The Legend of the Old Man of the Mountain

Ortakales, Denise. The Legend of the Old Man of the Mountain. 2004. 40p. ISBN 978-1-58536-236-3. Available at 398.2 ORT on the library shelves.

One of New Hampshire’s most well-known feature before its collapse in 2003, the Old Man of the Mountain overlooked the Pemigewasset River. First seen by Europeans in 1805, the Old Man became a state symbol and has appeared on stamps, license plates, and road signs. But how did the Great Stone Face come about?

In a time before European arrival, people lived in what is now New Hampshire. One of the most renowned was Chief Pemigewasset, a fearless leader who defended his tribe against Mohawk encroachment from the west. During a battle both side fought, Pemigewasset met beautiful Minerwa, daughter of the Mohawk chief. Soon, the two sides were at peace and Pemigewasset and Minerwa live happily together.

One day, however, Minerwa’s brother came to her village and informed her that their father was dying and wished to see her one more time. Due to war injuries sustained in earlier conflicts, Pemigewasset could not trek on such a long trip, and he was sad that they would be separated. However, he understood that she needed to go, but he told her that he would wait for her at the Harvest Moon. He sent four warriors with her to make sure she would be safe.

Summer passed, and harvest came. Pemigewasset went back to the cliff where Minerwa had left, and waited patiently for her. But day after day, she did not return. The days got colder, and snow began to fall. Still Minerwa did not return. The Chief’s warriors told him they needed to return to the village, but Pemigewasset asked them instead to build him a hut, stack it with food and firewood, so he could remain here on the cliff and await his beloved’s return.

When members of his tribe came back in the spring, Pemigewasset had died. They buried him atop the cliff, so he could always look to the west for Minerwa’s return. As they departed, they saw the cliff’s face had been transformed by the Great Spirit and now the chief’s profile kept watch over the west. Thus the Old Man of the Mountain was born.