Marshall Forest
Encyclopedia
Marshall Forest is located in Floyd County
, in Georgia
, 5 miles (8 km) outside the Rome city limits. It is one of the few remaining old-growth forests in Northwest Georgia. Marshall Forest is referred to as the only virgin forest within city limits of any city in the USA. The forest is 311 acres (1.3 km²). Trees in Marshall Forest range from six hundred to nine hundred feet in elevation. More than 300 species of plants, specifically fifty-five different tree species live here, among them there are several non-threatening animals in the forest.
Nation, the three hundred and 11 acres (44,515.5 m²) were bought by the Marshall family in 1880. The land was pasted down the Marshall family until it reached Maclean Marshall, naturalist and philanthropist, who had the land dedicated as a Natural National Landmark on October 12, 1966. Marshall Forest was the first Natural National Landmark in the state of Georgia. In 1976, 100 acres (404,686 m²) of forest and 120 acres (485,623.2 m²) of fields were given to the Nature Conservancy.
In 1985, 70 acres (283,280.2 m²) were added to the forest on the Mt. Alto side. These parts were not part of the original purchase by the Marshall family. Now only seventy-five to one hundred of the original forest remains uncut.
Several non-threatening animals call the forest home. Some of these include frogs, salamanders, and snakes. There are at least six different species of snakes in the forest. Dozens of different kinds of birds also live in among them.
Floyd County
Floyd County is the name of six counties in the United States:* Floyd County, Georgia* Floyd County, Indiana* Floyd County, Iowa* Floyd County, Kentucky* Floyd County, Texas* Floyd County, Virginia...
, in Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, 5 miles (8 km) outside the Rome city limits. It is one of the few remaining old-growth forests in Northwest Georgia. Marshall Forest is referred to as the only virgin forest within city limits of any city in the USA. The forest is 311 acres (1.3 km²). Trees in Marshall Forest range from six hundred to nine hundred feet in elevation. More than 300 species of plants, specifically fifty-five different tree species live here, among them there are several non-threatening animals in the forest.
History
Once a part of the CherokeeCherokee
The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States . Linguistically, they are part of the Iroquoian language family...
Nation, the three hundred and 11 acres (44,515.5 m²) were bought by the Marshall family in 1880. The land was pasted down the Marshall family until it reached Maclean Marshall, naturalist and philanthropist, who had the land dedicated as a Natural National Landmark on October 12, 1966. Marshall Forest was the first Natural National Landmark in the state of Georgia. In 1976, 100 acres (404,686 m²) of forest and 120 acres (485,623.2 m²) of fields were given to the Nature Conservancy.
In 1985, 70 acres (283,280.2 m²) were added to the forest on the Mt. Alto side. These parts were not part of the original purchase by the Marshall family. Now only seventy-five to one hundred of the original forest remains uncut.
Forest life
Marshall Forest supports more than three hundred different species of plants. Among them is the endangered large-flowered skullcap. The forest houses the largest population of these flowers in the state of Georgia and the second largest population in the United States. Several different kinds of mushrooms also grow in the forest. There are also fifty-five different trees species, such as pine-oak, chestnut oak, and mixed hardwoods.Several non-threatening animals call the forest home. Some of these include frogs, salamanders, and snakes. There are at least six different species of snakes in the forest. Dozens of different kinds of birds also live in among them.