U.S. Route 19

For may years I have lived in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. A major artery through the area is US Route 19. One day in Erie, PA we found ourselves at the corner of 26th St. and Peach St., the apparent beginning of Rt 19.

So we started driving south.

First stop, Waterford, PA. home of Ft LeBoeuf and a statue of George Washington, apparently wearing a British uniform.

He was carrying a letter from the Governor of Va. to tell the French at the fort they were on British territory.

We know how that turned out for him at Jumonville Glen and Ft Necessity.



















Other sights along the way, Allegheny Observatory in Riverview Park.

Rt 19 passes through Pittsburgh on the West End Bridge (foreground)

On our way through Washington PA, county seat of Washington County

Rt 19 doesn't actually go past the courthouse. It does pass by Washington & Jefferson Collage. 

It also passes Waynesburg Collage.

Stopped in Jane Lew for lunch at Lightburns Family Diner. The owners are distant relatives of Gen Lightburn of Civil war fame (actually he is not very well known).

Also passes Hawks Nest Workers Memorial and Grave Site.

Road signs along the way.

Stopped at the Falls Mill overlook in (you guessed it) Falls Mill WV.

There is a nice scenic overlook on the left side of the road

Rt. 19 travels over the New River bridge in WVa. When completed in Oct. 1977 it reduced a nerve racking 40 minute drive down narrow mountain roads to a minute. You can still take the old route and bridge but we didn't have time. It takes longer to drive to Beckley on 19 than I-79.

The bridge goes over the New River gorge. If you zoom into the picture you can see rafts floating down the river.

Stopped in Tazewill VA for lunch at the Front Porch restaurant. It was very good and one of the few places we actually found using GPS. Also saw this monument. Yikes! Not many of these left.

Near Bluff City TN Rt 19 splits into a west route and east route. We took 19E through Elizabethton TN. which looked a little more scenic. 19W mostly is on the interstate but there is one section that is up and down twisty turny. So just outside of Burnsville NC we turned back north on 19W. Here is the Google map.

Than back south in I-26 until it rejoins 19 around Mars Hill NC. And on into Ashville NC. Since we had a little extra time we also took a side trip to Mt Mitchell, highest point in NC and east of the Mississippi. 

We had been here some years ago (on the high point tour). Here is a photo of the old tower.

It was redesigned with a handicap ramp but the walk up from the parking lot is still quite steep.

From Mt Mitchell, on a clear day, you can see Clingmans Dome, highest point in TN. It was a clear day but they don't call them the Smokey's for nothing. I believe Clingmans Dome is at the top of this picture.

Then on to Blairsville GA. 

From there 19 goes through the Chattahoochee Nat'l Forest. It is scenic but slow going. Didn't manage to get any good pictures. It is also close to Brasstown Bald, the highest point in GA. I couldn't work out how to be there on a day they were open,  maybe next trip. On to Atlanta.

First stop the Atlanta History Center. As you might guess, it has a heavy Civil War theme. Here are a few pictures.

As part of  its railroads and Atlanta exhibit they have on display "The Texas" of the Great Locomotive Chase fame. 

They have moved the Battle of Atlanta Civil War Cyclorama here. It made an impression when I saw it years ago as a child. It has been completely restored and is quite spectacular. They claim it is 49ft tall and as long as a football field. The pictures don't do it justice. 

The Atlanta History Center is also home of the Goizueta Gardens.

And Swan House.

While in Atlanta we also visited Stone Mountain.

I believe these were vulture's buzzing the mountain.

People have been walking up the mountain for a long time. You can still take the mile long walk to the top (we took the cable car). It looks like it gets quite steep towards the top.

And, of course, Stone Mountain is home to the famous (or infamous) "carving"

Stone Mountain also has a Historic Square with a collection of buildings from GA Antebellum past. Here are a few examples.

Allen House

This would have been the home of a plantation overseer. 

Davis House

This would have been the Manor house on the plantation.

Powell Academy Schoolhouse

On our way through GA we stopped at the National Prisoner of War Museum. 

It is located at the site of the Civil War Andersonville Prison. 

And the still active Andersonville National Cemetery.

Took a short side trip to Plains GA. Boyhood (and current) home of Jimmy Carter.

The old Plains High School is now the Jimmy Carter Center.

Than on into Florida. That's the Sunshine Skyway Bridge over Tampa Bay in the distance.

This would be looking west towards the Gulf of Mexico and Mullet Key in the distance.

Rt 19 travels over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Here is a piece of video.

After the bridge Route 19 ends in Memphis FL and becomes Route 41 into Bradenton. There is no good place to safely pull off and take a "selfie". Here is a short video of the sign.

You can stop at the sign at the north end of Route 19 in Erie, PA. Here is a picture.