A new blog category: GeoGlitches
In days of old
When surveyors were bold
And GPSs weren't invented,
They bushwhacked through the wilderness
And sometimes soon relented.
(Modification of a risque limerick of old).
On a map of the NC/GA state line there's a bit of a bump at Clay County, NC and Towns County, GA, above Hiawassee - about 661 yards-worth, N to S. Look closely. This glitch goes back to partial surveys begun in 1737 and 1764. In 1796, completion of the line was ordered. GA hired Montgomery; NC engaged Ellicott, whose line extended 30 miles west from the Chattooga River. Montgomery's began from the old Cherokee town of Nickajack. They ultimately did not meet, were simply connected by a perpendicular, and the survey wasn't soon repeated owing to the time and effort required. This state line abberation became downright cause for war over the questionable right angle pair.
"In 1803, Georgia disputed the boundary and went so far as to create a county within the disputed area known as Walton County. This dispute led to battles, riots, killings, and imprisonments. In an effort to settle the matter in 1807, the U.S. conducted yet another survey, completing it in 1808, but Georgia refused to accept it" - from an article in Georgia Backroads, Winter 2004, written by Michael E. Maffett, M.D.
In this excellent research piece, Dr. Maffett includes a description of his own arduous attempts to reach the markers with hopes that they could, indeed, be located. He bushwhacked the woods west of the A.T. from Bly Gap and north of Hightower Bald (4th highest peak in GA) without success, although he went in much better equipped, GPS and all, than Ellicott and Montgomery. Maffett marvels at the abilities of pioneer surveyors despite simpler orientation tools and lack of existing road/trail access.
Copy/paste into your browser and refer to LOGGY BRANCH AND HIGHTOWER ROAD:
http://www.sherpaguides.com/georgia/mountains/blue_ridge/eastern/
hightower_area_southern_nantahala_wilderness.html#SCATAWAY
Dr. Maffett's resources included Marion R. Hempley's Georgia's Boundaries, The Making of a State (1993), internet accounts of Walton's War, and his personal Southern History library. The GB article (or the Winter '04 issue), can be ordered from Editor Dan Roper at georgiabackroads@comcast.net. Or contact the Trekster here for more info. The GB article is not available as a download.
If you should trek
In to the woods
To seek out these two markers,
Please let us know what you did find
And we'll post it under "Yikers!"
Get started here: http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=34.98985&lon=-83.6202&s=48&u=6&datum=nad27&layer=DRG
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