Dahlonega Gold Museum

Before brave hearts and pioneers headed West to California in search of their fortune, they headed South to the Appalachian Mountain foothills where whispers of their exclamatory cries can still be heard today in the Dahlonega Gold Museum.

Twenty years prior to the first major gold strike in California, miners – and wannabe enthusiasts – sought their fortune in and around Dahlonega, Georgia. News spread quickly and soon thousands had flocked to Cherokee Nation land hoping to strike it rich. (The find eventually led to the “Trail of Tears” when the Cherokee people were removed from the land)

History shows that the Spanish first panned gold in North Georgia during the mid-1500’s until they were forced out in the 1700’s. It wasn’t until 1828 that a major push for the valuable material began anew with the advent of plentiful discoveries.

Today, visitors may feel the same excitement and thrill of that adventure within the halls of the Dahlonega Gold Museum. Situated on the town square, the stately building which now houses the museum was first used as the Lumpkin County Courthouse – Georgia’s oldest – in 1836. Ironically, the building itself was made from bricks and mortar dredged from Cane Creek, a gold-rich panning creek. And the payment for the work was finalized in gold bullion. To add to museum’s golden history, President Andrew Jackson established a mint nearby the courthouse, which produced over $6 million coins during its 23-year lifespan.

Visitors may enjoy exhibits such as a set of the coins minted mere blocks away, a nugget weighing more than five ounces, a large hydraulic cannon and nozzle used to blast soil from mountainsides. Beyond artifacts, guests can also view a film on the area’s history, visit the gift shop, and explore some of the courthouse architectural features, including some wooden chapel seats from 1889 and the judge's chambers.

Gold panning and mine tours are located nearby. Group tours and rates are available.
 

- by Christine Foster, Atlanta Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Christine Foster

Christine is a freelance writer currently living in North Atlanta. She has worked as a reporter for numerous newspaper, magazine and online media companies, including the Florida Keys Keynoter and The Sunday Paper in Atlanta. When she's not working Christine enjoys baking and antiquing.