Brasstown Bald

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Brasstown Bald (Enotah)
Observation tower atop Brasstown Bald
Elevation	4,784 feet (1,458 m)
Location	Georgia, United States
Range	Blue Ridge Mountains
Coordinates	34°52′27″N, 83°48′39″W
Topo map	USGS Jacks Gap
Easiest route	Drive or hike

Brasstown Bald is the highest point in the state of Georgia, USA, with a summit elevation of 4,784 feet (1,458 m) above mean sea level. It is known to the native Cherokee people as Enotah. It is named for the former Cherokee village of Brasstown, Georgia, located along the upper Brasstown Creek. Across the North Carolina state line, immediately to its north, is Brasstown, North Carolina, in the Brasstown Township of Clay County, North Carolina.

Brasstown Bald is partly in Towns County and in Union County. The peak is in Towns County. The mountain is part of the Blue Ridge Mountains and within the borders of the Brasstown Ranger District of the Chattahoochee National Forest. The mountain is mostly made up of soapstone and dunite.

On a clear day, it is possible to see Atlanta from the summit. The U.S. Forest Service has webcams atop the Observation tower, and a RAWS weather station further down the mountain. The public can drive to the top via Georgia State Route 180 Spur. One stage of the Tour de Georgia cycling race ends here each year.

1 History
2 T.S. Candler Memorial
3 Images
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

[edit] History

Brasstown Bald Historical Marker #2

According to the two Georgia historical markers, Brasstown Bald was first settled by the Cherokee Indians. It's name was derived by a simple Cherokee translation error by white settlers. Sounding very similar, settlers confused the word "Itse'yĭ" (New Green Place or Place of Fresh Green) with "Ûňtsaiyĭ" (Brass). Itse'yĭ, New Green Place, was used to describe the top of the mountain, as it was grassy and devoid of trees.

Cherokee legend tells of a great flood that swept over the land. Everyone that inhabited the land died except a few Cherokee families that saught refuge in a giant canoe. The canoe ran aground at the summit of the mountain. Having no game to hunt and no place to plant vegetation, the Great Spirit killed all of the trees on the top of the mountain so the surviving people could plant their crops. They continued planting until the water subsided.

Other names given to Brasstown Bald by the Cherokee: Echia, Echoee, Etchowee & Enotah.

[edit] T.S. Candler Memorial

Former Georgia Supreme Court Judge T.S. Candler is memorialized with a stone monument at Brasstown Bald. T.S. Candler was born to William Ezekiel Candler and Mary Haralson on December 15, 1890 in nearby Blairsville, Georgia. Candler was a graduate from Young Harris College in 1913 and later attended the University of Georgia Law School where he received his degree 1915. After graduating, Candler returned to Blairsville where he began to practice law and became a prominant public figure in the community. He would later be a supporter of creating a visitor's center at Brasstown Bald for the public.

In 1953, T.S. Candler became a Georgia Supreme Court Judge where he served until he retired in 1966. Judge Candler died on September 15, 1971, only 3 months after his memorial was presented.

[edit] Images

Georgia Historical Marker #1	Approaching Brasstown Bald	Aerial view of Brasstown Bald	Picnic area at Brasstown Bald
View of Hiawassee, GA	Looking north from Brasstown Bald	Looking south from Brasstown Bald	Brasstown Bald Parking as seen from Summit
Road leading up to Brasstown Bald Summit	Brasstown Bald Viewing Tower	View from Brasstown Bald in February