You are standing on the Eastern Continental Divide

You are standing on the Eastern Continental Divide. . The Eastern Continental Divide is a naturally occurring high ridge in the eastern United States that separates falling water into streams and rivers that flow into either the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. The ridge begins in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania, runs south along the peaks and ridges of the Appalachian Mountains through Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and ends in southern Florida., This high ridge played a significant role in the American Revolution. In 1763, the British issued a Proclamation that prohibited any new settlements west of the Eastern Continental Divide. This Proclamation angered the colonists, who wanted to continue their westward expansion into new lands, who did not like taking orders from England, and who wanted to be free to chart their own destiny., The Eastern Continental Divide also played an important role in the early history of Norcross. It was first an Indian trail, then a major stagecoach route, and later on a railroad line. Atlanta entrepreneur J. J. Thrasher purchased 250 acres around the first stop north along the railroad line. One year later the area was incorporated, and Mr. Thrasher named the new town for his good friend and fellow entrepreneur Jonathan Norcross, who was the fourth mayor of Atlanta.