Blowing Rock in Watauga County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Blowing Rock
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2011
1. Blowing Rock Marker
Inscription.
The Blowing Rock. . This 250 million year old cliff formation is North Carolina's oldest travel attraction. Located at 4,000 feet above sea level, The Blowing Rock is the town's namesake. The phenomenon is so called because the rocky walls of the gorge form a flume through which the northwest wind sweeps with such a force that it returns light objects cast over the chasm.
This 250 million year old cliff formation is
North Carolina's oldest travel attraction.
Located at 4,000 feet above sea level,
The Blowing Rock is the town's namesake.
The phenomenon is so called because
the rocky walls of the gorge form a flume
through which the northwest wind sweeps
with such a force that it returns light
objects cast over the chasm.
Erected by The Town of Blowing Rock, and Blowing Rock Historical Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.
Location. 36° 7.031′ N, 81° 39.775′ W. Marker is in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, in Watauga County. Marker can be reached from Cliff Lane, on the right. Located south of the town of Blowing Rock off of US 321, at the Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blowing Rock NC 28605, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Blowing Rock Marker just left of the flagpole and Visitor Center
Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 12, 2011
3. Blowing Rock and legend
Coordinates: 36.117216 -81.661838
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2011
4. The Legend Of Blowing Rock
It is said that a Chickasaw chieftan, fearful of a white man’s admiration for his beautiful daughter, hid her atop a high craggy cliff the care of a squaw mother. One day she spied a Cherokee brave in the wilderness below and playfully shot an arrow at him. Soon he appeared before her wigwam,and in the days that followed the became sweethearts. One evening a prophetic red sky beckoned him to return to his people. The lonely maiden begged him not to go.. But torn between his love for her and his duty to his people, he leaped from the rock into the ominous night. Falling to her knees, she prayed to the spirits for his return; and as she did, a strange heavenward breeze blew her lover back into her outstretched arms. Since that day, this cliff with the mysterious upward wind has been known as The Blowing Rock.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 12, 2011
5. The Legend Of The Blowing Rock Marker
Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 12, 2011
6. The Legend Of The Blowing Rock
Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 12, 2011
7. Blowing Rock
Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 12, 2011
8. Blowing Rock view across the chasm, rain in the distance
Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 23, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 791 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on June 23, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.