When Garnet and Frieda Carter wanted to spread the word out about their whimsical mountaintop garden, they hired Clark Byers to paint “SEE ROCK CITY” and similar messages on barn roofs near and far. This kicked off one of the most iconic advertising campaigns in American history.
Author Judith Hill Garrison reflects on the legendary roadside barns that put Rock City on the map in her newly released book, “See Rock City Barns.” Meet Garrison in person at a book signing at Rock City on May 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Gardens Gateway Gift Shop.
About the author
Judith Garrison is a travel writer who works alongside her husband, Len, a photojournalist. The couple own a photography studio in Hayesville, North Carolina and publish their adventures in Seeing Southern Travel Magazine and other national and international outlets. Their goal is to inspire readers of all ages to explore local and far-away destinations.
Garrison’s literary career began in 2015 with the release of her historical non-fiction book, “North Georgia Moonshine: A History of the Lovells and Other Liquor Makers.” In 2022, the couple co-authored “100 Things to Do in Athens GA Before You Die.” Her latest book on Rock City barns is the culmination of archival research and field trips with Len to many of the famous barns across the map.
Discover the barns that made Rock City famous
Garrison’s book explores the bygone era of no-rules advertising, which at its peak saw more than 900 Rock City barns painted throughout the Southeast and as far away as Michigan and Texas. Today, only remnants remain in varying states of preservation, yet they still evoke the distinct rustic charm of America’s backroads.
“See Rock City Barns” is available at Rock City and on the online gift shop. It makes for a perfect read ahead of Barns2Birdhouses—a celebration of Rock City’s legendary piece of Americana.
This summer Rock City commemorates America’s semi quincentennial 250th anniversary celebration with a look back on its barn legacy. Barns2Birdhouses will be reimagining the evolution of this historic icon in a creative and collaborative way. On display within the gardens will be 500 birdhouses painted by local school kids and mentoring groups. Outside of the gardens Rock City has enlisted the help of local artists to turn the barns and birdhouses into large-scale works of art catapulting this legacy into the pop-art sphere rooted in creative, out-of-the box thinking.
Stroll through the gardens to take in the work of local kids then head on an adventure through Chattanooga searching for the next iteration of Rock City’s historic barns.