Young Harris...the Enchanted Valley in the North Georgia Mountains

Tucked away within the beautiful mountain valley setting of Brasstown Valley is the town of Young Harris, the second largest community in Towns County, Georgia. Quiet, charming, historical and educational are just a few words that epitomize the town of Young Harris.  It’s one of those mountain towns that rolls-up the streets early, and is more tranquil in nature than what most people would expect from a small college town.

The town of Young Harris had its origins in the founding of Young Harris College established in 1886 as the McTyeire Institute, named after a Methodist Bishop Holland McTyeire.

The school got its start when a local circuit riding Methodist minister Artemas Lester, saw the need for residents of the mountains to receive access to a more formal education. Isolated from the outer world during its formative years the college was placed in the hands of a local wealthy resident named Judge Young L.G. Harris. The judge kept the school going during the hard times of its early development.

Today Young Harris College is an outstanding educational center within a stately college setting of both historic and more recent constructions. One historical campus structure cherished by the community is the 1892 Susan B. Harris Memorial Chapel.

A small local community of businesses providing services to the college and local residents began to develop along the roadway next to the school. Around 1894 people started to refer to the slow growing community as the town of Young Harris with the Young Harris College as the centerpiece of the community.

Young Harris College is the home of the theatrical play and the official Georgia state historic drama, “The Reach of Song,” by poet Byron Reece. The play is performed at the college’s Clegg Fine Arts Center.

Another point of interest located on the campus is the O. Wayne Rollins Planetarium, a 109-seat capacity theater under a 40-foot-diameter dome. The planetarium features a GOTO Chronos Space Simulator star projector creating an immersive and engaging image over the entire dome surface. After the presentation at the planetarium ends and the night skies are clear, the Young Harris College Observatory located 1.5 miles from the campus will also be open to visitors.

The modest town of Young Harris offers visitors access to its wealth of history, culture, heritage, a premier resort with a championship golf course, excellent lodging, cultural expressions, fine dining and local eateries, as well as miles and miles of hiking trails and horseback riding. Towering above all those options are Brasstown Bald Wilderness Area, featuring the tallest mountain and highest view in Georgia, overlooking Lake Chatuge, distant mountain ranges and in the valley below the mysterious Track Rock Archaeological Area, a unique Native American archaeological site for history buffs and curiosity hounds.

Located along the roadside behind the college is Cupid Falls at Corn Creek Preserves, an ideal setting and open to the public. Easy to access, Cupid Falls at Corn Creek Preserves is a quiet and tranquil picnic area next to the rushing waters of a waterfall. The preserve also has a native plant garden area, picnic tables and a short hiking trail.

Outside of young as well as seasoned minds being developed at the college, what draw the majority of visitors and new residents to the area is the mountain beauty and a sense of tranquility that the area has to offer.

Georgia Mountain Fairground Festivals and Super Star Concerts

Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee Georgia

The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds are right on beautiful Lake Chatuge in Towns County Georgia. The Fairgrounds sit along the banks and are surrounded by the mountains, including the tallest mountains in Georgia.

The Festivals and Concerts start in early spring with the Rhododendron Festival, followed by the Georgia Mountain Fair, Fall Festival, Super Star Concerts, Georgia's Official State Fiddler's Convention and there are campgrounds right on beautiful shores of Lake Chatuge.

1311 Music Hall Road • Hiawassee, Georgia 30546 • 706.896.4191 • GeorgiaMountainFairgrounds.com

North Georgia Mountain Campground

Campgrounds at Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds

Scattered throughout the beautiful Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds are 207 camping and RV sites that offer modern conveniences such as water, electricity, telephone and internet.  There are 92 sites in the first area and 115 paved sites, open year-round, in the second area. Most sites offer beautiful views of Lake Chatuge, and campers can take advantage of the Fairgrounds' many amenities including a playground, boat ramp, paved playing courts, full time Park Ranger/Security Guard, shaded picnic tables and the Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens.

706-896-4191   •  96 Pavilion Road • Hiawassee GA 30546  •  Campgrounds at Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds

Gardens in Hiawassee Georgia

Hamilton Gardens at Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds

The Gardens are located on a gentle hillside on Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee Georgia. Plants, both native and hybrid, sit quietly along 20 acres of majestic walking trails, spilling over as if to greet you with warmth and color.

The Rhododendron Festival at Hamilton Gardens takes place from mid-April to mid-May, everything will be in bloom, showing colors even an artist dreams about! Hundreds of varieties, and as many as 1,500 rhododendrons and azaleas create a magnificent backdrop for many other equally beautiful plants. Come take a stroll and feel the beauty and peace surrounding you.

Open Every Day 8:00 am - Dusk
96 Pavilion Road  •  Hiawassee, GA 30546  •  706-896-4191  •  Hamilton Gardens

Real Estate North Georgia Mountains

Tim Noland, Realtor® - Buyer's Agent • North Georgia & Western North Carolina

When looking to buy mountain property, you need someone that not only understands the mountains, you need someone that specifically represents you, the buyer. When you choose to work with a Buyer's Agent you are assured that you have an agent that is truly looking for your best interests, someone that will not only find what you are looking for, but someone that will negotiate the best price possible.

10886 Old Hwy 64  West •  Brasstown, NC 28902  •  828.557.1009  •  GreatMtnRealEstate.com

White Water Rafting Mountains

Rafting on the Ocoee River

The Ocoee River is often described as the roller coaster of the southeast. Come experience what has been called the greatest white water center in the world.

Professional river outfitter with over 30 years experience. Our safety record is unsurpassed in the industry. We believe our staff is simply the best in the business. Guides are chosen for their character and enthusiasm for sharing the outdoors with you.

Call today to start your adventure...828-835-3275  •  GreatMtnAdventures.com

---

Rafting on the Nantahala River

Experience this unforgettable whitewater adventure through the gorge. The Nantahala is exciting, and a great time, but not as wild as the Ocoee.  This is a river that you can bring children on as young as seven years old.

Experience the excitement of Patton's Run, the fun and splash of Tumble Dry, the rush and roar of riding Class III Nantahala Falls. For a bigger thrill, try taking one of our Duckies down the river!

Call today to start your adventure...828-835-3275  •  GreatMtnAdventures.com

Zipline Canopy Tours

Zip Line Canopy Tours...Nantahala Gorge • Chattooga Ridge • Asheville • Pigeon River

Whichever course you choose you are sure to enjoy the newest outdoor adventure to hit the US.

All our courses offer a soaring and gliding experience naturally fueled by a gradual drop in elevation. All trips offer fully guided tours with 2 or more Rangers on at least 10 zips, 4 bridges beginning with a training course at each location.

Call today to start your adventure...828-835-3275  •  GreatMtnAdventures.com

 

Guided Fishing Trips

Trout Treks • Bass Fishing • Wade • Pan Fishing • Fly Fishing • Private Trophy Trout Waters • Drift Boat Trips

Great mountain adventures is offering the "Best Fishing" available in the Mountains. We create a fishing trip, designed specifically towards your needs with a professional fishing guide to guide you to make the most of your fishing adventure on the Finest Lakes, Rivers and Streams in the Southern Appalachians!

So much water to choose from and an adventure you'll never forget.

Call today to start your adventure...828-835-3275  •  GreatMountainFishing.com

designed, produced and hosted by

The Blue Ridge Highlander logo, all photography, design, graphics, artwork, writing, digital images, etc are the Copyright © of C. Wayne Dukes and Sherry Bell Dukes, 1996 to current day, except where otherwise stated. All rights reserved, reproduction, downloading, and/or duplication of any sort is strictly prohibited, all violations will be prosecuted. Legal Policy.  If you have any questions, or comments, regarding this site, e-mail the Highlander.