Area Information

Cherokee Indians were the original inhabitants of what would eventually be known as Fannin County. As the first white settlements appeared, Native Americans were pushed progressively further west. The land was finally surrendered by the Cherokee in 1835 under the Treaty of New Echota. In 1838, the Cherokee were forced to leave and embarked upon what we now call the "Trail of Tears." The first white settlers came to our region because of the promise of copper, gold and other mining opportunities. Fannin County was officially created in 1854 from portions of Union County and Gilmer County. Col. James Fannin, for whom the county is named, was a native of Georgia and a hero in the Texas War for Independence. The first county seat was in Morganton.

Fannin Regional Hospital serves the area's health care needs. Riverstone Medical Campus provides additional health experts to the city. Copper Basin Medical Center and North Georgia Medical Center are alternatives located within 15 miles of town. Air transport is provided most closely by Martin Campbell Field Airport from Copperhill, Tennessee, just 11 miles away, and Blairsville Municipal Airport only 20 miles outside of town. Light Up Blue Ridge is an annual Christmas event held at the end of November each year. For one Saturday every year, our town comes alive with entertainers, free horse-drawn carriage rides, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Kids can pet live reindeer or talk to such beloved characters as Frosty and Rudolph. In addition, our usual collection of shops, boutiques, art galleries and antique stores all stay open later than usual for this special day. And of course, the climax is reached when the impressive downtown Christmas tree is illuminated for the first night of the season. If you have a taste for the performing arts, the Blue Ridge Community Theater is located in downtown Hampton Square. Built by volunteers in 2003, this newer venue has proven a crowd-pleasing draw that has put on a number of high profile productions such as "The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe," "A Streetcar Named Desire," "Godspell" and more. It's about 45 miles to Lumpkin County and the town of Dahlonega in the heart of Georgia's wine country. Wineries, vineyards and related restaurants are only the start of what you'll find here. The Dahlonega area also has a number of historic gold mines, impressive mountain biking trails and some noteworthy golf courses, including The Nicklaus Golf Club at Birch River, which was designed by Jack Nicklaus himself. Outdoor adventures abound around Blue Ridge. Nearly half of Fannin County is either in a Wildlife Management Area or U.S. Forestry Service land, ensuring that the region will never become crowded and natural beauty will be maintained. Water recreation is abundant near Blue Ridge. Toccoa River and Lake Blue Ridge offer water sports and fishing as does Carters Lake, Lake Conasauga and others. You can also explore Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, which contain a wide variety of creeks and lakes as well as waterfalls such as the Anna Ruby and DeSoto falls. Many of the bodies in these parks provide public boat ramps for recreational use. Or try out Southeastern Expeditions Whitewater Adventures to experience a faster-paced, more thrilling kind of water-based fun. For those who prefer dry land, these forests also play host to scenic overlooks, trails and many camping areas. Some of the sundry area trails include the famed Appalachian Trail, the Benton MacKaye Trail and Pinhoti Trail. Horseback riding can be enjoyed at the Cohutta Wilderness Stables and Fort Mountain Stables in Fort Mountain State Park. Brasstown Bald is Georgia's highest mountain. More than just an impressive part of the scenery, it is also open to visitors, providing a panoramic view of four states, exhibits tracing the natural and cultural history of the area, video presentations, 4 hiking trails, picnic areas and more. Mercier Orchards have been operating in the mountains for approximately 65 years. Aside from the fresh apples and apple-based products such as ciders and jellies, they also feature a deli and bakery where you can stop and enjoy true country cooking. If you get tired of exercising your legs out on the trails, mountains and orchards, feel free to exercise your mind at a local museum or gallery. The Ducktown Basin Museum allows visitors to explore 150 years of history in the Copper Basin, from the arrival of the earliest miners who first settled our town up through the closing of the last mine in 1987. If your tastes veer toward the artistic, check out the Multitudes Gallery. It represents the work of over 90 nationally recognized hand-blown glass artists in addition to regional artists who specialize in pottery, photography, paintings, mosaics and iron work. High Country Art & Antique is a Fannin County favorite where you can find the work of another 30 to 40 southern artists who work in a variety of formats such as paints, metal, jewelry and more. Finally, the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association began the process of transforming our old county courthouse into another center for local artistry and community activity in 2004.

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