Old Appalachian Building, Union County, GA

Ross Lane, photographer facing NW

A couple of months ago while driving west from Brasstown Creek towards Blairsville, GA on Hwy 76, this old weathered gray-sided building to the north caught my eye. It is located on the corner of Ross Lane and Old Smokey Road, just northeast of Blairsville.

This stretch of Hwy 76 connects Blairsville to Young Harris and Hiawassee, GA. The highway winds its way alongside Butternut Creek, just to the south of Ivylog Mountain, a range that includes from west to east, Anderson Knob, Atkins Knob, Stephens Ridge, Juber Knob, Lynn Knob, and Chestnut Flats, before finally ending with the Hullander Knobs at the Towns County line.

The structure is located between two landscape features that also bear the Ross name; Ross Gap on Ivylog Mountain between Juber Knob and Stephens Ridge, and Ross Ridge which is located on the south side of Hwy 76. It's apparent that the Ross family was one of the earliest and successful settlers of Union County.  I found a James B. Ross listed in the 1840 census.

I am unsure of the original function of this structure. It includes three doorways; one on the south side, and two to the north. There is also a larger opening on the eastern side of the home, almost like a small garage door. Was this a business or shop of some kind, or a residence? 

Two-story Farmhouse, Dawson County, GA

Hwy 183, photographer facing NW

This gem is hidden behind vegetation that prevents travelers on Hwy 183 from seeing all but the roof of the house. Near an unincorporated area known locally as Emma, it sits about 200 yards off the highway at the end of an old gravel drive that is blocked by a metal gate. Judging by the size of the trees growing right next to the house, it has apparently been a long time since anyone has called it home.

Clear view of rock foundation, photographer facing NE

Great examples of a stacked-rock foundation, along with the chimney which begins as field stone with the upper third being brick. I imagine that the original top of the chimney had to be replaced, thus the brick.A smaller chimney protrudes through the roof of what is probably the kitchen area.

2/3 field stone chimney, photographer facing north

Wrap-around porch, photographer facing SE

There is also a neat wrap-around porch that runs from the north to the west side of the house. I'd love to be able to hear the conversations that occurred there on hot summer evenings.

Located near the higher elevations of the county, a few miles from Amicalola Falls State Park, the landscape probably has not changed much in the past 100 years. It is mostly covered with wooded tracts interspersed with an open hay field or pasture here and there. It's still a world away from the hustle and bustle of the GA 400 corridor that is located in the southeastern part of the county.