Logan Turnpike

Logan Turnpike. . Over 200 years ago lack of roads and other transportation routes made trade difficult for residents of North Georgia mountains. Established in 1821, for 7.5 miles Logan Turnpike toll road, which traveled through Tesnatee Gap, connected Cleveland, Georgia to Blairsville, Georgia, and quickly became a vital trade route for the area. For a small fee, the turnpike made it possible for remote mountains settlements passage through the mountains by way of horse-drawn wagons to surrounding towns., Previously isolated communities now had the opportunity to trade produce, livestock and forest products such as ginseng and chestnuts for store-bought' items such as coffee, sugar and shoes. The road, so steep and rugged, would often require wagons to drag fair sized trees behind them to keep form running over the horses. Logan's Turnpike remained well used into the 1920s until the road was abandoned after the completion of a paved road across Neel's Gap to the south for easier automobile access., (photo legend) , Helen, Ga 13 miles , Yonah Mtn 3,166' , Jack's Knob 3,805' , Cleveland, Ga 20 miles , Walker Mtn 2,585' , Horsetrough Man 4,045' , Wildcat Man 3,760' , Rocky Mtn 4,191' , Tesnatee Gap , Cowrock Man 3,852' , Logan Turnpike , Wolf Laurel Top 3,760' , Frozentop 3,160' , Dahlonega, Ga 25 miles , Skyline of Atlanta 80 miles, USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer,