Old Man of the Mountain:
(From Wikipedia)The Old Man of the Mountain is called "Stone Face"
by the Abenaki and is a symbol within their culture. It is
also a symbol to the Mohawk people. The first written mention
of the Old Man was in 1805. It became a landmark and a cultural
icon for the state of New Hampshire. It collapsed on May 3,
2003. After its collapse, residents considered replacing
it with a replica, but the idea was ultimately rejected. It
remains a visual icon on the state's license plates and in
other places.
The Legend:
According to Abenaki legend, a human named Nis Kizos was born
during an eclipse. He became a good leader and provider for
his community. Nis Kizos was successful enough to attend Kchi
Mahadan, a great gathering of other communities to trade.
Tarlo, a beautiful Iroquois woman, returned with him. They fell in love. Tarlo had to return to her birth village because its people had been struck by a sickness. Nis Kizos promised he would live at the top of the mountain. By day he would look out for her, and at night he would light a fire to guide her back.
With winter fast approaching, the elders sent Nis Kizos's brother Gezosa to bring him back. He was unsuccessful because Nis Kizos maintained his promise. Tarlo died in her birth village of sickness. After the winter Gezosa went back up the mountain to bring the news of Tarlo and retrieve Nis Kizos. He found no signs of the existence of Nis Kizos and was stricken with sadness. On his way back down the mountain he looked back and found Nis Kizos had become part of the mountain as a stone face to look after the land.
A modern addition to the Abenaki legend is that when Stone Face fell in 2003, he finally was re-united with Tarlo. The Great Circle was rejoined.