Mount Oglethorpe
Encyclopedia
Mount Oglethorpe, the southernmost peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains
, is located in Pickens County, Georgia
and was the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail
from when the trail was completed in 1937 until 1958. In 1958, as a result of over development around Mount Oglethorpe, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail was moved about 20 miles (32.2 km) to the northeast to Springer Mountain
. Mount Oglethorpe is considered by some to be a more dramatic mountain than Springer Mountain, but the construction of a gravel logging road on the mountain and the development of a number of pungent chicken farms along the route, contributed to the move.
Until 1930, Mount Oglethorpe was called Grassy Knob, but the peak was renamed Mount Oglethorpe in honor of James Oglethorpe
, the founder of Georgia. The elevation of Mount Oglethorpe is 3288 feet (1,002.2 m), making it the highest point in Pickens County. The summit of the mountain is currently on private property, and it is only accessible with permission from the owner.
There is an old Civilian Conservation Corps
building near the peak, as well as the stone build-up where the Oglethorpe monument used to be (it's been moved to downtown Jasper, Georgia
).
Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. This province consists of northern and southern physiographic regions, which divide near the Roanoke River gap. The mountain range is located in the eastern United States, starting at its southern-most...
, is located in Pickens County, Georgia
Pickens County, Georgia
Pickens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The 2000 Census showed a population of 22,983. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 30,488...
and was the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the AT, is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It is approximately long...
from when the trail was completed in 1937 until 1958. In 1958, as a result of over development around Mount Oglethorpe, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail was moved about 20 miles (32.2 km) to the northeast to Springer Mountain
Springer Mountain
Springer Mountain is located in the Chattahoochee National Forest in Fannin County of northern Georgia. It is now the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.-Geography:The mountain's peak is at above mean sea level.-Appalachian Trail:...
. Mount Oglethorpe is considered by some to be a more dramatic mountain than Springer Mountain, but the construction of a gravel logging road on the mountain and the development of a number of pungent chicken farms along the route, contributed to the move.
Until 1930, Mount Oglethorpe was called Grassy Knob, but the peak was renamed Mount Oglethorpe in honor of James Oglethorpe
James Oglethorpe
James Edward Oglethorpe was a British general, member of Parliament, philanthropist, and founder of the colony of Georgia...
, the founder of Georgia. The elevation of Mount Oglethorpe is 3288 feet (1,002.2 m), making it the highest point in Pickens County. The summit of the mountain is currently on private property, and it is only accessible with permission from the owner.
There is an old Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
building near the peak, as well as the stone build-up where the Oglethorpe monument used to be (it's been moved to downtown Jasper, Georgia
Jasper, Georgia
Jasper is a city in Pickens County, Georgia, United States. The population was 3,684 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Pickens County...
).