Near Blairsville in Towns County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Brasstown Bald

The Highest Point in Georgia ~ 4,784 ft.

Photographed by David Seibert, July 3, 2010

1. Brasstown Bald Marker

Inscription. The name is derived from the Cherokee word ltse’yi (New Green Place) or (Place of Fresh Green, from ltse’hi (green or unripe vegetation), and yi, the locative. It occurs in several places in the old Cherokee country, variously spelled Echia, Echoee, Etchowee, and sometimes “Brasstown,” from a confusion of ltse’yi with Untsaiyi (brass). One settlement known to the whites as Brasstown was on upper Brasstown Creek of Hiwassee River directly NW of this point. The area near the Spring to the SW was once an Indian camping ground.

Erected 1958 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 139-5.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Landmarks • Natural Features • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list.

Location. 34° 52.45′ N, 83° 48.69′ W. Marker is near Blairsville, Georgia, in Towns County. It can be reached from Georgia Route 180 Spur half a mile north of Brasstown Bald Vistor's Center Parking Log. The marker is at the end of the walking trail leading from the parking lot to the Visitor's Center at the summit of Brasstown Bald. This

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trail is also known as the Old Wagon Trail. A van also takes visitors to and from the summit for a fee. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hiawassee GA 30546, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Mountains. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Appalachian Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Returning Fire to the Mountains (within shouting distance of this marker); Designated Wilderness (within shouting distance of this marker); Gold Rush Spurs Cherokee Removal (within shouting distance of this marker); Logan Turnpike (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Track Rock Gap (approx. 3.8 miles away); The Georgia Lottery Corporation (approx. 4.7 miles away); The First Classes of Young Harris College (approx. 4.7 miles away).

Other markers no longer nearby. Trackrock Gap (was approx. 4.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named Brasstown Bald (was approx. 4.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, July 20, 2023

2. Brasstown Bald Marker

Photographed by David Seibert, July 3, 2010

3. Brasstown Bald Marker

The Visitors' Center and Observation Tower, at the summit of the mountain, is visible.

Photographed by David Seibert, July 3, 2010

4. Brasstown Bald Marker

Looking at the marker and the walking (Old Wagon Train) trail from the summit.

Brasstown Bald Observation Tower / Visitors' Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, July 3, 2010

5. Brasstown Bald Observation Tower / Visitors' Center

The Visitors' Center is 1/2 mile from the parking lot, reached only by the trail or van service.

Brasstown Bald image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, July 3, 2010

6. Brasstown Bald

The view from the parking lot at the end of GA 180 Spur.

The Appalachian Mountains from Brasstown Bald image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, July 3, 2010

7. The Appalachian Mountains from Brasstown Bald

Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,991 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on July 6, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1. submitted on July 5, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on July 27, 2023, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 5, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.