Varnell in Whitfield County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Old Federal Road

Photographed by David Seibert, July 14, 2011

1. Old Federal Road Marker

Inscription. The highway crossing east and west at this point is the Old Federal Road, northwest Georgia’s earliest vehicular route. It led across the Indian County from the southeast boundary of the Cherokees, in the direction of Athens, toward Nashville via Rossville. Another branch ran from a fork at Ramhurst, Ga., toward Knoxville, Tenn. Formal permission to use the trace was granted by the Cherokees in the 1805 Treaty of Tellico. This way was the first postal route of this section of Georgia and was the earliest emigrant trace from the lower Southeast to Tennessee and north Alabama.

Erected 2001 by Georgia Department of Natural Resources. (Marker Number 155-29B.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1805.

Location. 34° 53.589′ N, 84° 56.797′ W. Marker is in Varnell, Georgia, in Whitfield County. It is at the intersection of Cleveland Highway (Georgia Route 71) and Old Prater Mill Road (Old Route 2), on the right when traveling north on Cleveland Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Varnell GA 30756, 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

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are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Prater’s Mill Store (approx. 1½ miles away); Prater’s Mill and The Civil War (approx. 1½ miles away); Prater's Mill (approx. 1½ miles away); Water Turbine (approx. 1½ miles away); Dr. Lacewell’s Office (approx. 1½ miles away); a different marker also named Prater’s Mill (approx. 1½ miles away); Cotton Gin (approx. 1.6 miles away); Historic Varnell Home (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Varnell.

More about this marker. This marker replaced an earlier marker of the same title and text, erected by the Georgia Historical Commission at this location, which had disappeared.

Regarding Old Federal Road. This intersection was formerly Georgia Highway 2, which follows the Old Federal Road, until that highway was rerouted a short distance to the north.

Photographed by David Seibert, July 14, 2011

2. Old Federal Road Marker

Photographed by David Seibert, July 14, 2011

3. Old Federal Road Marker

Looking north on Cleveland Highway (left) at the new intersection with GA Highway 2, now 1/10 mile north of the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 995 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 17, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.