formation held deep cultural significance long before it became a tourist destination. The Abenaki people recognized it as a symbol, rooted in a legend about a leader named Nis Kizos. According to the myth, Nis Kizos promised to stay atop the mountain to watch over his lover, Tarlo, who died of sickness. When his brother Gezosa later searched for him, he found only a stone face—the man transformed into rock to guard the land. This narrative evolved in 2003, with modern additions suggesting the collapse of the cliff was the moment Nis Kizos was finally reunited with Tarlo.

In the 19th century, the site gained national fame through the writings of statesman Daniel Webster and author Nathaniel Hawthorne, who published 'The Great Stone Face' in 1850. The state began active preservation in 1916, eventually designating it the state emblem in 1945. Despite efforts to reinforce the 'forehead' with chains in the 1920s and cement in 1957, the formation collapsed on May 3, 2003. While a replica was considered, the state ultimately chose to build a memorial featuring 'Steel Profilers' to recreate the visual experience of the lost landmark.

theme-key: stories-behind mood-key: reflective difficulty-key: 2

topics-key: [geology, folklore, landmarks]

claims-key: ["The formation was 40 feet tall and 25 feet wide.", "The Old Man of the Mountain collapsed on May 3, 2003. Following the glacial withdrawal 12,000 years ago, water likely underwent freeze-thaw cycles within granite fissures to create the structure.", "The Abenaki legend describes a man named Nis Kizos who became a stone face to look after the land.", "The state legislature passed a $25,000 appropriation in 1957 for weatherproofing the formation. In 1945, New Hampshire designated the Old Man as its State Emblem."]

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The summit where a future President learned he was now in charge
• A mountain peak redefined by 560 million years of tectonic shifting
• Mount Mitchell is the highest peak in North America east of the Mississippi River.
• The geological mystery of the mountains made from old rocks
• New England's stone walls are full of boulders carried for miles by ice
• How the Oneida people became the pivotal allies of the American Revolutionaries
• The Odawa were master traders whose name became synonymous with Great Lakes commerce
• The strategic retreat that traded territory for time and survival
• From High Kings to Exile: The Rise and Fall of the O'Neill Dynasty
• The fortress that survived empires, treachery, and total devastation
• How a 10th-century conquest birthed an Irish dynasty
• The 45-year struggle for Oromo self-determination

More in Early modern wars · More in Wars & Conflicts · Latest · A–Z · All topics