Blue Ridge, McCaysville, and Fannin County

Points of Interest

Blue Ridge
McCaysville
Epworth
Higdon
Cherry Log
Morganton
Mineral Bluff
Lake Blue Ridge Chattahoochee National Forest
Toccoa River
Benton Mackay Trail
Rich Mountain
Aska Adventure Area
Weaver Creek Road
Dry Branch
Snake Nation Area
Deep Gap
Shallowford Bridge
The Swinging Bridge
Deep Hole Recreation Area
Woody Lake
Chestatee Overlook
Jake and Bull Mountain Horse and Bicycle Trails

History

Cherokee Indians controlled the area today known as Fannin County when the first white settlements appeared. Unlike much of the rest of Georgia, Fannin County's first settlers did not come from the East, but from the North. Written accounts date these earliest settlements to 1790. Crossing the Appalachian Mountains to Fort Loudon (now Tennessee), the first settlers followed the Tennessee River south, where they took the Ocoee-Toccoa to the wide, fertile valley that separates the Cohuttas and the Blue Ridge Mountains in Fannin County. Coastal Georgians began to push the Cherokee further west and this land was surrendered by the Cherokee in 1835 under the terms of the Treaty of New Echota. In 1838 the Cherokee were forced to leave in a travesty today known as the Trail of Tears.

Fannin County was created in 1854 from portions of Union County and Gilmer County, with Morganton as the first county seat. Col. James Fannin, for whom the county is named, was a hero in the Texas War for Independence. Ordered by Sam Houston to pull back from a fortified position in Goliad, Fannin was surrounded by forces under the command of Gen. José de Urrea in the battle of Coleto. Fannin surrendered his force of about 400 men, who were later massacred.

Appalachia farmers in this area grew products (corn) that had to be taken to a mill and "cracked" before use; hence the term "cracker" was frequently applied. Agriculture, and the businesses supporting agriculture, have been (and still are) a mainstay of the Fannin County economy since its earliest days. After the Civil War cotton became a mainstay of the area. A push for diversification at the start of the 20th century greatly expand the types of crops raised. From the mid-1800's until the start of the 19th century mining also contributed to the economy, as did lumber from 1900 until World War II.

The Marietta and North Georgia Railroad made an economic decision to avoid Fannin's county seat of Morganton, building the railroad through the long, relatively flat Toccoa River Valley. Col. Mike McKinney founded the town of Blue Ridge in 1886 along the route of the railroad. When it arrived in Fannin County it gave the county a market for its agricultural products. What had taken days to deliver now took hours. In the early 1920's construction began on U. S. Highway 76, further increasing access to this once remote area.

Tourism picked up with the completion of the railroad to Blue Ridge, but this boon was short-lived. Starting in the 1950's tourism surged again in the county. With the completion of the Georgia Mountain Parkway in 1986 this trickle became a flood.

Much of the land in Fannin County is under Forest Service management. Beginning as the Cherokee and later the Georgia National Forest, today's Chattahoochee National Forest is a gem in Fannin County's crown. Managed for use by all Americans the land creates jobs, offers recreational opportunities and preserves ecologically sensitive areas from overuse.

Attractions in Blue Ridge, McCaysville
& the Copper Basin

While many people make the journey to Fannin County for our natural attractions, or just to kick back and relax, there are many things to do here to make your visit more fun. The Georgia Historic High Country Travel Association calls the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway one of the "must see" attractions in the north Georgia mountains. The railroad connects the towns of Blue Ridge and McCaysville, and offers a journey along the Toccoa River with the backdrop of the Blue Ridge and Cohutta Mountains.

The charming cities of Blue Ridge and McCaysville each have a distinct character and history. You'll enjoy browsing through antique, craft and specialty shops in both of the quaint downtowns. Cross the Blue Line in McCaysville and you're in Tennessee. Watch for the "chicken crossing" sign near Blue Ridge City Park in Blue Ridge or even a Mama Chicken and her chicks. While you're in downtown Blue Ridge, don't miss the opportunity to take a horse driven carriage ride.

Southern Living Magazine has called Mercier Orchards its "favorite roadside market." You are guaranteed to find the best assortment of north Georgia apples and the best fried apple pie anywhere. For another farm experience, visit Sugar Creek Farm and Inn and see the Suri Alpacas. You can also see the Alpaca wool spun into yarn at Georgia Mountain Fiber at Hampton Square. Blairsville's Southern Tree Plantation has lots more than Christmas trees.  Visit during October for Fun on the Farm, with pumpkins, hay rides, a petting farm, marshmallow roasting, kid's train and pony rides and much more.  Facilities at the tree plantation are also available for special parties, events and weddings all year long.

To learn more about the mining history of the Copper Basin, visit the Burra Burra Mine and Museum in Ducktown, Tenn. Last, but not least, visit the Ocoee Whitewater Center, site of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Canoe/Kayak/Slalom events. The information center displays legacy items from the games. There are hiking trails, picnic areas, a native garden, gift shop and "The Blue Hole," the area's most famous swimming hole

In the spring of 1998, the first Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race started as Georgia’s first adventure race. Eight years later the race continues to be a favorite of racers throughout the southeast. Teams look forward to a new adventure welcoming spring to Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Organizers of the Annual Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race promise a challenging contest with lots of surprises and some of the most stunning scenery anywhere -- plus the famous Blue Ridge hospitality racers have come to expect and enjoy. So get your team ready to run, paddle, mountain bike and navigate in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains. Up to 100 co-ed teams of three (plus one support person) will run along the forested trails of the Chattahoochee National Forest, paddle on the Toccoa River and/or Lake Blue Ridge, mountain bike steep trails and complete mystery challenges along the way. Although the course changes from year to year, the finish line is still in downtown Blue Ridge City Park, with live music, food and relaxing fun.

Lake Blue Ridge

The crystal clear aquamarine waters of Lake Blue Ridge make it one of Georgia's most picturesque mountain lakes. The 3,290-acre Lake and surrounding area boast over 90 national forest campsites, several boat ramps, a full-service marina and public swimming and picnic areas. 80 percent of the shoreline on Lake Blue Ridge is in the Chattahoochee National Forest, managed by the USDA Forest Service.
Morganton Point Campground, in Morganton, features a public swimming area, along with 43 campsites, picnic tables and pavilion and a boat ramp. Another boat ramp is available at Lakewood Landing near Morganton. The Lake Blue Ridge Marina offers boat ramp access on a fee basis, along with pontoon rentals.

The lake is home to bass, bream, catfish, perch and crappie, which make the area popular with anglers. It is also known for its white bass fishing.
Blue Ridge reservoir is 11 miles long and has 65 miles of shoreline, 25 percent of which is developed. The lake was formed when Blue Ridge Dam was constructed on the Toccoa River in 1930 by the Toccoa Electric Power Company. At the time it was built, the dam was the largest earthen dam in the Southeast. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) purchased the facility in 1939 for hydroelectric power production.

Shopping

During the early 1900's, visitors from the city journeyed to Blue Ridge by train to enjoy the health resort's pure mineral waters. Today, growing numbers of tourists are coming to historic Blue Ridge and McCaysville to shop for Appalachian arts and crafts, pottery, quilts, antiques, mountain home furnishings, apples, smoked trout-- even hand-made alpaca sweaters and shawls. Artists are attracted to the Georgia Mountains because the peace and quiet, misty mountains and clear starry nights provide time, tranquility and inspiration for creating wonderful art, from tradition art and craft to contemporary painting and sculpture. Examples -- blacksmithing, pottery making, wood carving, weaving, folk art and jewelry, handcrafted furniture, watercolor and oil painting, hand blown glass -- all and more are produced by fine local artists and craftsmen. Georgia Mountain Fibers, one of the newest shops in Blue Ridge, weaves hand spun alpaca sweaters and shawls made in Blue Ridge from alpaca wool produced at Sugar Creek Farm. High Country Art and Antiques, in downtown Blue Ridge, displays the work of nationally known painters, potters and sculptors, along with a colorful array of folk art in the courtyard.

Serious antique shoppers can spend hours or days snooping through a growing number of shops and antique malls from Blue Ridge to McCaysville and back. Blue Ridge's Main Street is dotted with unique specialty shops, galleries and eateries from one end to the other. In Fannin County, you can furnish a mountain cabin from top to bottom with period antiques, mountain furnishings and handmade twig furniture in the blink of an eye.

Don't forget to sample our southern food specialties! Mercier Orchards, one of the largest apple orchards in the southeast, grows 50 varieties of apples and makes delicious fried pies, apple cider doughnuts and apple bread from scratch. Take home some pickled okra, hot pepper jelly, locally smoked trout or sourwood honey. Buy some homegrown vegetables from a fruit stand or a pick-up truck. Or pick up a case of mountain water drawn and bottled right here in Fannin County!


If you would like additional information call or email me and I’ll point you in the right direction.