Blairsville is located in Union County, only 20 minutes from Lake Chatuge. The lovely community boast annual events such as the Sorghum Festival. This is a remarkable event where area "Ole Timers" come together and showcase the fruits of their labors. Grown in their own fields, these locals raise their own sugar cane, cook their cane and make the um um good ole favorite, Sorghum. This is a syrup that is much sweeter than honey, similar to maple syrup, yet RICH in flavor. Many people, including our Web Master, cooks with fresh Sorghum, making pies, cakes and other pasteries.

Blairsville is the county seat of Union County. With approximately 750 people living in town, Union County as a whole comprises a total of 21,000 people, who call Union County their home. Many of these people started out as part time residents, but later discovered the uniqueness of our community and chose to call Union County home.

Our little community has all the needs of city life, less the traffic and pollution issues associated with living in a large city. Our locals find that if they need a fresh brew of coffee, they just run over to the local Java service station and get that caffeine hit. Some like the double latte's and some like it not so stiff. If you like a fresh donut, you can take your pick of either plain, jelly filled, chocolate or cream filled.

The courthouse is on the Historical Registry, dating back to the late 1800's. This beautiful building is located on the square of downtown Blairsville. While driving through downtown, take a moment to walk around this beautiful building and you will see the craftsmanship these builders put into our iconic community.

This beautiful mountain lake is surrounded by the high peaks of the mountains of north Georgia and western North Carolina. At a level of 1920 feet above sea level, Lake Chatuge is considered to be one of the highest lakes in the south. Lake Chatuge is a Reservoir for the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) and was built for production of electricity.

The lake offers about 128 miles of shorline, including the islands within the lake boundary. Known as a boaters paradise, Lake Chatuge is the perfect place for skiing, fishing, jet-skiing, tubing and more. With the marina's located on the western side of the lake, one can rent pontoon boats and jet-ski's for a day of family fun and adventure.

The water is an aqua-blue due to the clean and clear high mountain streams, creeks and the Hiawassee River, which is the main contributary to the lake. Located in the deep wooded area of Towns county, the Hiawassee River starts way up in the mountains from a little brook, and as it meanders through the valley's, the pastures and farm lands, other creeks join creating the most scenic river in the north Georgia area.

This lake offers some of the most beautiful homes and other real estate. The homes dotting the shoreline of Lake Chatuge are family heirlooms, of which, families meet every summer for a week or two of pure rest and relaxation. These homes, of which some are for sale, are the perfect investment for either full time living or a second home. The kids will love the area, the entertainment and exciting trails tracing the shoreline of Lake Chatuge.

Chatuge Dam is a flood control and hydroelectric dam on the Hiwassee River in Clay County, in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The dam is the uppermost of three dams on the river owned and operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority, which built the dam in the early 1940s for flood storage and to provide flow regulation at Hiwassee Dam further downstream. The dam impounds the 7,000-acre (2,800 ha) Chatuge Lake, which straddles the North Carolina-Georgia state line. While originally built solely for flood storage, a generator installed at Chatuge in the 1950s gives the dam a small hydroelectric output.

Chatuge Dam is named for an 18th-century Cherokee village once situated near the dam site. Chatuge Dam is an earth-and-rock dam 144 feet (44 m) high and 2,850 feet (870 m) long, and has a generating capacity of 10,000 kilowatts. The dam's concrete overflow "ski-jump" spillway consists of 50 bays with a combined discharge of 11,500 cubic feet per second. Chatuge Lake has a flood storage capacity of 62,619 acre feet (77,239,000 m3) and 132 miles (212 km) of shoreline. Water passes Chatuge Dam via the dam's intake tower (connected to the dam by a footbridge), from which a steel conduit carries the water under the dam and empties it downstream.

Various private entities recognized the hydroelectric potential of the Hiwassee in the early 1900s, although plans for dams were typically focused further downstream from the Chatuge site. After taking control of flood control operations in the valley in the 1930s, the Tennessee Valley Authority built Hiwassee Dam and carried out an extensive survey of the river (the waters of which were a major contributor to flooding in Chattanooga) in which they identified the Chatuge site. The outbreak of World War II in Europe brought an emergency demand for electricity, mainly to power aluminum production in East Tennessee, and TVA offered to meet this demand by building a series of dams on the Hiwassee and several other Tennessee River tributaries. The Chatuge Dam project (originally called the Hayesville project), along with several other dam projects, was authorized July 16, 1941. Work on the dam began the following day.

Chatuge Dam was completed and its gates closed on February 12, 1942. The cost of the whole project was just over $9 million. For most of its early years, Chatuge was operated as a flood storage unit in conjunction with nearby Nottely Dam (which has an almost identical design) to regulate water flow at Hiwassee Dam 45 miles (72 km) downstream. A small generator was installed at Chatuge in 1954.

Nottely Reservoir is in north Georgia on the southeastern edge of the Tennessee River watershed, amid the mountains and valleys of the Chattahoochee National Forest.

The reservoir features a beach and camping area and is a popular place for viewing wildlife. Nottely Reservoir serves a number of purposes other than recreation, including flood damage reduction and power generation.

Of all the mountain lakes, Nottely Lake is the smallest of them all.

Take a deep breath and relax…
Surround yourself with beauty, relaxation and natural fun in Georgia’s Blue Ridge, only 90 miles north of Atlanta via I-575 and Hwy 515, but a million miles away from the traffic, stress and anxiety of the city. With 106,000 acres located in the Chattahoochee National Forest, Blue Ridge is definitely the cure for whatever ails you. Rent a cozy cabin or a luxury mountain home, or stay in a bed & breakfast inn or hotel -- and simply relax.

Enjoy Mother Nature at her best…
Renew your spirit on a day hiking to nearby waterfalls or horseback riding on forested trails in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Bring the family and discover the thrill of an Ocoee River whitewater rafting adventure or a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Pick strawberries or blueberries at Mercier's, a 65 year old family orchard. Catch a trout on the tailwaters of the Toccoa River or a clear mountain stream; Blue Ridge is the Trout Fishing Capital of Georgia.

Georgia's Blue Ridge and Fannin County offer more dining experiences than ever, from gourmet to traditional Southern cuisine. There are some things you just have to eat when you come to the mountains, however, including local mountain trout, barbeque and Brunswick Stew, grits and homemade biscuits. Don't forget to try out fried apple pies, apple bread, apple butter and naturally, apple cider.

You'll find fine dining in Downtown Blue Ridge and on the banks of the Toccoa River at Toccoa Riverside Restaurant. Some of the finest food in the mountains can be found in Downtown Blue Ridge, where new gourmet restaurants like Harvest on Main, Christy Lee's Courtyard Grille and Blue Ridge Brewery add flavor to traditional favorite spots like Serenity Garden, Victorian House (now VH Blue Orleans Bistro) and Danielle's. On the outskirts of Blue Ridge, Cucina Rustica sets a new standard for fine Italian dining in the mountains, and a also offers a great casual choice at Cucina Pizzeria next door.

For breakfast, brunch or lunch, try L & L Beanery in downtown Blue Ridge, Sisters Restaurant or the Bumblebee Cafe in Blue Ridge. Don't miss lunch at Angelina's Italian Delicatessen, Blue Ridge Barbeque, Mercier Orchards or Sue's, for the best hamburger in Blue Ridge. And for traditional Southern fare, you can't beat The Village Restaurant and Pete's Place, on Highway 515 at Cohutta General Store.

Some folks prefer to kick back and relax in the cabin with a romantic picnic supper from some fantastic gourmet catering shops. Or buy some homegrown tomatoes at a roadside stand and make tomato sandwiches for lunch! In any event -- eating is a treat in the Georgia mountains. It's part of the trip!

This quaint little community has a history almost as long as the state of Georgia has been a state. When it was originally founded, it was named "McTyeire", after Bishop Holland McTyeire. Later on, the community was renamed to Young Harris, named after Young G. Harris. The College was also renamed from McTyeire Institute to the current name today, Young Harris Colledge in 1895.

With a surrounding view of the mountains, this little valley offers it residents so much. With Brasstown Creek flowing through the heart of the valley, many residents take advantage of the cold water and go trout fishing on its inviting, meandering waterway. The local eqestrian center lends itself to those who like horse back riding. With endless trails surrounding the community, you can enjoy a full day of riding, bird watching, wildlife observation and a picnic on the beautiful Brasstown Creek.

Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa. Information provided courtesy of Brasstown sort Picture-book spring times, breezy mountain summers, colorful autumns and mild winters mean there is always something fun to do at Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa.

Resort amenities beckon visitors to explore their beautiful surroundings. Sporting diversion abound on our 503 acres including golf, tennis, stream or pond fishing, outdoor and indoor heated swimming pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center and over 9 miles of interpretive hiking trails.

Outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers will also enjoy nearby rock climbing, more hiking trails including the Appalachian Trail, white water and tube rafting, kayaking, guided lake tours, canoeing, mountain biking, horseback trail riding, bird watching, and botany excursions.

and Spa

Equani Spa
Nestled within the majestic beauty of Brasstown Valley, the Equani Spa offers a true sanctuary from the stress of the urban life. Infusing the spirit of this serene environment into every first-class service, we provide body treatments, facials, soothing massages and unique rituals indigenous to the Cherokee people, designed to stimulate and refresh the mind, body and soul.

Everything about the Equani Spa reflects the spirit of the land and the people who originally sought its healing properties.

With the picturesque Brasstown Valley serving as the ideal backdrop, the Equani Spa surrounds its guests in a lodge-style motif. Enjoy natural timber furnishings, Cherokee hand-crafted decorative elements, custom millwork, fireplaces and a variety of peaceful treatment rooms. Unique spa rituals and treatments offered by our expert staff promise to leave guests feeling freed from tension and completely revitalized.

Brasstown Golf
Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains just 2 hours north of Atlanta, Brasstown Valley resort offers a spectacular mountain golf experience with scenery as breathtaking as the play is challenging.

The Brasstown Valley Golf Course has been ranked by both Golf Digest and Leading Golf Courses of America as one of the top courses to play in Georgia. Designed by Denis Griffiths, the golf course winds through wildlife preserves, ponds and streams framed in by the mountains. With four sets of tees, all skill levels will be able to enjoy a layout that is maintained to standards you’d expect. It’s great for the corporate outing, couple’s getaway or the guy’s weekend.

The facility also offers full practice facilities, well equipped Prop Shop and customized special tournaments. Golf lessons and clinics are also available though Director of Golf, Steve Phelps, PGA Professional.

The award winning course is managed and maintained by the resort staff, so the guest’s experience here is the first propriety. Great golf is the goal.