Georgia State Route 197 Explained

State:GA
Type:SR
Route:197
Map Custom:yes
Map Notes:Georgia State Route 197 highlighted in red
Length Mi:29.0
Length Round:1
Direction A:South
Direction B:North
Terminus A: east of Demorest
Junction: in Clarkesville
Terminus B: 12 miles west of Clayton
Counties:Habersham, Rabun
Previous Type:SR
Previous Route:196
Next Type:SR
Next Route:198

State Route 197 (SR 197) is a 29adj=midNaNadj=mid state highway. It passes through portions of Habersham and Rabun counties and the Chattahoochee National Forest. Scenic Georgia Highway 197 was used by moonshiners during Prohibition in the United States.[1]

Route description

SR 197 begins east of Demorest, at an intersection with US 23/US 441/SR 15/SR 365 in Habersham County. It heads north and curves to the northwest until it enters Clarkesville. At East Louise Drive, it intersects US 441 Business, as well as SR 17 and SR 385. The three highways begin a concurrency into the northern part of town. One block later, they intersect SR 197 Connector (West Louise Drive). In the northern part of town, the three routes meet Monroe Avenue, where SR 17, as well as SR 115, departs to the southwest. SR 197/SR 385 continue to the northwest until they meet Grant Street, where SR 385, as well as SR 17 Alternate, departs to the northeast. Just after leaving town, SR 197 curves to the north, before curving back to the northwest and entering Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. The route continues its northwestern orientation until just before it enters Batesville. In Batesville, SR 197 intersects SR 255. Just to the northeast, it reaches SR 356. Then, the highway begins its climb into higher mountains and enters Rabun County. Sites along the route include Moccasin Creek State Park, the Lake Burton Fish Hatchery, and Lake Burton. As the highway climbs to its northern terminus, an intersection with US 76/SR 2 in the middle of the Chattahoochee National Forest north of the park, the road becomes very twisty.

SR 197 is not part of the National Highway System, a system of roadways important to the nation's economy, defense, and mobility.[2]

Related route

State:GA
Type:SR-Conn
Route:197
Location:Clarkesville
Length Mi:0.058

State Route 197 Connector (SR 197 Conn.) is an unsigned route that exists entirely within the southern part of Clarkesville.

It begins at an intersection with US 441 Business/SR 385 (West Louise Drive). It heads north-northeast for about 300feet and meets its northern terminus, an intersection with SR 17/SR 197 (Washington Street). It is known as E Louise Street for its entire length.

SR 197 Connector is not part of the National Highway System, a system of roadways important to the nation's economy, defense, and mobility.[2]

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=218395 Celebrating Ga.'s 'Thunder Road' past
  2. Web site: National Highway System: Georgia. PDF. United States Department of Transportation. May 8, 2009. June 19, 2013.