Natural Bridge in Winston County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Bald Rock

Winston County

⎯⎯⎯
Rock House

Winston County

Bald Rock Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, August 23, 2026

1. Bald Rock Marker

Inscription. Bald Rock
Winston County Located about 3,000 feet west of the Byler Road and 3,500 feet southwest of the natural bridge, stands Bald Rock, an outcropping of exposed rock about 600 feet in length. Geologically, it is part of the Pennsylvanian Pottsville formation and dates about 300 million years ago. Historically, the site served as a meeting place of Union sympathizers during the Civil War. Between 300 and 400 men, dissatisfied with the Confederacy and its conscription, met here in 1863. Some came from as far away as Jefferson County. Many of these men joined the Union army, forming a majority of Company L of the 1st AL Cavalry.

(Reverse Side)
Rock House
Winston County West of the Byler Road, lying directly underneath Bald Rock, is what is known as Rock House, a short cave that is open at each end. One side measures 13 feet in height and 6 feet at the other end. Due to its concealed location, the Rock House was a hideout for Union sympathizers evading Confederate conscription during the Civil War. John Phillips first heard about the cave from nearby property owner Buck West. Phillips and others,

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including Bill Dodd, another Union-minded person, hid here for a period of time. Dodd said he would hide under Bald Rock "until the grass grew on his back a foot long," describing those hiding as "mossbacks."

Erected 2026 by Byler Road Tourism Alliance and Alabama Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Features • Roads & Vehicles • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.

Location. 34° 5.246′ N, 87° 36.412′ W. Marker is in Natural Bridge, Alabama, in Winston County. It is on County Road 9 south of U.S. 278, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 466 Co Rd 9, Lynn AL 35575, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama.

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,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the

Rock House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, August 23, 2026

2. Rock House Marker

Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Byler Road / History of Natural Bridge (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Natural Bridge Park (approx. half a mile away); Byler Road Displaced by the Railroad (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Free State of Winston / Natural Bridge (approx. 0.6 miles away); Yankee Trace (approx. 4.4 miles away); Whitehouse Cemetery Grounds (approx. 7.7 miles away); Haleyville Ice Company (approx. 9.3 miles away); First 9-1-1 Call (approx. 9.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Natural Bridge.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Whitehouse Cemetery Grounds (was approx. 7.7 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Bald Rock / Rock House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, August 23, 2026

3. Bald Rock / Rock House Marker

Byler Road Historic Road Sign & Bald Rock / Rock House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, August 23, 2026

4. Byler Road Historic Road Sign & Bald Rock / Rock House Marker

The marker is on the right side of the road just at the edge of the trees.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 24, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.

Bald Rock

Winston County

⎯⎯⎯Rock House

Winston County

⎯⎯⎯
Rock House