The Old Man of the Mountain, once a permanent fixture hovering 1,200 feet above Profile Lake in
Franconia Notch State Park, was a natural rock formation that began an estimated 200 million years ago. The Great Stone Face or Profile, as it was nicknamed, was made from a series of five separate granite ledges arranged to appear in the form of a man's profile until the nose and forehead disappeared in 2003.
Discovered in 1805, the Old Man at once drew over 40,000 visitors per year, has been the State symbol for New Hampshire and was chosen as the representation for the New Hampshire Quarter. Plans are being made for restoration of the Old Man of the Mountain.
Before its collapse, The Old Man could be viewed year-round from two different viewing areas on I-93 in Franconia Notch State Park: a pull-off on the northbound side of the highway and on the southbound side of the highway off Exit 34B.