Washington's Profile

There are a number of different postcards of this guy floating about. This rarer view is taken from a Magic Lantern Slide. He is suppose to be located at York, Maine.

Pompadour Rock

I have come across just two different postcard views of this formation. This is a much rarer - and difficult to find - view. It's credited with being located on Mt. Tamalpias in California. Despite my best efforts, I am unable to find exactly where, and if it still exists.

The Old Man of Joppa

The section of Gloucester that once was known as Joppa, is really no mystery. So where might this poor guy be? Lost in the woods. Or chewed up for ballast or to build condos on.

The Profile of George Washington

Lying in the general region of Bass Rocks, old George can still be seen today. If you know just where to look.

The following are the two most common postcards, from the early 1900s, capturing Washington lying in repose. Looking skyward.

Upon close inspection, one will see that two different sections of rock, in perfect alignment, make up the illusion of GW's facial profile. At low tide, this is shown in the modern day closeup photograph.

Profiles of Massachusetts

Berkshire County:

The Old Man: North Adams   Small formation, top of quarry wall @ Natural Bridge.

Old Man in the Mountain: near Bash Bish Falls     Location known but not seen. Overgrown?

Old Man of the Mountain: Great Barrington

Profile Rock: North Adams   Crude formation in the Gorge @ Natural Bridge. 1880s

       images and literature.

Bristol County:

Profile/Indian Head: Assonet (Freetown)      Numerous photos/postcards.

Essex County:

George Washington Profile: Gloucester      Several postcards

Lady of Rock/Stone Face: Gloucester      Couple postcard depictions

Old Mother Ann: Gloucester      Numerous postcards/photos

Old Man of Joppa: Gloucester      Postcard. Lost!

Chief Wingaersheek: Gloucester      One postcard. Somewhat exaggerated.

Father Neptune: Rockport     Several postcards. One with Mrs. Neptune.

The Great Gargoyle: Rockport

Norseman/Profile Rock: Salem       Several postcards. Baker's Island.

Oldest Inhabitant of Rockport:    Rockport One postcard. Lost!

Old Man of the Sea: Rockport    Resulting shape of waves upon rocks.

Profile Rock: Rockport

Sleeping Pirate: Lynn

The Skull: Ipswich     One postcard. Markings on boulder. Faded

Sphinx: Gloucester     Presumed destroyed. By Rafes Chasm.

Uncle Joe: Gloucester    One postcard. Boulder by ocean. Gone?

The Watcher & Profile Rocks: Rockport     At the Devil's Den

Washington Profile: Essex     Locally known.

Witch: Lynn     Light/angle induced near Dungeon Rock

Franklin County:

Profiles: Whately     Mostly phenomena of lighting. Old postcard

Stone Face/Profile Rock: Rowe     Two old postcards. Mostly unrecognizable

Hampshire County:

Old Man of the Valley/Old Man in the Rocks: Chesterfield     On the Gorge wall

Middlesex County:

Great Stone Face: Melrose     In local park

Old Man of the Fells: Medford     Generally presumed to be destroyed.

Norfolk County:

Ben Butler: Quincy     Destroyed. One old postcard

Daniel Webster: Cohasset

Sphinx/Queen Victoria & Profile: Weymouth     At House rock. Postcards/photos show two.

Plymouth County:

Lady Abington: Abington    Destroyed

Nubian Head Rock: Scituate     Difficult to find and indistinct.

Old Man of the Rocks: Scituate

Profile Rock: Wareham     Partially buried.

Worcester County:

George Washington/Profile Rock: Templeton

Indian (Head) Rock: Barre

Old Poet: Shrewsbury     Probable face on side of Balance Rock

Profile Rock: Clinton     Boulder formation

Profile Rock: Clinton     Exists/existed in RR cut.

Profile Rock/Nixon Profile: Royalston    Another locally known site

Chief Wingaersheek

Most of this is at the very least, mild exaggeration. Wingaersheek is not even Native American in origin. The formation is likely a result of quarrying and the postcard view is 'tipped' at an angle to it's realistic view.

Here is a comparison of how "The chief" looks in more modern days. The modern day photo has been rotated to approximate what is shown in the old postcard image

And a detail of the modern day 'profile' features.

Washington Boulder

In this rarer view, the whole of the boulder containing George Washington's profile, may be seen.