Currahee, "Ol' Currahee" as we know it, is famous world wide and has stood for centuries as a beacon to the families that lived within its shadow. The phrase, "I wish I could see Ol' Currahee", has been repeated many times, I am sure, by those that have traveled to distant places in the world. I do know that I have uttered the phrase. Always on our return it would be standing in the distance to beckon us home. It has been accepted over the years that Currahee means "Stands Alone" or "Alone on the Plain" and was named by the Indian tribes that lived around it.

In 1796, a treaty of peace and friendship between the President of the United States of America and Kings, Chiefs and Warriors of the Creek Nation of Indians, a boundary line was established from the Currahee mountain to the head or source of the main south branch and down the middle of the Oconee river, known by white people as Appalatchee and by Indians as Tulapocka. *Source: Indian Affairs: Laws and Treaties. Vol. II (Treaties). Compiled and edited by Charles J. Kappler. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1904.

In 1942 the 506th Parachute Infantry received their training at the foot of Currahee and began each day by running 3 miles up the mountain and 3 miles back down. The regimental patch that they wore had the word Currahee and an outline of the mountain on it. There battle cry was "Currahee". Boys who became Men and Brothers in war, as a result of their training in this unit, were from all walks of life and all parts of the United States.

In the 1930's the WPA (Works Progress Administration) constructed a road to within a short distance of the mountains summit. A parking lot was constructed at this point. The WPA then constructed a metal fire lookout tower on the summit and rock steps from parking lot to base of tower. They also constructed a house for the ranger and his family to live in back down the mountain. Seaborn  Farmer was the first ranger to man the tower and live in ranger house. In 1942 the 506th PIR would run three miles up the mountain, then up the rock steps, circle the tower then three miles back down mountain to Camp Toccoa at base of mountain. The lookout tower has been taken down and summit adorned with numerous other communication towers. The ranger house and rock steps still remain and are a reminder to us of  the past history of "Ol' Currahee".

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