Fort Mountain

Fort Mountain. . The mountain to the west is Fort Mountain (Elevation 2,840’), which is part of the Cohutta Mountain Range. “Cohutta” is an English translation of a Cherokee word. It means “a shed roof supported on poles” and describes how the mountains seem to support the sky from a distance., Other high peaks visible from the overlook include the 3,692’ Grassy Mountain to the north, and the 3,680’ Little Bald Mountain to the northeast. The valley visible to the northwest is the Great Valley. This wide valley, situated between the Armuchee Ridges and the Cohutta Mountains, has historically been an easy route through the mountains for animals and humans., Fort Mountain was named for the stone structure located near the mountaintop that was thought to be a fort, although its exact origin is unknown. The wall is approximately 800 feet long, two to three feet high, and runs the width of the mountain near the peak. The wall is now located in Fort Mountain State Park. Created in 1934, most of the park’s infrastructure was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). President Franklin Delano Roosevelt created the CCC during The Great Depression. Citizens were put to work preserving the natural resources of the United States to combat the country’s economic and social problems., The Fort Mountain area CCC camp was one of the many camps throughout the state. Young men used local stone to construct buildings, pavilions, and many of the steps and trails found throughout the park today., Prater’s Mill, Prater’s Mill is a restored working gristmill located on the Coahulla Creek along State Route 2 in Whitfield County at Varnell. Historically numerous gristmills could be found in the region. Today, Pater’s Mill is one of the few that survives. In addition to the gristmill, the mill complex includes a cotton gin, general store, a granary, and the Prater’s summer home. The buildings have been restored and appear as they would have historically., Cohutta Fishery Center, Located in the northwest corner of Whitfield County, near the City of Co consists of over thirty ponds where researcher can study fish in a monitored environment. The site offers a wealth of activities for visitors including hiking, biking and picnicking., (captions) , Scenic – View at Fort Mountain Overlook , Archaeological – Stone wall at Fort Mountain State Park