A Historical fact from the Carolina Mountain Club (CMC) newsletter, from a story about Bernard Elias. Long-time CMC members give Arch Nichols credit for saving Max Patch. Max Patch was private land until 1982. One of its owners, Max, grew potatoes and turnips, hence the name, Max Patch. Max also grazed a flock of sheep up there. A developer bought the land and wanted to make it a resort area. That upset many people including Arch Nichols. According to Bernard Elias, since Nichols worked for the Forest Service, he knew the ins and outs of that system. So Nichols convinced the Forest Service to buy the 392 acres for the Appalachian Trail. Roy Taylor, then the local Congressman, got Congress to appropriate the money and CMC built the A.T. trail.
Bilko