Community Spotlight: Blairsville, GA

Where your adventure awaits

Blairsville Georgia has the energy of contemporary life combined with traditions of the history of the Appalachian Mountains. Every year people travel to visit this quaint little town to participate in it’s festivals, music, eat great food, shop and enjoy many outdoor recreational activities year round.

Blairsville was incorporated in 1835 & named for Frank (Francis Preston) “Blair”, who was a Washington, D.C. newspaper editor. The Courthouse located in the center of a traffic circle is Listed on the National Register of Historical Places, built in 1899. Although the original clock tower has been removed it is still visible on display with a Museum open to the public. The Union County Historical Society has preserved local History memorabilia including Military, School, Music, & Genealogy from the area. Visitors enjoy hearing the nightly bell music from the tower and Friday Night Concerts of local bands and Gospel singings May – October.

Growth was slow in the early days even though Union County shared a small extent of the Gold Rush. Roads and bridges opened the area in 1840, when a toll road (Union Turnpike) was built across Tesnatee Gap to connect Blairsville with Gainesville, Georgia. In 1841 Major Francis Logan bought he rights to run the toll road and built a home, a lodge, and the tollgate. In 1871 he purchased additional land in Union County and it became known as the Logan Turnpike and was operated by his family until work was completed across Neel’s Gap in 1922.

History still abounds in downtown Blairsville as visitor’s can see the Mountain Life Museum, which replicates life in the early days. The Mock House circa 1906 and Payne Cabin, Barn and Corn-crib is restored for visitors to see early life of settlers. Other historical sites include The Reece Farm & Heritage Center, homestead of the famous poet Byron Herbert Reece. Continuing South on Hwy. 129 is the Walasi Yi Center; Cherokee for “Frog Town” located at the top of Blood Mountain and is the only place where the 2,175-mile-long Appalachian Trail passes through a man-made stone structure, built in 1937. Visitors will relish the ever-changing panorama of this breathtaking scenery.

Recreational areas draw thousands of visitors each year to enjoy golf, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, as well as fishing and watersports. Lake Nottely Reservoir, a 4,180-acre lake serves a number of purposes other than recreation, including flood damage reduction and hydroelectric power generation. The TVA 184 ft. dam stretches 2,300 ft. across the Nottely River and has a flood storage capacity of 100,000 acre-feet. The reservoir features a beach, camping area and is a popular place for viewing wildlife. Many Watersports outlets provide fishing supplies seasonal boating & jet ski rentals to help you enjoy this beautiful scenic mountain paradise.

The Chattahoochee National Forest in Union County covers more than 98,000 acres. Adventurers can explore eight wonderful waterfalls, including Vogel State Park just south of town, as well as petroglyphs left by ancient natives in the soapstone at Trackrock Archeological Area, just east of Blairsville. Brasstown Bald offers a 360 degree view of breath-taking sights at 4,784 ft. with an Observation Deck and Visitors Center open May – November.

Families love festivals, and Blairsville hosts many throughout the year. The Downtown area have Arts, Crafts, & Music Festivals, cruise-in on the square, parades, concerts, great shopping, and restuarants. Meeks Park is host to the The Butternut Creek Festival and The Sorghum Festival in October that showcases Sorghum Syrup making with great food and live entertainment.

Year round events and beautiful scenery invite people to lodge in cabins, retreats, and campgrounds located throughout Blairsville for family vacations, weddings, and weekend getaways. Local wineries and distilleries offer tastings for agri-tourism. The rich mountain soil also provides great educational site at the Georgia Mountain Research & Education Center. What ever path the road turns;

You're Invited to Explore All that Blairsville has to offer in any Season at www.VisitDowntownBlairsville or www.VisitBlairsville.com