Under Bill Chapin's ownership and direction over the past 37 years, See Rock City Inc. 'That was how Garnet and Frieda Carter started Rock City in 1932 and that's what we have continued through the generations of our family. 'This is a unique and special place created by God and enhanced by man that is unlike anywhere else in the country, and we've always tried to be about welcoming people here and making memories,' Bill Chapin said. 'We're looking at the opportunities to continue to make memories for our guests.'ĭespite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic that forced Rock City to close for more than seven weeks in the spring of 2020, the attraction drew nearly 600,000 visitors last year. 'Growing up here, my parents never pressured any of my sisters or me to work here, but it's a great family-owned business that I hope continues to grow over the next 90 years,' Doug Chapin said during an interview at Rock City last week.

He began working at his family's business in 2004 at age 15 when he greeted visitors dressed up as the character Rocky the Elf. The younger Chapin literally grew up in the business, living in the home known as 'Carter Cliffs' on the mountaintop property. This story has been updated to clarify the identity of the founders of Rock City.ĭoug Chapin, whose ancestors helped turn a Lookout Mountain garden into one of America's best-known attractions at Rock City, is taking over the tourism business from his father Bill next month.Ĭhapin, age 32, becomes the fifth-generation owner and fourth-generation leader of the mountaintop attraction that has lured millions of people from around the world to 'See 7 States' over the past 90 years.

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