Since 1935, the See Rock City barns have decorated the rural landscape in the United States. This barn can be found in Bartow County, Georgia. The brainchild of the Rock City developer and owner, Garnet Carter, he hired painter Clark Byers to travel the United States seeking permission to paint “See Rock City” on barns. Owners were paid with free tickets to Rock City, promotional goodies, and some money with the guarantee the sign would be maintained. Byers painted over 900 barns in 19 states.
The number of barns began to decline during the 1960s when the highway beautification movement began. Legislation passed during Lyndon Johnson’s administration restricted billboards. Coupled with the developing interstate system, barns were often lost to development. In 2019, it was estimated that there were 250 barns left. Those barns still get a fresh coat of paint when needed.
In 2024, the state of Tennessee was working to get remaining signs listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
As a young child I remember one of the “See Rock City” barns in Iron City Ga. I was always really curious about it. Later in life it learned of the story of see Rock City. Unfortunately this barn is no longer there. I miss it and Im sure others do to. As historic landmarks I believe these places should be kept and preserved the best they can be if they can be.