Contractor Ephraim Clayton built this courthouse of locally made brick which includes a trace amount of gold. The building served as the seat of Lumpkin county government from 1836 to 1965. It is the oldest public building in this section of Georgia. The building was restored by the state of Georgia as a State historic site and adapted for use as the Gold Museum, which presents information on the gold deposits of Georgia and on the Georgia Gold Rush. Now the Gold Museum.

Old Lumpkin County Courthouse, 1836

John A. Parker Storehouse, c1858, later known as Nix Grocery, 1936-1983, now The Crimson Moon Cafe'. This frame store is the oldest surviving commercial building on the Square. John A. Parker owned the property from 1858 to 1888. It is crude in its conception and construction and tells us the reality of a small, isolated, gold-mining town. That this building survived is due largely to Mr. Nelson A. Nix, who operated his grocery here from 1936 until his death in 1983. Compare this store with the facade of its younger neighbor, the c1880 Crawford House. The two neighboring buildings illustrate continuity of the vernacular design from generation to generation. This building has been the inspiration for a number of colorful local stories, often presented as fact.

John A. Parker Storehouse, c1858

Builder and date of construction not yet documented for this frame store. Hiram D. Gurley purchased lot in 1880 with a structure in the same location. It is unclear whether Gurley razed the existing building or only remodeled it. Subsequent owners have made substantial alterations. Its basic style of gable-end to the street and second story porch is quite common to this area. The name Crawford House attaches to this building from a long period when the upstairs apartment was occupied by the Crawford family, related by marriage to H. D. Gurley. Now Norman Adams Insurance.

 Crawford House, c1880

The origin of this small building has not yet been documented. The building may have been moved here from another location, making it difficult to trace its origin. It may have been an Assay Office. The building was in use at the location in 1880 as a doctor's office. It is on Town Lot #94, the lot known historically as "Lawyers' Corner." The clapboard building with high hip roof is only 25' wide and 18' deep. It exhibits architectural quality in the skillful use of proportion and scale, giving the impression of being a larger building than it is, and achieving an air of simple dignity. R. H. Baker, whose name is associated with the building, purchased this property in 1891. He was a onetime law partner of W. P. Price. Now Wimpy Construction Co.

 Baker Law Office, c1880

This tiny brick building (originally unpainted) was described in an 1881 newspaper as "Capt. Hall's neat little office," an apt description when you note the detailed brickwork of the facade and the refined cornice of this modest building. Little original interior finish remains, but its minute space should be experienced to comprehend the long and fascinating history of this tiny structure. Used first as Hall's office, it was the first location of the original Bank of Dahlonega and subsequently the first location of the Bank of Lumpkin County, site of the storied 1913 attempted bank robbery. During the Great Depression of the 1930's Alec Housley had his shoe repair shop here. As he worked he dreamed and talked about a new industry for Lumpkin county - commercial chicken farming. His dream was realized and has become a significant component of the local economy. Now "The Pink Pineapple".

Hall Office, c1881

This is one of the three surviving buildings on the Northwest side of the square built by Frank W. Hall. This large frame structure in Victorian Mansardic Style was built to house Hall's family and to provide lodgings for travelers. Upstairs apartments are in use as Gabee's Restaurant, The Backporch Oyster Bar, Top of the Square B&B and the Art Cart. Now Robert M. Moore Building.

Hall House, c1881

Constructed of solid brick, this Victorian Italianate Style mercantile building was built by Frank W. Hall. Note original cornice cave, with brackets and building name. Flagpole and weather vane are original. Frank W. Hall, a native of Vermont, came to Dahlonega after the Civil War and engaged in a variety of successful ventures so that he came to be regarded by some as "the richest man in Lumpkin County." John H. Moore purchased Hall's Block and the adjoining properties from Hall's widow in 1919. Thus began a long history of use as Moore's Store, the more familiar name to many local residents. the present owner has subdivided the building to accommodate more commercial tenants for modern-day use. Now houses several shops.

Hall's Block, 1883

Dr. C. H. Jones built this frame Victorian residence to house his family and office. In 1906 Dr. Jones extended the porch around the sides of the house. The Jones family retained ownership until 1966. The house, which has mostly original interior finish, is an excellent example of rural interpretation of the Victorian fashion. The current owner, Glenn Conner, identifies the building as "Conner House," and continues the careful preservation of this interesting house. Now Conner House.

Jones House, c1885

The oldest surviving building on the south side of the square. Constructed of brick (originally unpainted) in Victorian Italianate Style for the Honorable William Pierce Price (U.S. Congressman 1870-73) by G. L. Mesaerl, Evansville, Indiana, whose builder's mark can be seen on the facade. Price, a native of Dahlonega and distinguished early citizen, contracted for the construction of this building to house his law office upstairs and his son's general store downstairs. Little original finish remains on the ground floor. Although ownership changed many times over the years, the building continued in use for a variety of purposes, including use as the early movie theater, The Holly, predating the Holly Theatre of 1948, which is located on West Main St. The building now houses the Picnic Cafe on the ground floor and as it did originally a law office on the second floor.

 Price Building, 1897

Jones Drug Store, 1909, also "Lipscomb's Drug Store", 1923-1967, and "Woody's Barber Shop", 1926-present. Now Prudential Realty and Woody's Barber Shop, Georgia's oldest operating barber shop. Dr. C. H. Jones, whose former residence is nearby, built this clapboard building for his drug store. Note the bracketed cornice on the false front. About 1919 John H. Moore expanded the building but retained the character of the facade design. Woody's Barber Shop has been in continuous operation at this location since 1926. Dr. Jones built this drug store to replace a small shop located next to his residence. Also known as "Lipscomb's Drug Store" because of its long-time use from 1923-1967 by pharmacist D. H. Lipscomb.

 Jones Drug Store, 1909

Constructed for college physician, Dr. Homer Head to house the bank and his office on the second floor. The exterior facade is hand-cast molded cement block, molded by Mr. Thomas Stringer to resemble rusticated stone. The current Bank of Dahlonega, not related to the earlier bank of the same name, was established here in 1914 and remained here until it moved to its present location on W. Main St. in 1963. The original bank vault is still visible on the first floor. Now a restaurant.

Bank of Dahlonega 1910

Sargent Building, c1910, also "The Head Corner" c1925-1937, now houses Brad Walker Pottery, Vicki Lynn's, The Front Porch Sandwich Shop and other shops and offices. Sheriff John F. Sargent purchased this site in 1910, but had to raze an existing structure before building this one, thus some question as to the date. Sargent built this structure to house the Dahlonega Hotel, which was in operation in 1910. Some salvage material from the earlier building may have been used by Sargent in the construction. Much of interest in the highly individual personality of the vernacular style frame building, showing some Victorian and some neo-colonial elements. Note almost total disregard for formal balance in the size and placement of windows, doors, shop fronts, etc. It is probably the second story porch spanning the front which holds the facade design together, generating a spirit of cozy informality unusual in so large a frame building. The building came to be known as the Head Corner after it was purchased by college physician Dr. Homer Head in 1925. He boarded college students, and maintained his own office on the North Park St. side of the building.

Sargent Building, c1910

Meaders Bros. Building, c1914 now Mim's and Habersham Wine Tasting In 1914 the Meaders announced their intention to build this brick building to house the Bank of Lumpkin County in the north half and the U.S. Post Office in the south half, with offices upstairs. Two office suites retain almost all original finish and trim, including wood flooring and pressed tin ceilings with large, working transoms over the first floor windows and double doors. The contractor was J. F. Sargent. The Bank of Lumpkin County, which was originally located in the Hall Office Building was at this location until it was merged with the Bank of Dahlonega in 1901.

Meaders Bros. Building, c1914

Housley Brothers Building, 1928, also "Joe Phillips' Store" (1940 to 1970), now Massachusetts' Bay Trading Company. Brothers W. M. and B. B. Housley constructed this building for their store with living quarters above. The exterior is unusual textured cement stucco original to the building. It has been said the brothers' compassion for their neighbors during the Great Depression led to the over-extension of credit resulting in the demise of their own business. Joseph H. Phillips purchased the property and operated Joe Phillips' Store here 1940-1970.

Housley Brothers Building, 1928

Now Mary's Mini-Mall

W. A. Whitmire Store, 1935