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

Track Rock Gap

Photographed by David Seibert, July 3, 2010

1. Track Rock Gap Marker

Inscription. One of the best-known of the petroglyph, or marked stone, sites in Georgia. The six table-sized soapstone boulders contain hundreds of symbols carved or pecked into their surface. Archaeologists have speculated dates for the figures from the Archaic Period (8,000 to 1,000 B.C.) to the Cherokee Indians who lived here until the 19th Century. No one knows the exact meaning of the symbols or glyphs which represent animals, birds, tracks and geometric figures. The earliest written account (1834) was by Dr. Matthew Stephenson, who was director of the U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega. One of the favorite stories about Track Rock Gap was recorded by ethnographer James Mooney who gathered Cherokee stories. The Cherokee called this site Datsu’nalasgun’ylu (where there are tracks) and Degayelun’ha (the printed or branded place). Cherokee stories include an explanation that hunters paused in the gap and amused themselves by carving the glyphs; the marks were made in a great hunt when the animals were driven through the gap, and that the tracks were made when the animals were leaving the great canoe after a flood almost destroyed the world and while the earth and rocks were soft.

Erected 1998 by Georgia Department of Natural Resources. (Marker Number 144-1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Communications • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list.

Location. 34° 52.978′ N, 83° 52.638′ W. Marker is in Blairsville, Georgia, in Union County. It is on Track Rock Gap Road 2.2 miles south of Young Harris Highway (U.S. 76), on the right when traveling south. The marker is difficult to see from the roadway. There is a parking area about .05 south of the marker, with a trail leading to the marker and the soapstone boulders. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blairsville GA 30512, 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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Brasstown Bald (approx. 3.8 miles away); Appalachian Trail (approx. 3.8 miles away); Returning Fire to the Mountains (approx. 3.8 miles away); Designated Wilderness (approx. 3.8 miles away); Gold Rush Spurs Cherokee Removal (approx. 3.8 miles away); Logan Turnpike

Photographed by William Henry Myers III, July 30, 2012

2. Track Rock Gap Marker

Appears to be original marker. Now on display at Trackrock Camp ground store.

(approx. 3.8 miles away); The Georgia Lottery Corporation (approx. 3.9 miles away); The First Classes of Young Harris College (approx. 3.9 miles away).

Other markers no longer nearby. Trackrock Gap (was approx. 2 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Brasstown Bald (was approx. 2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. This marker replaced a missing earlier marker of the same title and similar text, erected by the Georgia Historical Commission.

Regarding Track Rock Gap. Track Rock Gap is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Additional keywords. Petroglyphs

Photographed by William Henry Myers III, July 30, 2012

3. Track Rock Gap Marker

Close up of the marker. Some of it is difficult to read. Track Rock Gap The micaceous soapstone rocks bear ancient Indian petroglyphs from which the Gap gets its name. The Cherokees called this place Datsu Nalȃŝ gun yi, (where there are tracks), or Degayeiũnhȃ, (Printed Place). Of the many theories of the origin of the tracks held by the Cherokees, probably the most sensible is that they were made by Indians for their own amusement. Another tradition is that they were made by a great army of birds and animals while the newly created earth’s surface was still soft, to escape pursuing danger from the west – some say a great ‘drive hunt’ of the Indians.

Photographed by William Henry Myers III, July 30, 2012

4. Track Rock Gap Marker

Apparently the markers have changed since the original photos were take. Mine are from 2012 and the markers are different and the trackrocks are not covered.

Photographed by William Henry Myers III, July 30, 2012

5. Track Rock Gap Marker

One of the new signs

Photographed by William Henry Myers III, July 30, 2012

6. Track Rock Gap Marker

Another new sign.

Photographed by David Seibert, July 3, 2010

7. Track Rock Gap Marker

Photographed by David Seibert, July 3, 2010

8. Track Rock Gap Marker

Photographed by David Seibert, July 3, 2010

9. Track Rock Gap Marker

Track Rock Gap Road can be seen in the background.

The Petroglyphs at Track Rock Gap image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, July 3, 2010

10. The Petroglyphs at Track Rock Gap

Photographed by David Seibert, July 3, 2010

11. The Petroglyphs at Track Rock Gap

Photographed by William Henry Myers III, July 30, 2012

12. Track Rock

The biggest track rock

Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,903 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 23, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 1, 2014, by William Henry Myers III of Seneca, South Carolina. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on July 23, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 12. submitted on September 1, 2014, by William Henry Myers III of Seneca, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.