Previous opinions, principally those of Charles S. Sargent in 1886 and P.A. Davies in 1956, are reviewed concerning the type location and the date of collection by Andre Michaux of the type specimen of Shortia galacifolia T.&G. A 1976 rendering of Michaux’s journal by Margaret Mills Seaborn permits a new interpretation for both the type location and the date of collection for the Shortia type specimen. Phenological observations prove the type specimen was collected in June, 1787 during Michaux’s first journey to Oconee County, SC, when he continued on into Jackson and Macon Counties, NC, and Rabun County, GA. A detailed study of journal entries strongly indicates that Michaux’s party traveled through the heart of the natural range of Shortia on June 13. He was out of the natural range on June 12 and on June 14. Further interpretation resolves that the type location lies within a six-mile stretch along the west bank of the upper Keowee River above present Jocassee Dam and along the northeast bank of the Whitewater River in Jocassee Valley, Oconee County, SC.