Stone Mountain Park in Georgia is home to a massive carving that draws visitors from all over.
The carving shows three Confederate leaders on horseback.
It’s huge – covering three acres of the granite mountain face.
The Stone Mountain carving is the biggest high relief sculpture in the world. Work on it started way back in 1915 but wasn’t finished until 1972.
The carving honors Confederate figures from the Civil War.
The carving is a big draw for the park, which gets lots of tourists.
But it’s also been part of debates about Confederate symbols.
Some want changes to the carving, while others say it should stay as-is.
The mountain itself is an amazing sight too – a big dome of exposed granite rising up from the Georgia landscape.
Historical Context
The Stone Mountain carving emerged from a complex backdrop of Civil War memory, Confederate commemoration, and racial tensions.
Its creation and reception were shaped by changing views on Southern history and identity over decades.
Civil War and Its Figures
The Confederate Memorial Carving features three key figures from the Civil War: Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, and Stonewall Jackson.
These men led the Confederate States during the 1861-1865 conflict.
Robert E. Lee commanded the Army of Northern Virginia.
Jefferson Davis served as president of the Confederacy.
Stonewall Jackson was a skilled general known for his tactics.
After the war, many Southerners looked to these men as heroes.
They became symbols of the “Lost Cause” idea that romanticized the Confederate struggle.
Confederate Imagery and Public Perception
Confederate symbols like flags and monuments became common in the South after the Civil War.
Many saw them as tributes to Southern heritage and bravery.
The Stone Mountain carving was first proposed in 1914 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
The group wanted to create a lasting memorial to the Confederacy.
But views on Confederate imagery have shifted over time.
What some see as history, others view as racist symbols tied to slavery and oppression.
The Stone Mountain Memorial Association now faces questions about how to address the carving’s controversial nature.
Civil Rights Movement and Stone Mountain
The Civil Rights era brought new scrutiny to Confederate symbols.
Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. spoke out against racial injustice in the South.
Work on the Stone Mountain carving restarted in 1964, just as the Civil Rights Movement was gaining strength.
This timing heightened tensions around the project.
The carving’s completion in 1970 came after major civil rights victories.
But it also stood as a reminder of ongoing struggles for equality.
Today, Stone Mountain remains a complex symbol.
It sparks debates about history, heritage, and the legacy of the Civil War in modern America.
Creation and Design
The Stone Mountain carving went through several stages and sculptors.
It faced big engineering challenges due to its massive size and location on the side of a granite mountain.
Sculptors and Visions
Gutzon Borglum started work on the carving in 1915.
He finished the head of Robert E. Lee in 1923.
But Borglum left the project in 1925 due to disagreements.
Augustus Lukeman took over next.
He erased Borglum’s work and started fresh.
Lukeman made good progress but ran out of money in 1928.
The project stalled for years.
In 1963, Roy Faulkner was picked to finish the carving.
He used Lukeman’s design and modern tools to complete the monument by 1972.
Monument’s Engineering Feats
Carving such a huge sculpture on Granite Mountain was very tough.
The carving covers 3 acres and goes 42 feet deep into the rock.
Workers had to hang from the mountain on scaffolds and ropes.
They used special tools to remove tons of granite without damaging the sculpture.
The high relief style makes the figures stand out from the rock face.
This required careful planning and skilled carving to create depth and detail.
New techniques like jet torches helped speed up the work in later years.
These allowed for more precise cuts in the hard granite.
Controversies and Criticism
The Stone Mountain carving has faced strong opposition due to its Confederate imagery.
Critics say it promotes racism and white supremacy.
Protests and debates about the monument have continued for decades.
Civil Rights Era Opposition
During the Civil Rights movement, the carving faced backlash.
The NAACP spoke out against the Confederate monument.
Martin Luther King Jr. mentioned Stone Mountain in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
The carving’s ties to the Ku Klux Klan added to the controversy.
The KKK held rallies at Stone Mountain in the past.
This history upset many people.
Civil rights groups pushed to stop the carving’s completion.
But work on the monument continued despite protests.
Modern Debates and Protests
Today, the debate over Stone Mountain continues.
Some want the carving removed.
Others say it should stay as a history lesson.
Protests at the park have grown in recent years.
People have held rallies calling for changes.
Some suggest adding context about slavery and the Civil War.
Park officials have made small changes.
They’ve added exhibits on African American history.
But the main carving remains in place.
Cultural and Societal Impact
Stone Mountain’s carving has shaped art, media, and public memory.
It sparked debates about history and sparked efforts to create new memorials.
Stone Mountain in Literature and Film
The mountain carving has shown up in books and movies. The film “Birth of a Nation” used Stone Mountain as a backdrop.
This helped spread Lost Cause ideas about the Civil War.
Some novels mention the carving too.
They often talk about the South’s past and present.
These stories explore how people view Confederate symbols today.
Stone Mountain also appears in documentaries.
These films look at the carving’s history and meaning.
They ask viewers to think about what such monuments represent.
Memorials and Counter-Memorials
The Stone Mountain carving is a big Confederate memorial.
It’s part of a trend that started after the Civil War.
This trend put up lots of Confederate statues and monuments.
But not everyone likes these memorials.
Some cities, like New Orleans, have taken down Confederate statues.
Others have put up new memorials to tell different stories.
At Stone Mountain, there are talks about adding new elements.
These might honor civil rights leaders or others.
The goal is to give a fuller picture of history.
Some artists have made works that respond to Stone Mountain.
These pieces often challenge the carving’s message.
They ask people to think about whose stories get told in public spaces.
Associations and Advocacy
Two groups have played key roles in promoting and preserving the Stone Mountain carving.
These organizations have deep ties to Confederate heritage and have shaped the monument’s history.
United Daughters of the Confederacy
The United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) started the Stone Mountain project.
In 1916, C. Helen Plane of the UDC had a big idea.
She wanted to carve Confederate leaders on Stone Mountain.
The UDC raised money and picked artists for the carving.
They chose Gutzon Borglum to start the work in 1923.
But Borglum and the UDC didn’t get along.
He left in 1925.
The UDC kept pushing for the carving.
They saw it as a way to honor Confederate memory.
The group helped shape how people saw the Civil War in the South.
Sons of Confederate Veterans
The Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) also backed the Stone Mountain carving.
They worked to keep Confederate symbols in public spaces.
The SCV often teamed up with the UDC.
Both groups wanted to protect what they saw as Southern heritage.
They pushed back against efforts to change or remove the carving.
In recent years, the SCV has fought to keep the carving as-is.
They say it’s part of history that shouldn’t be erased.
The group holds events at Stone Mountain to honor Confederate leaders.
Legal and Political Aspects
The Stone Mountain carving has faced many legal and political challenges over the years.
These issues involve state laws, park governance, and debates about Confederate symbols.
State Legislation
Georgia law protects Confederate monuments. A 2001 state law known as § 50-3-1 makes it hard to remove or change such memorials.
This law affects the Stone Mountain carving.
The law has sparked debate.
Some say it preserves history.
Others argue it keeps racist symbols in place.
Governor Brian Kemp supports the law.
He says it protects all Georgia monuments.
In 2020, lawmakers tried to change the law.
They wanted to allow local control over Confederate symbols.
The effort failed.
Governance and Ownership
Stone Mountain Park is run by a state authority.
The Stone Mountain Memorial Association manages the park.
The park’s day-to-day operations are handled by Herschend Family Entertainment.
They run the attractions and events.
Ownership has a complex history.
The land was once owned by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
Later, segregationist Marvin Griffin bought it.
Now, the state owns the park.
This public ownership adds to debates about the carving’s future.
The park’s board has faced pressure to address the carving.
They’ve proposed adding context about the Civil War and slavery.
Stone Mountain Today
Stone Mountain Park offers visitors a mix of natural beauty and modern attractions.
The park hosts various events throughout the year while working to address its complex history.
Attractions and Amenities
Stone Mountain Park has many fun things to do for the whole family.
Visitors can ride the Summit Skyride cable car to the top of the mountain.
There, they can take in the stunning views.
The park also offers a scenic railroad that circles the base.
The park has hiking trails, golf courses, and lakes for fishing and boating.
Kids love the dinosaur playground and the SkyHike adventure course.
One of the most popular attractions is the nightly laser show.
Colorful lasers and music light up the mountainside in a dazzling display.
The park also has hotels, campgrounds, and restaurants for guests who want to stay longer.
Events and Commemorations
Stone Mountain hosts special events throughout the year.
These include holiday celebrations, music festivals, and food and wine tastings.
The park has been working to address its Confederate history.
An advisory committee led by Rev. Abraham Mosley is looking at ways to update the park’s imagery and messaging.
Some changes have already been made.
The Confederate flag plaza was moved, and new exhibits about the area’s history were added.
The park still holds an annual Dedication Day ceremony.
But now it focuses more on the mountain’s natural beauty and recreational offerings.
Park leaders are trying to balance history with creating a welcoming place for all guests.
Educational and Cultural Preservation
The Stone Mountain carving serves as a focal point for education and cultural preservation.
It offers unique opportunities to learn about history and art while sparking important conversations about the past and present.
Notable Records and Archives
The Atlanta History Center has created a 30-minute documentary film called “Monument” about the Stone Mountain carving.
This film explores the carving’s history from many angles.
It looks at how the carving started and how it relates to events happening at the same time.
The center also keeps important records about the carving.
These include old photos, letters, and documents.
These items help people understand how the carving was made and what it meant to people over time.
Researchers and students can use these archives to learn more about the carving’s place in history.
The records show how ideas about the carving have changed over the years.
Preservation Efforts
Efforts to preserve the Stone Mountain carving focus on both its physical condition and its role in education.
Regular maintenance keeps the carving in good shape.
This includes cleaning and checking for any damage.
Educational programs help people learn about the carving’s history.
These programs often use the carving to talk about bigger topics in American history.
They look at art, politics, and social issues.
Some groups want to change how the carving is presented.
They think it’s important to give more context about when and why it was made.
This helps visitors understand its place in history better.
The carving’s future is still being discussed.
People are thinking about how to balance preserving history with addressing concerns about what the carving represents.
Future Visions and Proposals
The Stone Mountain carving faces potential changes.
Many ideas aim to address its controversial nature.
Stakeholders and community members have differing views on its future.
Redesign and Repurposing Ideas
Some propose adding new elements to the carving.
One idea is to create a “freedom bell” on top of the mountain.
This would symbolize progress and unity.
Others suggest using laser shows to alter the image temporarily.
This could display different historical figures or scenes.
A more drastic option is to remove the carving entirely.
Some want to replace it with natural rock face.
Others propose a new carving of civil rights leaders.
The Stone Mountain Park board has discussed creating a new exhibit.
It would explain the carving’s history and context.
Community and Stakeholder Input
Many groups have strong opinions about the carving’s future.
Civil rights activists often call for its removal.
Some see it as a shrine to white supremacy.
Heritage groups argue for keeping the carving as is.
They view it as an important historical monument.
Stacey Abrams, a prominent Democratic candidate, has spoken about the issue.
She supports removing Confederate symbols from public land.
The park’s operator, Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation, must balance these views.
They aim to make the park welcoming for all visitors.
Local residents have mixed feelings.
Some worry changes could hurt tourism.
Others want to see the park become more inclusive.