1946 Map of Hightower Bald

About this map

The Appalachian Trail follows the high ridges of the Blue Ridge Divide in this mid-century survey, crossing through the Nantahala National Forest and Chattahoochee National Forest. This high-altitude borderland between North Carolina and Georgia is defined by prominent peaks like Hightower Bald and Sharp Top, while the narrow valleys below support small mountain communities. Educational and spiritual centers such as the Tate City Sch and Plumorchard Ch provide evidence of localized settlement patterns along the Tallulah River and its tributaries. To the south, the waters of Burton Reservoir mark a shift in the landscape, while the Scenic Highway winds through the southern gaps, illustrating the development of regional transportation during the post-war era.