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Historical Markers in Lumpkin County  
Historical Markers provide a fairly accurate account of some of the history of Lumpkin County. Many of the historical markers placed throughout the County by the WPA and The Georgia Historical Commission have been removed for construction projects and for other reasons.

This section contains the original write up of all of the markers and photos of those still standing.
 
 Auraria Auraria, (gold), in 1832 the scene of Georgia's first gold rush, was named by John C. Calhoun, owner of a nearby mine worked by Calhoun slaves. Auraria and Dahlonega were the two real gold towns in the U. S. before 1849. Between 1829 and 1839 about $20,000,000 in gold was mined in Georgia's Cherokee country. From Auraria in 1858 the "Russell boys," led by Green Russell, went west and established another Auraria near the mouth of Cherry Creek that later became Denver, Colo. Green Russell uncovered a fabulous lode called Russell Gulch near which was built Central City, Colo., "richest square mile on earth." Placed by the Georgia Historical Commission at old GA 9E and Castleberry Bridge Road in 1954.
 
The Town of Auraia
The town of Auraria, first known as, Nuckollsville, 4 miles south, sprang up in 1832 during the North Georgia gold rush and its name, meaning "gold," was selected by Senator John C. Calhoun. In ten months it had a population of 1000 and one of the First Newspapers in Cherokee section, but lost the county seat to the then smaller Dahlonega. Today only a few houses remain, but gold is still mined in the Vicinity. Placed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) on GA 9 west of Dahlonega. The marker is no longer there.
 

 The Station

 This is the site of one of the forts or stations used by the United States Government in Cherokee country in 1838 to round up the Cherokee Indians for their removal to western reservations. General Winfield Scott, commander of the troops used to assemble and protect the Indians in that period, had his headquarters here at one time. It is believed that Federal troops also used this station as early as 1830 to guard the gold mines from intruders - Indians or Whites - until the question of owner ship of the territory was established. Placed by the Georgia Historical Commission on GA 9E near Auraria in 1954. The marker was removed at an undetermined time and was replaced in 1997. That marker stood for a short time only before knocked over by a vehicle in 1997. The marker was replaced again in 1999.

 

 Neels Gap

 Blood Mountain - Elevation 4458 Ft. - Chattahoochee National Forest
In Cherokee mythology the mountain was one of the homes of the Nunnehi or Immortals, the "People Who Live Anywhere," a race of Spirit People who lived in great townhouses in the highlands of the old Cherokee Country. One of these mythical townhouses stood near Lake Trahlyta. As a friendly people they often brought lost hunters and wanderers to their townhouses for rest and care before guiding them back to their homes. Before the coming of white settlers, the Creeks and Cherokees fought a disastrous and bloody battle in Slaughter Gap between Slaughter and Blood Mountains. This marker was placed at Neel's gap by the Georgia Historical Commission.

 

 Lumpkin Court House

 This court house, built in 1836, replaced the small log structure used, since the establishment of Lumpkin County in 1832. The town was named Dahlonega in October 1833, for the Cherokee word "Tahlonega" meaning "golden." From its steps in 1849, Dr. M. F. Stephenson, assayer at the Mint, attempted to dissuade Georgia miners from leaving to join the California gold rush. His oration gave rise to the sayings, "There's millions in it" and "Thar's gold in them thar hills." Placed by the WPA on the Public Square near the present Gold Museum.

 
Gold Dahlonega
Gold in the original gold veins was first discovered in Georgia in 1828 by Benjamin Parks 3 miles south in what was then Cherokee Indian territory. The resulting gold rush hastened the exodus of the In Indians an settled the region. The discovery mine, known as the Calhoun, was later owned and operated by Senator John C. Calhoun of South Carolina. Others operated it at intervals and periodically have made discoveries of ore. Placed on the south side of the Gold Museum by the WPA in 1941. The marker is no longer standing.
 

 Price Memorial Building

 Erected here in 1837 was a U. S. Branch Mint which operated until seized by the Confederates in 1861. It produced gold coins estimated to exceed $6,000,000.00 in value. In 1871 the mint building and ten acres of land were transferred to the state for use as an agricultural college, largely through the efforts in Congress of Representative William Pierce Price, founder of North Georgia College and President of its Board of Trustees until his death in 1908. The mint building was destroyed by fire in 1878 and in the following year a second building was constructed on the old foundation walls. The new structure came to serve as the college administration building and in 1934 by action of the state Board of Regents was named the Price Memorial Building to honor the founder. Leafing of the steeple with gold from the surrounding hills was sponsored by the Dahlonega Club to commemorate in 1973 the 100th anniversary of the college. Placed by the Georgia Historical Commission on West Main St. at the entrance to North Georgia College in 1973.

 

 Findley Ridge

 Many famous gold mines of the Dahlonega era were along this ridge on both sides of this highway. The saprolite and vein gold mining operations along here contributed much to the $35,000,000 in gold taken from this district. Surface and underground mining began here with the discovery of rich gold shoots. This occurred near the close of the placer mining period during which much gold was recovered by working rich gravels along the streams with so-called "Dahlonega method." Water was conducted by canals from the headwaters of Yahoola Creek. The many huge cuts observable along this ridge were made by this method of mining. Placed by the Georgia Historical Commission on GA 60 on the south edge of Dahlonega (Crown Mountain) in 1953. The marker was replaced in 2000 after having been displaced for a number of years.

 

 Calhoun Gold Mine

 Famous Calhoun gold mine where it is said vein gold was first discovered in Georgia by white men. Shortly after discovery this mine was sold to U. S. Senator John C. Calhoun, of South Carolina. It was operated by Thomas G. Clemson, son-in-law of Calhoun, and some of the gold used to found Clemson College, S. C. Specimens from this mine are exhibited at the State Capitol in Atlanta. In 1828 while deer hunting, Benjamin Parks, of Dahlonega, accidentally found quartz gold in pockets or lodes. His find was so rich in gold that it was yellow like yolk of eggs. Located on US 19 and GA 60, 3.7 miles east of Dahlonega.

 

 Consolidated Gold Mines

 One mile southeast of here, from 1900 to 1906, the Dahlonega Consolidated Mining Company operated what is considered the largest gold plant ever constructed east of the Mississippi River. Capitalized at $5,000,000, the plant included a 120-stamp mill, a large chlorinator, a 550 foot tunnel and numerous small buildings. The Consolidated Mining Company furnished much of the setting for one of the earliest moving picture westerns, "The Plunderer," starring William Farnum. The film was made in Dahlonega and its environs before the first World War. Placed by the Georgia Historical Commission at GA 52 and Consolidated Mine Road in 1954.

 

 Dahlonega Mustering Grounds

 During the War Between the States nine companies were organized on this site; five were mustered here in 1861, two in 1862, and two in 1864. Men from other north Georgia counties came to Dahlonega to be mustered here in the companies of Lumpkin County. Most of these were from White, Dawson, and Floyd Counties. The old mustering grounds were the rallying point for troops in other periods of national and state crises. Lumpkin County men met here to join Texans fighting for independence in 1836, to aid U. S. troops in removing the Cherokees in 1838, and to wage war against Mexico in 1846-1848. Placed by the Georgia Historical Commission at North Grove and North Hawkins Streets in 1960.

 
"Gold Diggers' Road"  This section of highway was once a part of the "Gold Diggers' Road," one of the earliest ways used in reaching this area during the Gold Rush days. Beginning on the Chestatee River to the east, where it connected with a route coming from South Carolina via Toccoa, Clarkesville, and Cleveland, the Gold Diggers' Road led here; thence southward, along U. S. 19 to Dahlonega, and from there to Auraria. Much of its original course is now abandoned. Placed on US 19/GA60/9, at the junction with Business US19/GA60, 4 miles north of Dahlonega by the Georgia Historical Commission.
 

Trahlyta's Grave

 This pile of stones marks the grave of a Cherokee princess, Trahlyta. According to legend her tribe, living on Cedar Mountain north of here, knew the secret of the magic springs of eternal youth from the Witch of Cedar Mountain. Trahlyta, kidnapped by a rejected suitor, Wahsega, was taken far away and lost her beauty. As she was dying, Wahsega promised to bury her here near her home and the magic springs. Custom arose among the Indians and later the Whites to drop stones, one for each passerby, on her grave for good fortune. The magic springs, now known as Porter Springs lie 1/4 mile northeast of here. Placed at GA 60 and US 19/GA9, 9 miles north of Dahlonega by the Georgia Historical Commission in 1953.