*********U.S. 441.... The "ROUTE 66" Of The East****

 On January 17, 1977, the last road sign officially recognizing the historic and famous, U.S Route 66, was taken down, in downtown Chicago, Ill. The end of an era had arrived, but it became the start, of a NEW era. Historic Route 66 is still traveled today, in a nostalgic manner, by those who want to know and remember it, but it is imcomplete now, for the most part, and it's official highway purpose, is long gone. Had the U.S. Highway Dept. looked into the future, for a means to save and preserve it, possibly, this great highway, could have remained a pillar in America's highway system. The misfortune of the lost of Route 66, has placed a different outlook, in preserving the other historic U.S highways from that era. More concern in bypassing businesses, and communities, when building four laned highways and interstates, is certainly shown, in today's highway construction.. more than was shown 40 years ago.. thus, loosing the importance of Route 66. In the Southeast, one such historic highway, has become a trend, in the preservation of the old road system. This highway is U.S. 441. It's begining, or end, depending on the direction of movement, is in south FLORIDA. This adventure, will take us NORTH, from Florida, and through some of the most beautiful and historic sites, in the southeast. Our adventure will end, for this particular discussed stretch, of this historic highway, in Pidgon Forge, Tennessee, a mere 12 hour drive, if the minimum stops are made. However, to make the minimum stops, and drive straight through, would be a sin, to miss some of the history of the southeast, as well as it's beauty. From flatlands to mountains, there is plenty to see, on historic U.S 441. I personally, began traveling from Florida, to North Carolina, and the Great Smokey Mountains, on THIS route, over 20 years ago, on U.S. 441. MOST people traveling north, from Florida, take Interstate 75, through Georgia, towards Atlanta, and beyond, before they start their desent toward the northeast, to the Smokies. My parents did, back in the late sixties and early seventies, to save time, but times have changed. If you are in a hurry, or a race, then this is the PERFECT route for you. Especially, if you are qualifying for the pole position, or want to be FIRST, to stop in Atlanta traffic. One fender bender, or crash, and YOU are the winner. If traveling in a group, such as vacationing, RVing, or with an antique car club, I-75, is NO place to be. Of course, you may not want to miss out on the roar, and diesel smoke, from the trucks, or the same 500 green signs you look at, for 8-9 hours. U.S. 441 made me forget all that, many years ago. I have seen the progress of the bypasses on U.S. 441 over the years, very well planned, not to eliminate those historic sites and towns, from the rest of the world, closing the time difference of traveling the interstate, to just a mere hour or so. Yet HERITAGE 441, as it is known through out Georgia, it a MUCH more relaxing, calm, and nonstressfull trip. Most of this part of Georgia, is 4-laned, with 60-65 mph speed limits. Run 75 mph on I-75, and you will get run over. I personally, cannot see torturing a prized antique car, to do that.

                       ******The Historic Desoto Trail******

Because my family and I, reside in central Florida, we shall start our adventure, at Wildwood, Florida, where I-75 and the Florida Turnpike merge. Anyone who follows a road map, can obviously see, that I-75, from Tampa traveling north, heads in a NORTHEASTERNLY direction. Of course, to cover Ocala, which is way inward, from the west coast, of Florida. At that point, it turns to the NORTHWEST, and of course, a beeline, for Atlanta, Ga. By the time you get there, you would be in the Gulf of Mexico, if it went that far north, based on looking at a map, and a straight line from Atlanta, south. Now, we WILL travel I-75 north, from Wildwood, because U.S. 441 was also built, through Ocala, as well as Gainesville. Too much time would be lost getting started, that way, BUT.. the first escape exit, from the concrete prison of I-75, is at U.S 27 north, at Ocala, a mere 20 minutes north of Wildwood. We exit there, and travel northwest, to Williston, 21 miles of rolling hills, horse country, and farms. This beautiful stretch of 4-laned highway, brings us rapidly, to Williston, and in just a minute, at the proper speed, we are through with Williston, as we will turn right, going north, on U.S 41, the Historic Desoto Trail. This takes us to High Springs, where we merge on to U.S. 441, north of congested Gainesville and Ocala. A wonderful 2-laned stretch of highway, to Lake City, 20 minutes away, is where we cross under I-75, and in another 15 minutes, we are through the downtown historic district, and quickly, north of Interstate 10. Now, we are headed to the Fla.-Ga. stateline. Actually, the time distance, from the state line, on U.S 441, back to Tampa, is the SAME, as traveling down I-75, from the state line THERE, if you travel the speed limit. Look at a map, and you will see why.

                      ******Georgia's Heritage 441********

 Upon crossing into Georgia, on U.S 441, we are now headed to Fargo, 35 miles north of Lake City, Fla., on the now named HERITAGE 441. At Fargo, you will find the way to Stephen Foster Memorial Park. However, you must travel 17 miles FROM U.S. 441, down a dead end road, to enter the park, which is in the Okefanoke Swamp. The famous Suwanee River, starts in this swamp, and you will cross it, on Heritage U.S. 441, just south of Fargo. Then, it is on through Homerville, Pearson, and into Douglas. It is 5 hours, from our starting point, to Douglas, and when we depart in the late afternoon, we usually call it a day, in Douglas. Or, a coffee break, midmorning, if we made a pre-dawn departure. Back on the road, from Douglas, we head to Jacksonville (Ga.), Broxton, McRae, Irwinton, and Dublin. North of Dublin, the 2-laned Heritage 441, becomes 4-laned, for most of the rest of the way, to the Smokies. Millegeville, Eatonton, Bishop, go by, and then comes one of the prettiest towns on the trip... Madison, Ga. But, you must leave the bypass, and take the historic business 441 route, to see it. Whether it is a pre-dawn beginning, or an overnight stop, it is usually lunch time in Madison, along with a little antique shopping. On the road again, we get to Athens. This is where we leave Hertitage 441, if we are headed to Dawsonville, and this becomes our final hour of the trip. We go north, on U.S 129, as it takes us through Gainesville, and switch to Georgia Highway 60, on to Dalonegha, and, or Dawsonville. If the smokies is still your destination, then it is off the Athens bypass, back on to U.S. 441. Through Commerce, Demorest, Corneila, and Clarksville, another beautiful town. Soon enough, you will come to Tallulah Falls, with Tallulah Gorge. The bypass goes around the gorge now, but it is just a minor delay, to take Historic 441, see it, and continue. It is worth it. Once we leave Tallulah Falls, you can begin to see the mountains in the horizon, and you are officially in, North Georgia. Just pass the Tallulah River bridge, there is a turn off to the left, then a quick right. This is truely, historic old U.S. 441. This will take you to Clayton, the next town, only about 15 minutes longer, than the bypass. This detour is VINTAGE Thunder Road material here. You almost expect Robert Mitchum, "Lucas Doolen".. to be around the next curve, in that '57 FAIRLANE, on this narrow, yet safe if careful, mountain road. All these towns north of Dublin, have a historic 441 business routes, through the town, including Clayton. Just north of Clayton, is where the bypass is not completed, yet, and our trip takes us on through Mountain City, and Dillard. If meal time awaits you, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, then the DILLARD HOUSE is a must. Breakfast was my favorite growing up with my parents, taking this trip. Dillard is right on the state line, and upon crossing into North Carolina, our first town is Otto. Then, into Franklin, where the bypass begins again. U.S. 441 merges with U.S. 64 at Franklin, bypassing the historic downtown, which we never do. Passing through Franklin, we continue north, on U.S. 441, on to Dillsboro and Sylva, and then, to Cherokee. There, U.S. 441 will merge with U.S 19, which has come from the south, from Bryson City, and headed north, to Maggie Valley. Between Bryson City, and Cherokee, is where you will find the historic and famous, yet abandoned, Warrior Motel. This was THE place to stay, in the 1960's, when traveling through the Smokies. The Indian tribes and their culture has not changed, in Cherokee, but the atmosphere has, with the HARRAH'S Casino. Upon Leaving Cherokee, it is a 45 minute, scenic, and beautiful trip, over the mountain, to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Fifteen miles up the mountain, to the NC-TN state line, and New Foundland Gap. This is where you can find Clingman's Dome, a famous overlook of many miles away, on a clear day. Down the mountain 15 miles, and through 3 tunnels, takes you into Gatlinburg, a historic ski resort town, with lots of shopping. From there, it is a mere 5 miles.. just 5 minutes, to Pidgon Forge, Tennessee. It is a 13 hour trip from central Florida, to Pidgon Forge, if you take your time, stopping on a whelm at most anything. So relax, and do your family a favor, and let everyone enjoy the trip. Some people boast about 11-12 hours they made it in, from Florida... a whole HOUR they saved, IF they were lucky, when going through Atlanta, missing any delays, yet.. they have no idea, what they REALLY missed... 

Look in the center of this picture, and you can see U.S. 441 across the mountain. We hope you take a trip up U.S. 441. You just might see something, we didn't.