Sphinx Rock

Ah - but another entry into the category of Sphinxes. This one from the Santa Barbara area of California.

Profiles - Old Man & Indian Head

In a rare case of a double profile formation, we have the Old Man (or Profile Rock - as it is sometimes called) to the right, along with the Indian Head (left). Below is an actual photograph showing the Old Man.

Indian Head

Listed location is Hospital Rock, Sequoia National Park, California.

Human Face Rock

Reported to be on the beach, near Moclips, Washington.

Washington Profile

Somewhere near Rawley Springs, Virginia, Washington's Profile may still lay.

(George) Washington Profile/Profile Rock

The Washington profile as depicted on an early 1900's postcard

Sometimes known as Profile Rock, it is more often known as the George Washington Profile. Out in Central Massachusetts, it now lies surrounded by quiet woods.

Another view of George...

The Sphinx

Another entry into the category of Sphinx-like formations. This one from Australia.

The Double Profile

From a circa 1870's stereoview of the Boulder Canon, Colorado area.

Indian profile

Here we have our first entry into a somewhat 'exotic' category of profile formations. Those that are delineated by the outline of ... space! This example is from an early 1900's postcard of a cave entrance (the Devil's Den) in southern New Hampshire.

Napoleon Profile

What would France be without its own profile of Napoleon? Located at Dettey in the Burgundy section. His present day representation can be viewed at Napoleon

N* Head Rock

Early 1900's postcard image

What can one say except this depicts a less politically correct time in our history. Many of these geographic features that once used offensive names have since been renamed. Indeed, one of the most famous of these rocks using this name is located in Virginia, and since has been named the Great Stone Face.

F. & C. C. RY. references the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad.

Guardian of the Pools/Sphinx

An early 1900's postcard lists this formation as the Guardian of the Pools. An even earlier stereoscopic photo has it as the Sphinx. From South Dakota.

The Watcher

The Watcher of Cape Ann from an early 1900's postcard

Rocky shorelines are an excellent source for profile formations. The Cape Ann area of Essex County, Massachusetts is no exception. Here we have The Watcher which, in itself, is part of a larger complex of rocks know as Profile Rock.

The Watcher is still watching today

Martha Washington & McKinley

In a curious pairing on a Colfax, Washington area postcard are William McKinley and Martha Washington. The dubious profile of Martha Washington on a freestanding boulder has been pretty well documented. But this is the one and only appearance I have come across regarding Mr. McKinley.

Whipple's Stone Face

As to who Whipple might be, is lost to this individual. But somewhere out near Wentworth, New Hampshire perhaps this 'face' may still exist.

Ophit Sphinx

There's a nice old b&w image floating around the internet that also identifies this formation as the Sphinx of Ophir near Council, Alaska.

Old Man's Face

The Old Man's Face from the early 1900s

One of the most famous - and photographed - rocks from Rhode Island was the Old Man's Face. Lying in the waters just off the shoreline of Narragansett, I have been told it has mostly been destroyed.

Ben (Benjamin) Franklin

The 'lost' profile of Ben Franklin
From New Hampshire comes another one of those 'lost' (to modern Man) formations. The profile of one of our Country's Founding Fathers: Benjamin Franklin. In a second version of this old postcard, the discovery is claimed by A. E. Phinney.

Great Stone Face

The Great Stone Face

In a community park within Middlesex County, Massachusetts lies the Great Stone Face.

Washington's Profile

This old amateur photo was bought without identification. BUT comparison with a couple other known postcards identify it as Washington's Profile from the State of Maine.

Benjamin Butler

The profile of Benjamin Butler

From the Squantum section of Quincy, Massachusetts comes the profile of former Massachusetts governor, and Civil War 'celebrity', Benjamin Butler. This is a 'lost' profile as its whereabouts is not exactly known. One source puts it at Squantum Head/Chapel Rocks saying the disintegrating cliffs once resembled this profile. However, old photos and the general configuration of ledges do not support this theory. Ideas?

King Tut

This image was obtained sans identification. But comparison with another postcard identifies it as "King Tut" from North Carolina.

Another view of old King Tut from an early 1900s postcard.

Indian Head Rock

Indian Head Rock
Lying in the waters of Mackerel Cove off Conanicut Island.

Washington's Head / Great Stone Face

Early 1900s postcard
Projecting out from the cliffs in Cat Hole Pass is Washington's Head. The trap rock ledges are quite crumbly and through the years this profile has seen some deterioration. But from a distance, and under the right lighting conditions, old George can still look impressive.


George as he appears today

Negro Head

Proudly staring out to sea is the mighty Negro Head. In these days of political correctness we might simply want to call it the Great Stone Face. But Negro Head (as well as one other less politically correct name) is how history has recorded this feature. On one piece of antique photography, the photographer proudly claims it his discovery. On another - it is called the Demon of the Rocks.

Located on the island of Aquidneck in Rhode Island.


Negro Head circa 1870

In the beginning...

Every journey must have a beginning. An appropriate place to start might be the mighty Niagara Falls. In what is apparently a fallen section of old Table Rock, one seems to see the faint image of a man.

A couple things to mention here: old men, Native American faces, sphinx-like formations, and even George Washington, are among the most common features that will present themselves. And yes - certain ones will harken back to an earlier era in history with names that are now politically incorrect - and obsolete.


The Old Man at Niagara Falls - circa 1870s

Profiles in Stone

Some years ago as part of my experimentation into the world of web pages and HTML, a site once existed known as Profiles in Stone. Basically it was an extension of my investigations into rocky formations around the states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. With the downfall of AOL's free FTP space - so went Profiles in Stone.

Returning anew, the theme is now expanded to provide a much more encompassing database of stony, humanoid formations. Feel free to add to the base of knowledge through the comment section. Many of the images will be antique and I'm sure time has brought change.

So without further ado - let the journey begin...