2016 Map of Highlands

About this map

Highlands occupies a high plateau within the Nantahala National Forest, where the Eastern Continental Divide shapes the headwaters of major river systems. This survey captures the town's orientation around Main St and S 4th St, surrounded by a high-elevation landscape of peaks and coves. To the east, Whiteside Mtn and Devils Courthouse tower over the Whiteside Cove area, while the Cullasaja River and Chattooga River begin their descent from these mountains. The map illustrates a community defined by its geography, featuring numerous water bodies like Ravenel Lake and Cliffside Lake. Researchers can locate legacy sites including the Highlands Cem and the remote Horse Cove Cem near Granite City, reflecting the deep-rooted settlement patterns of this corner of the Cowee Mountains along the border of Macon County and Jackson County.