1. FALLING
INTO
PLACE
A study of the Fall Line and its impact on South Carolina and Georgia.

2. Map Slide I
What is a Fall Line?

3. A Fall Line marks the area where the upland region
(continental bedrock) and the coastal plain meet.
Along the eastern coast of the United States, the east-facing escarpment, where the Piedmont of the Appalachians descends steeply to the coastal plain forms a fall line over 1500 km long. This long fall line played a major role in settlement patterns along rivers, back into prehistoric times. It is often referred to simply as "the fall line".

4. The Fall Line in Georgia and South Carolina
Map Slide II
The Fall Line in Georgia and South Carolina

5. How does
the
Savannah River
look
as it
crosses
Fall Line?

6. Savannah River Shoals at the Fall Line
A fall line is typically prominent when crossed by a river, for there will often be rapids or waterfalls. The Savannah River becomes rocky and shallow as it crosses the fall line.

7. How do you think the Fall Line affected the ways in which
early Native Americans
lived and traveled?

8. Native American
Settlements in the
Carolinas and Georgia

9. How do you think the Fall Line affected the travels and movement
of early explorers?

10. Hernando de Soto
1540

11. How do you think the Fall Line affected colonial settlement
patterns and trade routes?

12. Where is
the Fall Line
is on this
colonial map
of Georgia
and South
Carolina?

13. The Fall Line
Point out that the colonial roadway follows the path of the fall line.

14. Early Travel on the Savannah River

15. How did the Savannah River and the Fall Line impact Augusta’s
growth and development?

16. Visit the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area Discover where history…
and
Interpretive Center
Discover where history…

17. Falls
Into
Place