Newspaper Page Text
Stone Mountain sculpture
... defies comparison
Walker Hancock of Glou
chester, Mass., who took over
in 1963, is the final sculptor to
work on the Stone Mountain
Carving. He was selected
through international competi
tion to complete the memorial,
first begun in 1917 by Gutzon
Borglum, who did the Mt.
Rushmore figures. A second
sculptor, Augustus Lukeman,
succeeded Borglum in 1925
and continued until work on
the project was suspended in
1928.
The massive and intricate
sculpture, hewn into solid
granite half way up the 800
foot sheer north face of the
mountain, features the
mounted figures of Confed
erate heroes Jefferson Davis
and Generals Robert E. Lee
and Thomas (Stonewall) Jack
son.
The largest sculpture in the
world, the work covers an area
larger than a football field. The
figure of Lee stands 80 feet
tall.
“We can relate this sculp
ture to Mt. Rushmore or the
figures of Rameses II at Abu
Simbel or the Sphinx at Gizeh
or to the Behistun Rock,” said
Hancock, “but there really is
no valid comparison to this
LUNCH WITH LEE — In a recent pre-dedication ceremony
luncheon was served on a platform on General Lee’s shoulder.
Among those present for the high noon affair were (1 to r) Mrs.
Mary Payne, a member of the PR staff of Stone Mountain
Assn.; Tom Elliott, general manager of the park; Bill Kinney,
secretary of the association; Roy Faulkner, (standing) chief
carver of the monument; Secretary of State Ben Fortson;
Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin; Dr. Lane Mitchell of
Georgia Tech, and Attorney General Arthur Bolton, members
of the Stone Mountain Assn.
6
work. The Stone Mountain
carving is bigger than any other
in the world but this is only
part of the story.
“The four seated figures of
Rameses II at Abu Simbel,
Egypt, for instance, stand 65
feet high but they are carved
into a flat cliff wall. In relief,
they are like pencil drawing
compared to the depth of the
Stone Mountain carving.
“The figure on the famous
Behistun Rock stands 20 feet
high, but compared to figures
on the side of Stone Mountain,
this centuries-old work would
appear as though it were mere
ly scratched into the stone.
“Look for a moment at the
back of General Lee’s horse,
Traveler. The relief is so deep
that you can ride a full-size
horse along Traveler’s back and
have room to spare.
“Yet with all the enormity
of this sculpture, it has been
our intent to make the effect
more than that of a large
photograph hewn into the
mountain. We have attempted
to go beyond the literal, to
create a composition that ap
pears to grow out of the gran
ite of the mountain with some
thing of the mystical effect of
a vision.”
-■ • aw**** ■ < •> • A
Georgia salutes its hospitality vendors
If you want true hospital
ity — Southern style — just va
cation in Georgia!
Not only does Georgia offer
the finest in family recreation
and fun - big city entertain
ment — outstanding historic
sites - exciting tourist attrac
tions - wonderful food — rus
tic camping facilities — plush
hotels and motels — Georgia
has that unique factor - its
people.
The visitor to Georgia finds
a warm welcome from friendly
native Georgians who like to
talk about their state and are
gracious hosts.
This year Georgia’s travel
industry, recognizing the im
portance of the state’s key
public relations people, saluted
all of them by honoring twelve
of those on the front-line in
meeting visitors to the state.
“It has been an inspiring opportunity to complete
this half-century-old dream. ” We have attempted to
create a truly worthy monument to the ideals and
achievements of the South and the great contribution
of the Southern heritage to our national life and
character. The symbolism of the carving is intended
to go far deeper than the immediate issues of the war.
It is intended not as a monument to a lost cause but
as an eternal tribute to that period of American
history, which, though tragic, gave birth to the united
country we are today.
“No such monument has ever before been at
tempted in this country, nor will such an opportunity
ever again exist. ”
Walker Hancock
Governor Lester Maddox
named them “Tourist Ambass
ador Extraordinaire.” Each of
the twelve was given a citation
from the Georgia Travel Com
mission and a cash gift. The
citation was presented during
the annual Governor’s Confer
ence on Tourism.
Among those honored
were: Brian Jenne, bell captain
at the Atlanta Marriott Motor
Hotel; Thelma Scarborough, re
tail clerk at Rock City Gar
dens, Jackie Harrington, Wel
come Center hostess, Georgia
Department of Industry &
Trade; Susan Marre, telephone
operator, Southern Bell Tele
phone & Telegraph Co.; Wendy
Kneen, ticket clerk, Six Flags
Over Georgia; Captain Harry
Schmid, Decatur Police Depart
ment; Mel Anderson, driver,
Greyline Tours; Clayton McEl-
roy, driver, Pike Transfer;
Tony Foster, service station
attendant, Standard Oil of
Kentucky; June Roman, regis
tration clerk, Holiday Inn of
Atlanta; and Grady Smith, bell
man, White House Motel,
Atlanta.
Georgia has more tourists
every year and there is a wel
come center operated by the
Tourist Division of the Georgia
Department of Industry &
Trade at every major entry into
the state.
Many Georgians are actively
engaged in promoting the
state’s tourism development.
The steady increase in tourism
income in Georgia shows the
results of their splendid efforts.
If you are a native Geor
gian —or a visitor to the
state — See Georgia First - this
summer. You’ll like the state
and its people!
Vacation '7O