Blackjack Mountain (Carroll County, Georgia)

Blackjack Mountain is a scenic landmark, located in the very southwest corner of Carroll County, Georgia on the Georgia-Alabama border and Heard County line. The nearest city is Ephesus, Georgia, 2.2 miles (3.5 km) to the south.

Blackjack Mountain
Blackjack Mountain, viewed from the east
Highest point
Elevation1,545 ft (471 m) NGVD 29[1]
Prominence445 ft (136 m) NGVD 29[1]
ListingCounty high point
Coordinates33°26′12″N 85°15′57″W / 33.4367801°N 85.265781°W / 33.4367801; -85.265781[2]
Geography
Blackjack Mountain is located in Georgia
Blackjack Mountain
Blackjack Mountain
Parent rangeAppalachian Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Graham

While not an impressive mountain, at 1,545 ft (471 m)[1] the summit is the highest point in Georgia south of Interstate 20.[3] Blackjack Mountain is a long north–south trending ridge.[4] The Native Americans used this promontory as a reference point on their east–west trading path and are believed to have used the summit for sacred ceremonies.[5] The mountain was named for its blackjack oak timber.[6]

Conservation edit

In 2003, Carroll County earmarked about $19 million for land conservation, parks and recreation. Blackjack Mountain was a high land conservation priority. In early 2005, the Trust for Public Land (TPL) helped the county protect Blackjack Mountain. The acquisition of Blackjack Mountain will protect a very scenic viewshed and preserve over 312 acres (1.26 km2) of pines and mixed hardwoods, two small lakes, several small tributaries, a federally designated wetland and a valuable wildlife habitat.[5] Blackjack is named for all of the Blackjack oaks that grow on it.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Blackjack Mountain, Georgia". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2011-08-08.
  2. ^ "Blackjack Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2011-08-08.
  3. ^ "Parks in Development". Carroll County. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  4. ^ Lobdell, Fred (2000). "Carroll County High Point Trip Report". County Highpointers. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  5. ^ a b "Blackjack Mountain Protected". The Trust for Public Land. 2005. Archived from the original on 2006-02-16. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  6. ^ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 20. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.