Lookout Mountain in Walker County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

What's in a Name?

Photographed by Jason Armstrong, October 19, 2023

1. What's in a Name? Marker

Inscription. In 1823, two missionaries named David Butrick and William Chamberlain came to the Lookout Mountain area to minister to the Native Americans. Reverend Butrick made an entry in his diary stating, "In company with Mr. Chamberlain, I ascended Lookout Mountain to visit a citadel of rocks." He went on to describe the immense size of the boulders, which seemed to be situated in such a way, "as to afford streets and lanes." Rock City has a 90-year history of nurturing and celebrating its natural place through stewardship and sustainability while finding unique ways to enhance and share this enchanted place.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Parks & Recreational Areas • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1823.

Location. 34° 58.412′ N, 85° 20.959′ W. Marker is in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, in Walker County. It can be reached from Patten Road south of Rock City Trail, on the left when traveling south. Marker is on the grounds of Rock City Gardens. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1400 Patten Rd, Lookout Mountain

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GA 30750, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Mountains. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Nature Inspires Art (a few steps from this marker); Can You Imagine? (within shouting distance of this marker); See Seven States (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Do You See 7 States? (about 500 feet away); Lookout Mountain Educational Institute (approx. 0.8 miles away in Tennessee); Federal Entrenchments (approx. 0.8 miles away in Tennessee); Confederate Position, 1863 (approx. one mile away in Tennessee); The University of The South (approx.

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1½ miles away in Tennessee). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lookout Mountain.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2026, by Jason Armstrong of Talihina, Oklahoma. This page has been viewed 65 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on January 11, 2026, by Jason Armstrong of Talihina, Oklahoma. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?