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The Stone Door

Step Into Yesterday

Running from the top of the escarpment into the gorge below, the Stone Door was once used by Native Americans as a passageway. As shown here, it winds up and around the corner, with 153 steps.

It’s located at the Savage Gulf State Natural Area of the South Cumberland State Park, in Beersheba, Tennessee, and can be visited by hikers along a one mile trail.

You can also enjoy it from the comfort of your home, when you visit my gallery at Pixels.

Several print types are available, including: framed, canvas, art, metal, poster, wood, acrylic and tapestry.

Thank you for stopping by!

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19 responses to “The Stone Door”

  1. Dawn Pisturino Avatar
    Dawn Pisturino

    Did the natives build these stone steps or do they occur naturally?

    Reply
    1. Phil Avatar
      Phil

      I’ve looked without clarity, though suspect the steps were placed by human hands; which makes sense, as there is no other immediate area from which to descend into the gorge – to the river below.

      Reply
      1. Dawn Pisturino Avatar
        Dawn Pisturino

        It looked manmade, but then, nature has done some incredible things! Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
  2. Offshorewriter Avatar
    Offshorewriter

    Oh… Beautiful Mr Phil 👏. Thanks for sharing

    Reply
    1. Phil Avatar
      Phil

      So glad you like it, dear Preeths ~ thank you 🤗🌹

      Reply
  3. Diana Lobos Avatar
    Diana Lobos

    Wow! 👌 Beautiful 💯

    Reply
    1. Phil Avatar
      Phil

      Thank you, dear Diana ~ glad you like it 🤗🌹

      Reply
      1. Diana Lobos Avatar
        Diana Lobos

        ✨✨✨✨✨

        Reply
  4. House of Heart Avatar
    House of Heart

    This is so amazing, such a treasure, lovely photographs! 🦋🌹

    Reply
    1. Phil Avatar
      Phil

      You’re sweet, Holly ~ thank you. 😘

      Reply
      1. House of Heart Avatar
        House of Heart

        You too dear Phil! 😘

        Reply
  5. partyepartenze Avatar
    partyepartenze

    Beautiful staircase!

    Reply
    1. Phil Avatar
      Phil

      Thank you, Paola ~ glad you like it 🙂

      Reply
  6. Michele Lee Avatar
    Michele Lee

    Cool capture, Phil. I wonder when the steps were placed.

    Reply
    1. Phil Avatar
      Phil

      Good morning, Michele. 🌞🌹 That’s a good question. I’ve read that this passage was originally used by Native Americans, providing a manageable trail below the tall cliffs, into the gorge – with a sizable but sloped descent remaining, thereafter, to the river. As for the “when”…not sure. However, at Northrup Falls (northern, mid-TN), there were cliff dwelling Indians roughly 3000 years ago. Given that this is a State Park with visitor access encouraged, though, I suspect (but don’t know) that, at some point, the steps may have been reworked for safety concerns.

      Reply
      1. Michele Lee Avatar
        Michele Lee

        Good day! Thank you for the info. Very interesting. Many Native American sites around AZ too.

        Reply
        1. Phil Avatar
          Phil

          My pleasure my friend. 😎

          Reply
  7. tiffanyarpdaleo Avatar
    tiffanyarpdaleo

    Fantastic!

    Reply
    1. Phil Avatar
      Phil

      TY Tiffany 🙏🏼😊

      Reply

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