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1988 Map of Hightower Bald

Name: 1988 Topographic Map of Hightower Bald
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1988
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1988

About this map

Tate City sits within a deep mountain valley where the Tallulah River begins its southward course toward Lake Burton. This 1988 survey captures the intersection of the Nantahala National Forest and the Chattahoochee National Forest along the high ridges of the North Carolina Georgia border. The landscape is defined by its extreme elevation, anchored by the massive Hightower Bald and the winding path of the Appalachian Scenic Trail as it crosses Bly Gap.

The settlement pattern reflects the area's isolation, with small communities like Persimmon and Tate City tucked into narrow river bottoms. Genealogists and local historians can locate many named landmarks such as King Chapel, Roadside Park, and numerous family-named peaks including Wheeler Knob and Buzzard Knob. The map detail shows the intricate network of watercourses, such as Coleman River and Plumorchard Creek, that feed the regional watershed.