Dahlonega, Georgia
12/19/2011
“Dahlonega” is Cherokee for “precious yellow” and the town was the site of America’s first gold rush – some 20 years before the “precious yellow” would be discovered in California. The gold deposits dried up, but the town is still here as a reminder of their place as a footnote in American history.
The workers at the Lumpkin County Court House-turned-gold museum seemed especially good humored about hanging on to the not famous gold rush and their unpronounceable town name. Being “not famous” famous has its perks. The town square seemed upscale, unspoiled, and a genuinely nice place to live. The people seem proud of their unique heritage – certainly a large percentage must be the descendants of those wannabe failed prospectors who never got rich, but built a town instead. They’re happy to share their story with tourists, but they’re not going to pander to us.
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