Cherokee Rock Village, Fall 2004. Photograph by Aja Bach.
This rock outcropping atop Lookout Mountain has been known by many names over the years including Cherokee Rock Village, Little Rock City, Sand Rock and Sandrock. It is believed to have been of ceremonial importance to Native Americans. The view of Weiss Lake and the surrounding area is spectacular. Cherokee Rock Village has been popular with rock climbers since the early 1970s even before there was a road to the site. Just as with Cornwall Furnace, the society pushed for years to get the site turned into a public park. Society President, Col. Robert N. Mann, was authorized by the Cherokee County Commission to begin negotiations with Georgia Kraft to acquire the site in December, 1973. In 1974, Georgia Kraft agreed to donate the 20 acres of land that encompassed the outcropping. There were stipulations that the site had to be developed into a park and an access road had to be built to the site. The access road to the site would be built by the county. The county soon decided more land would be needed to make a usable park and negotiations resumed for additional acreage. Once again, Col. Mann began talks with Georgia Craft and The Nature Conservancy in November, 1976. In April, 1977, The Nature Conservancy purchased a total of 200 acres from Georgia Kraft for $15,000.00 for use as a public park. This 200 acres included the 20 acres that been involved in the prior negotiations. This accomplished the Society's goal of the site being preserved as a public access area. Today, the site remains a popular place for rock climbers, hikers and others who go to enjoy the outdoors. Some scenes for the film "Failure to Launch", starring Matthew McConaughey, were filmed at the Cherokee Rock Village.
The park address is 2000 County Road 70, Leesburg, AL. 35983. The park is owned and operated by the Public Parks and Recreation Board of Cherokee County, 104B Northwood Dr. Centre, AL. 35960. (256) 927-2757
