It's still hard to look at a New York state quarter without thinking of the tragedy that occurred within sight of the Statue of Liberty. And now another state quarter is tinged with sadness. The following is a news release about the collapse of the Old Man of the Mountain.

Rain and Wind Bring Down New Hampshire's Old Man

FRANCONIA, N.H. -- New Hampshire awoke Saturday to find that its stern granite symbol of independence and stubbornness, the Old Man of the Mountain, had collapsed into indistinguishable rubble.

The fall ended nearly a century of efforts to protect the 40-foot-tall landmark from the same natural forces that created it. Only stabilizing cables and epoxy remained Saturday where the famous ledges had clung.

"There's only so much you can do," said Mike Pelchat, a state parks official who hiked up the mountain Saturday to make sure there were no signs of foul play.

"With heavy rains and high winds and freezing temperatures, the combination was just right to loosen him up," he said.

"We always thought it was the hand of God holding him up, and he let go."

It was unclear when the outcropping fell from Cannon Mountain because clouds had obscured the area Thursday and Friday [May 1 & 2, 2003]. A state park trails crew reported Saturday morning that the Old Man of the Mountain was gone.

Gov. Craig Benson quickly declared that the face should be restored. He said in a written statement that he was meeting with state officials and planned to form a fund to take donations for the project.

"I am committed to doing everything possible to restore this important monument to our Granite State," he said.

The Old Man was New Hampshire's most recognizable symbol.

It appears on the state quarter, on state road signs and on countless souvenirs and tourist brochures. Millions of tourists have traveled through Franconia Notch to view the profile, 1,200 feet above Interstate 93 about 65 miles north of Concord.

In the 19th century, the profile inspired New Hampshire statesman Daniel Webster to write: "In the mountains of New Hampshire, God Almighty has hung out a sign to show that there he makes men."

The state had used cables and epoxy to try for years to keep the rock profile from falling from erosion and the natural freeze/thaw cycle.

Those who did the work had warned that a collapse was inevitable, but few thought they would live to see it.

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The above is a reprint of the article: "Rain and Wind Bring Down New Hampshire's Old Man." Kansas City Star 4 May 2003: A2.