Monterey in Putnam County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Standing Stone Monument
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 15, 2016
1. Standing Stone Monument Marker
The sandstone rock atop this lighthouse-shaped pedestal is the only known remaining fragment of the 16-ft dog-shaped monolith that stood for centuries ½ mile to the west, marking an area of peace for the American Indians who travelled and hunted the Cumberland Plateau. The origin of the stone monolith, Nee Yah Kah Tah Kee (Cherokee words meaning Standing Stone) pre-dates written history. On October 17, 1895, the monolith, diminished over time and finally removed by the railroad laying tracks to Monterey, was memorialized by the fraternal organization Improved Order or Red Men, Narragansett Tribe, No. 25, and dedicated to Monterey before a crowd of 3,000. The irregular shaped stones used to form the base symbolized the bond of freedom, charity and friendship that should exist between all people. In 1979, the Town of Monterey, by proclamation, established Standing Stone Day to honor the heritage of the Standing Stone monolith and what it represented to the area's history. Standing Stone Day is celebrated the second Saturday in October with the placing of a ceremonial wreath and tomahawk at the monument base to remind us to always be at peace with one another.
Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical date for this entry is October 17, 1895.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker and monument is in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Standing Stone (here, next to this marker); Ludwig Lamp (approx. Ό mile away); Phillips Shoes (approx. Ό mile away); Cup and Saucer (approx. Ό mile away); Gen. John T. Wilder (approx. Ό mile away); Stokes' Atrocity (approx. Ό mile away); The Wilder Block (approx. 0.3 miles away); Post Office (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monterey.
Also see . . .
1. Standing Stone American Indian Cultural Center. Tennessee WordSmith website entry:
Early American settlers in the area discovered a large monolithic stone on a sandstone ledge (reports on its height vary, ranging from 8 to 16 feet)- travelers described it as looking like a dog sitting on its haunches. Legend says the stone served as a marker on the Tollunteeskee Trail, which served as a trade route between several Indian tribes, and that it may have been a boundary marker between the Cherokees and the Shawnees (some say Chickasaws -the fact is, both Shawnees and Chickasaws claimed the area at various times.) (Submitted on October 21, 2016, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 15, 2016
2. Standing Stone Monument Marker
2. The History of the Standing Stone. Active Rain website entry:
According to an old Cherokee legend, the Standing Stone represented a sitting bear. The legend has it that a young hunter went out in the woods to find food for the tribe. While on this journey, a storm came and he needed to seek shelter. This storm would not pass until the morning so he camped out all night. The next morning as he awoke, he was distressed and was unaware of where he was. The sky was clear and he climbed to the peak of a stone. As the young hunter was looking around, he noticed he was at the base of a stone that resembled a sitting bear-Standing Stone. He immediately ran back to camp and shared his experience and the tribe celebrated the sacredness of this rock. (Submitted on October 21, 2016, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 15, 2016
3. Standing Stone Monument Marker
Improved Order of Red Men
under the Auspices of the Great Council of the U. S.
10th Sun Traveling Moon G.S.D. (Great Sun of Discovery) 404
The order used 1492 as their calendar's base year, so this monument was dedicated in 1896.
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 15, 2016
4. Standing Stone Monument Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2016, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 3,785 times since then and 265 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 21, 2016, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
