Near Topton in Macon County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

William Bartram

Photographed by Harry Gatzke, July 15, 2012

1. William Bartram Marker

Inscription. Philadelphia naturalist, author, exploring this area, met a Cherokee band led by their chief, Atakullakulla, in May 1776, near this spot.

Erected 1976 by Division of Archives and History. (Marker Number Q-44.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History, and the William Bartram Trails series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1776.

Location. 35° 16.677′ N, 83° 40.855′ W. Marker is near Topton, North Carolina, in Macon County. It is on U.S. 74, on the right when traveling east. The marker is at the east end of the Pattons Run Overlook parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Topton NC 28781, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s and he Mountains in the Golden Corner. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

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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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A Glimpse Into Nantahala's Past (approx. 0.3 miles away); Nantahala Town (approx. 2.3 miles away); Nantahala Community and Lake (approx. 6.1 miles away); Civil War in Graham County (approx. 7.7 miles away); Junaluska (approx. 7.8 miles away); Junaluska and The Battle of Horseshoe Bend (approx. 7.8 miles away); a different marker also named Junaluska (approx. 7.8 miles away); 1819 Treaty with the United States (approx. 7.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Topton.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 6, 2021

2. William Bartram Marker

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 6, 2021

3. William Bartram Marker

Pattons Run Overlook beside U.S. 74 in the Nantahalla National Forest image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Harry Gatzke, July 15, 2012

4. Pattons Run Overlook beside U.S. 74 in the Nantahalla National Forest

Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2012, by Harry Gatzke of Huntsville, Alabama. This page has been viewed 963 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 22, 2012, by Harry Gatzke of Huntsville, Alabama. 2, 3. submitted on January 17, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 4. submitted on July 22, 2012, by Harry Gatzke of Huntsville, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.