1928 DAHLONEGA GOLD RUSH

Gold Mining History

Gold was first discovered in the Dahlonega area in 1828, twenty years before the Gold Rush to California. When it was discovered it was completely by accident... Deer hunter, Benjamin Parks, tripped over a rock 2 ½ miles south of what is now Dahlonega, upon inspecting the rock, he discovered that it was full of gold! Within one year’s time some 15,000 miners heard about that and rushed to find some gold for themselves. At that time there was so much gold in and around Dahlonega that it laid on top of the ground, washing off the mountainsides for centuries. Dahlonega is home to one of the largest quartz veins containing gold in the world. This quartz vein measures 22" thick.

Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site

Historic Site (706) 864-2257 Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site is now open daily. Selected as a "Readers Choice" site in Georgia Magazine, October 2009. Twenty years before the famed 1849 gold rush in California, thousands of prospectors flocked into the Cherokee Nation in north Georgia, marking the true beginning of our country's first gold rush. Their dramatic story is told inside the historic 1836 Lumpkin County Courthouse, the oldest courthouse in Georgia. Dahlonega prospered with this mining activity, and a U.S. Branch Mint opened in 1838, coining more than $6 million in gold before closing in 1861. The museum's exhibits include a set of these coins, a nugget weighing more than five ounces, a large hydraulic cannon and nozzle used to blast soil from mountainsides, a film and gift shop. Visitors can also explore the courthouse features, including beautiful wooden chapel seats from 1889 and the judge's chambers. The town of Dahlonega is a popular destination for gold panning, shopping and sightseeing. NOTICE: Some exhibits are on the second floor and are not wheelchair accessible. Guidelines from the National Register of Historic Places prevent the addition of an elevator to this building. Dahlonega Gold Museum According to an interview conducted by the Atlanta Constitution in 1894, Benjamin Parks first discovered gold in the Lumpkin County area while deer hunting in 1828.The courthouse building was built using locally made brick which includes trace amounts of gold. The building served as the seat of Lumpkin county government from 1836 to 1965. it is the oldest existing courthouse in Georgia of 132 historic courthouses. The building was restored by the state of Georgia as a State Historic Site and adapted for use as the Gold Museum and is one of the most visited Historic Sites in the state.The Dahlonega Courthouse Gold Museum offers visitors a look at the mining history of Georgia. A 23-minute film describes the mining techniques and lifestyles of the prospectors through interviews with members of long time mining families of the area. Gold Coins The Three Dollar Gold was minted only in the year of its introduction in 1854. A total of 1,380,757 gold coins including the Half Eagle(1,109,258), Quarter Eagle(197,850), the Gold Dollar(72,529) and the Three Dollar Gold(1120) were minted at the Dahlonega Branch Mint from 1838 to 1861. A complete set of 59 coins on loan from North Georgia College & State University is on display at the museum. Location and Hours The museum is located in the center of the square in Dahlonega. The hours of operation are Monday-Saturday 9 A.M. - 5 P.M. and on Sundays 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.. The museum is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. A small admission fee is required. For More Information Dahlonega Courthouse Gold Museum State Historic Site Public Square Dahlonega, Georgia 30533 (706) 864-2257 Crisson Gold Mine The Crisson Gold Mine dating back to 1847 is open for tours and gold panning. Located 2 1/2 miles north of town on US Highway 19 Connector. This operating 10-stamp mill is demonstrated as part of the Crisson Gold Mine Tour. Pan for gold or try you luck at gem grubbin, where you can find rubies, emeralds, garnets, and more! Great fun for the kids, you and old. Open every day except Christmas. For more information call 706 864-6363. Crisson Gold Mine is an actual open pit gold mine that was established in 1847 and was worked commercially until the early 1980s. We've been open to the public since 1969 and we are the oldest gold mining establishment in North Georgia. At Crisson Gold Mine, there is a 125-year-old stamp mill that is still used to crush quartz rock which contains gold. This crushed rock is called ore. In addition to the stamp mill, we have rod mills and jaw crushers that we occasionally use. All of these antique gold mining machines along with our open pit mine can be seen when you visit our gold mine. See the Crisson Gold Mine Web Site Consolidated Gold Mines The Consolidated Gold Mines and gold processing mill, built in the early 1900's, was the largest gold mining operation east of the Mississippi River. Most of the mill buildings are gone but the tunnels deep below in gold bearing rock still remain. Tours are conducted daily. Your tour guides are actual miners who are open to questions during your tour of underground mine tunnels. The Consolidated Gold Mines are located about one-half mile from the Dahlonega Square. Call them for information at 706-864-8473. Visit the Consolidated Gold Mines Web Site When you visit, you will be taken on an underground tour of the gold mine by our friendly, knowledgeable staff. Consolidated Gold Mine in Dahlonega was the site of America’s first gold rush. After the tour you will do some gold panning, and gem grubbing. Your gold mine tour guides are friendly and can answer any questions you have about hard rock mining and the excavation period in which approximately 4,000 tons of dirt, debris and ore were removed from the tunnel system. The guides are open to questions and welcome interaction during the 40-45 minute tour. The mines remain at a comfortable 60 degrees year round. A GREAT gold mine adventure! Gold Fever Package Experience Gold Fever in Dahlonega! The Gold Fever Package offers discounted tickets to local gold attractions where you can learn about the history of the Dahlonega Gold Rush, explore an underground gold mine, and try your hand at panning for gold yourself! Purchase a Gold Fever Package and Enjoy One Admission to Each: Subject to change without notice. Dahlonega Gold Museum - Includes 17 minute high-definition film Consolidated Gold Mine - One 45-minute tour Crisson Gold Mine - One pan of ore for gold panning - One 2 gallon bucket of ore for gem stone grubbin' - One glass vial to hold your gold - One admission to a tour of Georgia's only working 126-year old stamp mill at Crisson Gold Mine Prices: Subject to change without notice. Adults (Age 13 and Over) $22.00 per person (Save $2.50 off normal retail prices) Children (Age 12 and Under) $17.00 per person (Save $2.00 off normal retail prices) Purchase: Purchase yours today at the: Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Welcome Center Located on the Historic Dahlonega Square 13 South Park Street, Dahlonega, GA 30533 (706) 864-3513

Dahlonega Heritage Days Celebration Sept. 19 & 20

Dahlonega Heritage Days Celebration Saturday, September 19, to Sunday, September 20, 2009 The Dahlonega Merchants Association is introducing our Annual “Heritage Days Celebration” in which Dahlonega will be celebrating our 175th Birthday this year. Heritage Days of Dahlonega will be held the third weekend in September, 18-20th, 2009. The “Heritage Days Celebration” is going to be in conjunction with festivities arranged by the City, County, Chamber of Commerce, the State of Georgia, and historians familiar with the history of Dahlonega. Itis an honor to be able to offer a new festival for antique lovers, and share the celebration with so many entities. As a result, it is felt that this is going to be a wonderful kick-off for the new annual event. Initial activities planned for this event are inspired by events that actually took place in Dahlonega in the 1830-1880’s. Dahlonega, Georgia is the site of the first major American Gold Rush, and has a very rich history. One chapter of Dalonega's story is that women weren’t allowed in the Courthouse until 1889. For over 50 years, the judge would travel by carriage into Dahlonega for “Court Week.” Prisoners were held at the Olde Jail, which has been preserved as a Historical Marker and is open to the public for tours. During Court Week, they would be brought to the Courthouse in the middle of the town Square. Merchants, farmers, families, interested parties and more would come to town for Court Week, and there would be festivities planned throughout the Square for the women and people waiting for their time in Court. The atmosphere was festive and communal, with friends and family traveling from all over North Georgia to come for Court Week. The Dahlonega Gold Museum will be participating with special events as well. In 1849, Dr. Matthew Stephenson stood on the Portal upstairs at the Courthouse that is still standing today. The Gold Rush in California had begun, and miners from Dahlonega were leaving this community and heading out West to continue their search for gold. Dr. Stephenson begged the miners to stay here, stating that there was still “gold in them thar hills!” while pointing towards Crown Mountain and the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Prospecting had become difficult in Dahlonega, after a 50 year stretch of people building their lives here on dreams of striking it rich. Contrary to what many Westerner’s may think, Mark Twain was inspired by the speech given in Dahlonega, Georgia. This event will be re-enacted as part of the events of the weekend. Because of the depth of this celebration, The Merchants Association is limiting booths in the Antiques area of the celebration to quality, authentic antiques, preferably from the period between 1800-1900. An emphasis should be placed on 1800-1900, and nothing newer than the 1940s will be considered appropriate for your actual booth. This will be a juried entry festival. In addition, The Merchants Association will be using all of its resources on a local, state and National level to promote this event. Dahlonega is currently celebrating our new status as one of Main Street City (www.mainstreet.org). Dahlonega's commercial District is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places (http://www.nps.gov/nr/), and most recently Dahlonega has acquired the status of a Preserve America City (http://www.preserveamerica.gov/). Dahlonega is also a National Tree City, designated by the Arbor Day Foundation. Dahlonega is home to North Georgia College and State University, and classes will be in full session, so The Merchants Association will be working with the university to make sure students and faculty are participating as well. Everyone is working diligently to have as many participants and visitors as possible this weekend, so the sponsors and participants will receive great exposure. With all of these designations, as well as Dahlonega’s festival rich annual schedule, The Merchants Association is sure this event will be well received by the entire Southeastern United States. As a result of the magnitude of this celebration, The Merchants Association is asking that the merchants, townspeople, antique dealers, volunteers and other participants dress in period clothing from the 1800s. There are several seamstresses and historians who will be happy to assist you in planning for this, and we encourage you to have fun with a little research and come dressed for our new “Dahlonega Heritage Days Celebration!” Please see www.Dahlonegamerchants.org for more information. They will be updating the site as more information becomes available.