Pigeon Mountain (Georgia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pigeon Mountain |
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Pigeon Mountain, viewed from Georgia State Route 193
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,330 ft (710 m) |
| Geography | |
 Pigeon Mountain
Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
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| Location | Walker County, Georgia, U.S. |
| Parent range | Cumberland Plateau |
| Topo map | USGS LaFayette |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
Pigeon Mountain is a cool place in Walker County, Georgia. It's a mountain peak that reaches about 2,330 feet high. You can find some amazing caves there, like Ellison's Cave and Petty John's Cave. Most of Pigeon Mountain is part of a special area called the Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area.
Contents
Why is it Called Pigeon Mountain?
Have you ever wondered how Pigeon Mountain got its name? There are two main ideas! One is that the mountain's shape looks a bit like a pigeon. The other idea is that early settlers saw many pigeons flying around or resting there.
Exploring Pigeon Mountain's Geography
Pigeon Mountain is located in the state of Georgia, west of a town called LaFayette. It's part of a larger area known as the Cumberland Plateau.
How Big is Pigeon Mountain?
The highest point of Pigeon Mountain is about 2,330 feet tall. The mountain stretches for about 10 miles. It runs from the northwest to the southwest.
Mountains and Valleys
Pigeon Mountain connects with another mountain called Lookout Mountain at its southwestern end. Together, they form a V-shape. In between these two mountains, there's a valley known as the McLemore Cove.
Water Flow and Special Areas
The western side of Pigeon Mountain is crossed by the Tennessee Valley Divide. This is a line that separates where water flows. Water on one side goes to the Tennessee River, and on the other, it goes elsewhere. Most of Pigeon Mountain is part of the Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources takes care of this area.
Caves on the Mountain
Pigeon Mountain is famous for its caves! Two well-known caves you can find there are Ellison's Cave and Petty John's Cave.
A Look at Pigeon Mountain's History
Pigeon Mountain has an interesting past, including a battle and changes over time.
The Battle of Davis's Cross Roads
Part of a battle called the Battle of Davis's Cross Roads happened near Pigeon Mountain. This battle took place on September 10 and 11 in 1863. During this time, Union soldiers wanted to cross Pigeon Mountain. Their goal was to capture LaFayette. However, they learned that Confederate soldiers were gathering nearby. So, the Union troops decided to go back to Davis’ Cross Roads instead.
Life on the Mountain and Its Changes
In the 1920s and 1930s, about 30 families lived on Pigeon Mountain. But they had to leave the mountain in the 1930s. This happened because the water table went down. The water table is the level underground where the ground is full of water. When it dropped, it became harder to live there.
Creating the Wildlife Management Area
In 1969, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources started managing the mountain. This area later became the Crockford–Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area. It was named after Jack Crockford. He was the director of the Georgia Game and Fish Division in the 1970s. He helped bring back the white-tailed deer population in Georgia.
