Georgia Gold RushDahlonega, GABy Sheree BykofskyEureka! I found Dahlonega! And finding the village of Dahlonega (pronounced with the accent on the second syllable) is exactly like finding gold. The sign welcoming you to Dahlonega is written in gold—and with good reason: Dahlonega was founded in 1833 as the very first gold rush town. One of the first sights that will draw your eyes is the bright yellow gilded dome of the Memorial Hall administration building at the North Georgia College and State University.
Right in the center of the square sits the historic Gold Museum where you can learn the history of the Dahlonega gold rush and get a feel for what it was like in Dahlonega in the early 19th century. For a more up close look at Georgia gold mining, visit the two mines in the area: Crisson’s and Consolidated. At Consolidated go down into a real mine. The 40 minute tour is very enjoyable. At Crisson’s, watch the stamper pound the gold out of the rocks and then learn how to pan for gold. You’re almost guaranteed to find at least a few specks to take home with you. If you’re in town for many days, you must try the food at all of the restaurants, from the pizza at Caruso’s Italian Restaurant (and Mud Pie for dessert) to the seafood at the Back Porch Oyster Bar to an upscale brunch at the Corkscrew Cafe. But no matter how long you are in town, one restaurant must be sampled, and that is the Smith House. Served family style, giant platters of country food are placed at the long tables, and no one has ever left that restaurant hungry. The fried chicken is the best in the world. Expect yams and potatoes, vegetables and rolls. The menu changes daily, but it always include chicken. Before you leave, stop and see the gold exhibit at the Smith House.
My favorite place to stay is the Lily Creek Lodge bed & breakfast. The tango suite, with its own entrance, oversized whirlpool tub, crystal chandelier and lush antiques is so romantic that when I checked in alone, I told the innkeepers that the room should come with a boyfriend. Being the kind of innkeepers that aim to please and possessing just the right upbeat personalities to thrive in this business, they responded without skipping a beat that I simply hadn’t given them enough notice. But they didn’t need any notice to prepare multi-course gourmet breakfasts that are different every day, with each item carefully prepared from fresh ingredients. Rooms at the inn are also comfortable and pretty, each uniquely decorated with beautiful art and genuine antiques. The main areas are unsurpassed in comfort and beauty. Listen to opera or watch a giant flat screen TV. Dine at your own table for two on lace tablecloths or take your breakfast in the tree house outside. Or on the porch in the gazebo. Stroll down to the pool where you can enjoy a swim beside a waterfall or soak in the hot tub on the secluded deck. No one leaves Lily Creek without wanting to return.
There is so much to do in Dahlonega in every season. Shopping on the square is but the start of a fabulous weekend or weeklong trip. Several lovely wineries dot the area. Before Prohibition, Georgia was the seventh largest producer of wine in the U.S. The fine Georgia wines made at the many local vineyards attest to that fact. Tour the pretty vineyards and enjoy tastings at all of them. Lunch with a view is served from Thursday through Sunday at Wolf Mountain Vineyards, where delicious pizzas and sandwiches are perfectly paired with delicious artfully blended wines. In the neighboring county, just a fifteen minute drive away is a truly unique destination: the Kangaroo Conservation Center in Dawsonville. Tour the facility in the KangaRanger Trolley and learn about these fascinating marsupials as you look for the little joeys’ heads peeking out of their Moms’ pouches as they hop over to check you out. More than 250 kangaroos live and thrive here in Georgia’s “outback.” Just don’t believe them when they tell you how the kangaroo got its name. It’s not true.
When the early gold rushers of Georgia heard tales of better pickings in California, a local politician tried to stop them from leaving. He pointed to the Appalachians and said, “Thar’s gold in them thar hills.” He could not have been more correct. For golden times, rush to Dahlonega, but when you get there, you’ll definitely want to slow down. IF YOU GO: Dahlonega Visitors Center Dahlonega Gold Museum Consolidated Gold Mines, Inc. Crisson Gold Mine The Smith House Caruso’s Italian Restaurant The Back Porch Oyster Bar Corkscrew Café Top of the Square Bed and Breakfast Lily Creek Lodge Forrest Hills Mountain Resort Wolf Mountain Vineyards Kangaroo Conservation Center Photos courtesy of Dahlonega Visitors Center |
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to the quintessential Mayberry town square. Stop at the visitor center to
refresh and get oriented, and then get out there with your wallet and enjoy the
many shops around the square that feature the fine work of many local artisans.
There are many gift shops, antique shops, and a wonderful rare book shop. You’ll
find a jewelry store, a general store, and a barbershop filled with men getting
shaves and haircuts.
There
are many lovely places in the area to lay your head to rest. One such place is
right there in the square. It’s called Top of the Square, but there are only two
rooms. Both rooms are lovely, but try to score the one with the whirlpool tub.
Don’t worry if the rooms are full because there are other choices nearby.
Another
fine accommodation can be found at the Forrest Hills Mountain Resort and
Conference Center, which caters to couples, particularly those getting married.
Over one hundred weddings are performed each y ear at the resort chapel. There
are three choices of cabins (traditional, rustic or Victorian), all with a
whirlpool/hot tub for eight , specially crafted bed that makes you look forward
to going to sleep at night (and they’re for sale, too, in case you want to sleep
as well at home). Forrest Hills is a resort and conference center and as such is
very large and spread out. Horseback riding is available, and the day spa is
pretty and has a room for couple’s massage as well as the usual spa offerings
for one.
There is always something going on in Dahlonega. During the
day, take a scenic drive to Dockery Lake or Amicalola Falls. The festivals are
very popular in the town square but none more than the Bear on the Square
Mountain Festival held each April in the Public Square. At night, take in a
show. The performances are surprisingly exceptional at the Holly Theatre, where
the actors are all volunteers. Or do a pub crawl through the local bars and
taverns where the ale and the music will be rivals for your affection.