Highlands

With a population of less than one thousand in just six square miles, the town of Highlands is more densely populated by forestry and water sources than people. The town’s geography is defined by these water sources; small creeks and streams pervade the landscape, though the two main rivers flowing through the county are more influential. The Cullasja River originates in Highlands and is a tributary running into The Little Tennessee River, which connects Highlands to its neighboring town, Franklin. The Little Tennessee River flows from Lake Sequoyah, a manmade lake fed by Mirror Lake and the surrounding creeks and streams. This river system compliments the waterfalls in the area, including: Bridal Veil Falls, Cullasaja Falls, Glen Falls, Dry Falls, and Quarry Falls.

The town’s history dates back to 1875 when two Kansan developers, according to legend, drew a line on a map from New York to New Orleans and another from Chicago to Savannah. They predicted those routes would become major trade routes and identified the intersection, modern day Highlands, as a great population center. A health and summer resort was built at the highest crest of the plateau, around 4,000 feet above sea level, and attracted visitors for years following. In the 1920s, the Cullasja River was dammed, which created Lake Sequoyah and, consequently, another incentive for people to visit the small mountainous town. The town remained unchanged until the 1970s, at which point multi-family homes and shopping centers sprang up. Before the development altered the town’s landscape drastically, land use plans and zoning laws were put in place to protect Highlands’ natural resources.

 

Highlands Photos

Highlands Features and Reviews

Highlands Shop owners

By: Olivia James On our way back from Franklin, we took all the windy turns through the mountains to Highlands.  Highlands looked nothing like Franklin, especially since the downtown area was right on Highway 64.  We were surprised by theRead more Highlands Shop owners

Coffee, Conversation, and Community

By Rachel Fishman – 2014   There’s something in the aroma of fresh roasted coffee that calms the soul and opens up conversation. Sure, the caffeine helps too. But the atmosphere of coffee shops with the smell percolating through theRead more Coffee, Conversation, and Community

Mountaintop Wine Shoppe

By Alexa Dysch & Rachel Fishman When Highlands’s locals and visitors alike finds themselves wondering, “Where’s my wine destination?” they need not look further than the Mountaintop Wine Shoppe. Whether you plan to grab one of their many, and unique, bottlesRead more Mountaintop Wine Shoppe

Turn a Corner, Discover Bridal Veil Falls

By Rachel Fishman – 2014 When you’re driving along the winding roads of Highway 64, nestled between the lush trees of the mountains, it is easy to expect beauty around every corner. From breathtaking panoramas of treetops so vast thatRead more Turn a Corner, Discover Bridal Veil

Absolutely Gorge-ous: The Cullasaja Gorge

By Christian Kowalski, 2016 When driving to Highlands, our group was caught up in the beauty of the landscape around us. We were all trying to quickly take pictures of the mountains with the changing tree colors when we spottedRead more Absolutely Gorge-ous: The Cullasaja Gorge