nacoochee

I now write from the most charming valley of this southern wilderness. The . . . Chattahoochee is a remarkably clear, cold, and picturesque stream. From the moment it doffs the title of brook and receives the more glorified one of river, it begins to wind itself in a most wayward manner through a valley, which is some eight or ten miles long, when it wanders from the vision of the ordinary traveler and loses itself among the unexplored hills. The valley is perhaps a mile wide, and, as the surrounding hills are not lofty, it is distinguished more for its beauty than for any other quality. This characteristic is greatly enhanced by the fact that while the surrounding country remains in its original wilderness, the valley itself is highly cultivated, and the eye is occasionally gratified by cottage scenes, which suggest the ideas of contentment and peace.

Charles Lanman, Valley of Nacoochee, Georgia, April 1848