Town History Discussion
Blue Ridge is approximately a 90-minute drive north of Atlanta, GA by way of I-575 North or GA 400 North. GPS: N 34 degrees 51.941′ W084 degrees 19.513′.
Known as “The Gateway to the Mountains”, the transition from the piedmont is quite dramatic and obvious as the driver is greeted by the first of the North Georgia Mountains, and there’s the quaint railroad town of Blue Ridge, right around the corner. The rail runs right through the middle of town and is used by local logging and log home companies, as well as the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. The views here are among the best in the state of Georgia.
The town of Blue Ridge, Georgia, first known as Allewtown, was incorporated in 1887 after the construction of the Marietta and North georgia Railroad. Blue Ridge was most aptly named for the blue haze which engulfs the surrounding North Georgia Mountains. Blue Ridge is approximately 80 miles north of Atlanta, Georgia.
Fannin County was created from Gilmer and Union counties on Jan. 21, 1854 by an act of the General Assembly. Georgia’s 107th county was named for Col. James Fannin (1804-1836), a Georgian who fought in the War for Texas Independence and was killed at Goliad.
The Cherokee Indians once settled along the banks of the Blue Ridge’s Toccoa River, downstream of what is now Lake Blue Ridge. The remains of a rock wall built in a V-shape across the Toccoa River are still clearly visible. Indian fishermen would stand at the center of the V where a hole in the wall carried the current and the fish into the their waiting hands. A few miles downstream, the American settlers’ copy of the fishing wall still exists as well. Both of these formations can be viewed from the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway’s Excursion Trip to Copperhill, Tennessee.
Fannin County, founded in 1854, is named in honor of war hero James Walker Fannin. In the War for Texas Independence, Fannin honorably surrendered his 400-man regiment to avoid an imminent massacre, and Fannin and many of his men were summarily executed in cold blood on March 27, 1836.
Blue Ridge GA is a great secret in life. I appreciate all that the area has to offer and see coming from FL and putting up with the growth & crowding anymore. I look forward to having a place there in the near future. Thanks for the web cams, it helps with something to look forward too when life is dealing you rough times.
JAK
My husband and I have visited your lovely town for the past two summers and have fallen in love with the peace and quiet of the mountains and of your town. We hope to find a house there in the next two years for a retirement home, and hope you will keep the small town atmosphere and not let in all of the box stores and touristy business.
We are looking forward to the quietness and politeness of the area and people in Blue Ridge. We love being able to hear the beauty of the mountains and NOT people’s car stereos booming vulgar “music”.
Tina M
Fannin County named for a LOSER!
Apparently, the county I live in is named for a Civil War and Texas war for independence loser! A county in Georgia and another in Texas are named for James Walker Fannin. Apparently, the only thing he managed to accomplish was to be murdered March 27, 1836 during the Battle of Coleto in the War for Texas Independence.
His birth in Georgia was scandalous, because his mother was not married to his father. He was taken in by his grandfather.
Although he did join West Point, he resigned due to poor grades, absences and tardiness. LOSER
In 1832, he illegally imported slaves to the U.S. LOSER
In 1834, he settled at Velasco, which was formerly located in Mexico. While traveling to New Orleans to raise money for the Texas cause, he was arrested for a bad debt. Apparently, he didn’t even make money enslaving others. LOSER
Sam Houston commissioned him as a colonel in 1835, but Fannin was unable to discipline the volunteers in his charge. His soldiers thought he was aloof, and he was considered an ineffective commander. LOSER
He attempted to aid the fighters at the Alamo, but the mission was a failure, with the wagons breaking down, the oxen wandering off and some troops left barefooted. LOSER
In 1836, Fannin was attacked by the Mexican General Urrea and was forced to retreat. Fannin only traveled six miles before stopping to water the animals, was attacked and surrendered. LOSER
He and most of the poor soldiers that were forced to follow this buffoon were shot before a firing squad. LOSER
lisa..to what end do these facts result..we are fannin county, not whom ever it was named after…your comments? loser??
happy new year to fannin county-gateway to the mountains…
Hi I Am Looking For Some Info On Some Relatives from there.
A Pose And Missiouri Cornett.It would be a great help to find a location or church where they are buried or any living relatives in that area.I Would appreciate any help in this matter…Thanks!
I was wondering the same thing….sure was a long posting; lots of time and energy just to post a lot of negative things that none of us can do anything about if any of it is true ..and I’m not going to waste my time researching if it is or is not true as it doesn’t matter to me. The main thing that I like to focus on is all the POSITIVE things about the area there, and how much I look forward to becoming a part of the positives when I can finally move there.
Does anyone know about the union soldier killed some where off of Aska Rd.? As I understand it he is also buried just the other side of the river. The same union soldiers who supposedly shot and killed my g-grandfather, shot one of their own as a deserter. My g-grandfather was working in the field when he was shot and killed. He was not a soldier.
Quick ? to LIsa. What cranked your tractor about the name of our county?
You go Jim. Your use of the word loser was so very interesting and appropriate.
Sidney
Sidney, I discovered a grave car-camping over there in my high school days. Mother Nature called and there it was. As I recall, it was a stacked-stone, mostly above-ground grave with a plain, stone headstone with a guy’s name and the year 1865 inscribed on it. I’ve always wondered if it was war-related because of the year. It’s been well over 20-years, but I think I could find it if the area hasn’t been disturbed.
The one I’m talking about was found after taking a left after crossing Shallowford Bridge, then it’s way down off the right side of the road (was dirt in those days, might still be) up in the woods a hundred yards or so…
Does anyone have any information regarding the Hughes family in Blue Ridge during the late 1800’s? My great grandmother , Elizabeth Hughes Loggins, was from Blue Ridge. Her family was in the lumber business . She was born sometime around 1850-1856, and died in 1902. If you can help, I would appreciate it
To all those overly sensitive folks who think that any negative comment about the county personally reflects on them, get over it. I like Fannin County. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I also like the truth. Sometimes, the two aren’t comfortable together here in Fannin County.
I find it absolutely hilarious that none of the official histories say anything negative about Fannin. Considering that Fannin was such a loser, maybe we should consider changing the name of the county.
Maybe we should rename the county for Col. George Chicken, who was one of the first English explorers in this area. Perhaps William Bartram, another early explorer, should be honored.
Maybe we should evoke the area’s Cherokee heritage by calling it the Cherokee words for “The Enchanted Land,” if that’s not already taken.
Don’t you believe this county deserves better than being named after a loser?
Hey, does anyone know where I can find some trail trees? I’d like to take some photos of them.
In case you don’t know (and I didn’t know until the kind folks at Trail Tree Properties explained what they are to a friend of mine), the Native Americans would bend saplings to “point” to villages or sacred spots. As the saplings grew into trees, they would keep the bend.
You can see some photos at http://www.trailtree.com/Tree.htm, but I’d really like to experience them in person.
I would appreciate help of the residents of Blue Ridge, GA. I love the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and sure I would enjoy Georgia if anything like NC. I am looking for the grave side of a ggg grandfather, William James Andrew Singleton, might be under James Singleton, who died in 1861 and is said to be buried in Blue Ridge, Ga. Can someone help or give me some information? Contact me at willeenyoung@aol.com. Thank you!
Willeen,
I have checked the Stanley Church grave yard for info about, James Singleton, I did not find a James but I did find a J. Scott 12/31/1950-1/13/1970 . Sad to say that is all I was able to find. Sorry I couldn’t help you more. You might want to contact Shirley L. Brindle @ 7168 Hwy 225 S. Chatsworth, Ga. 30705-6410. She has been collecting a lot of info about people from Blue Ridge .
Good luck on your search
Take care and GOD bless
Sidney
Kip,
I know it has been some time since your responce to my ? about the soldier, as I understand it was my family who buried this soldier. The reason the grave is so shallow is there were no men to help bury him so my gg grand mother could not dig very deep. Besides he was already decomposing when they found him. That is the story I was told about him. Do you have more info?
Thanks
Take care and GOD bless
Sid
Katie,
You too may want to check with Shirley. Her address is on my previous post. I did find a reference to Hughes born 1834 died 9/6/1864.
Good luck
Take care and GOD bless
Sidney
My mother’s people the Davenports were all from Blue Ridge and some still live there. My mother is buried at Big Creek Church Cemetery: Lois V. Davenport. My question is about the William Buchanan family. He would have lived around 1870’s to 1940’s to 1950’s. Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. My email address is BonRay@neo.rr.com.
Thank you and God bless.
Bonnie