Healing Rock in the Pines

Sunset Avenue Extension

The rock in the ground in the Pines was the center of many Message Services back in the early days of camp. As the 1890 program tells us, "The Groves Were God's First Temples." Spend some time in the energy of this beautiful place, our original Healing Rock.

This picture from the 1880s shows hundreds of people gathering at the Healing Rock to get messages.

This is the first photograph that Sylvia Richards Dean gave to Diane, who in turn gave it to Camp Etna. Some people ask, “Why isn’t anybody smiling in old pictures?” The explanation is simple, when this photo was taken the people had to hold the pose for nearly a minute and it is much easier to hold a somber, straight face than it is to hold a smile. So, even though the people in the photo look very somber they were here to listen, learn and have a good time. People came here from around the world to listen to lecturers talk about what happens after life on earth, great music and dancing. In 1890 a Dance ticket cost 25 cents per couple and dinner was served at the Boarding House for 50 cents.