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Georgia’s Union County

Around the Blue Ridge Mountain range in the Union County is located Blairsville. Blairsville is located closer to the Cherokee County border in Georgia. This area is also home to the Chattahoochee national forest. This area was founder after signing a treaty with the Cherokee Tribe in 1832.

The Union County faces some very distinct weather with temperatures that range between 69.3 to 48.5 degrees. The area faces 52 inches of abundant rainfall. This region also gets a good amount of snow that covers the Blue Ridge mountain range and makes Blairsville more beautiful to visit. The town of Blairsville has somewhere around 700 people. Blairsville is the capital of Union County. This area is prospected heavily from the discovery of gold in this region and was a major factor in the development of the town. The town today is known for its clean air, low crime rate, scenery, friendliness and its bustling economy which all play a major part in attracting thousands of visitors each year to the town and much more to the Chattahoochee National Forest. The town also attracts new residents each year who make this as their permanent home. The most famous attraction of this region is the Blairsville Historic courthouse that was erected in 1899. This was restored recently by the Union County Historical Society. The town is also close to the Brasstown Bald Mountain that is known to be the highest mountain in Georgia. At the top of the mountain is located the observation tower and a picnic area that brings people to this place from all over America. The town along with its many other natural attractions also includes the Lake Nottely that attracts skiers, fishermen and jet skiers. Every year a festival known as the BlueGrass festival is held by the Union County Historical Society that attracts youngsters from all over America to performances by local as well as some major international performers. It is listed among Americas best festivals and is on the list of the festivals that the concert going crowd look forward to throughout the year.

New Visitor Center Unveiled at Cherokee County

A new History Museum and Visitors Center was unveiled on Cherokee County, GA on February 5th Saturday. The new center is located on the 100 North street, Canton, GA in the historic courthouse. The center was hosted by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce.

The center will feature the display of the Cherokees tribe that occupied this are before their removal from here. The center is located in the first floor of the Marble courthouse. The museum is open from Wednesday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The museum has become popular among school going children.

The center does a really good job or outlining the history of the area in the displays that it has. The home work done prior to setting up this museum has been a daunting task for the museum authorities who only numbered 2.

The Cherokee County was inhabited for thousands of years by the prestigious Cherokee Tribe and other native Americans bore their forced exit in 1830. The land along the Etowah River, was inhabited by Cherokees and Creeks whose profession was fishing, hunting and farming. Around the 1755 a battle between the Creeks and Cherokees was fought which was won by the Cherokee. The Creeks were forced out of the land through the Chattahoochee River. Cherokees sided with the French and British troops in various wars which reduced their numbers along with small pox and failed treaties were the reasons for further population decline. In the 1789-1833 a number of policies by the central governments were passed to force the Indians to live in a civilized manner. They began to become over dependent on farming for their livelihood. They also began to gain wealth and could afford themselves to buy slaves. These Cherokee tribes were in time forced by the federal governments to give up their lands. The discovery of gold in Northern Georgia attracted gold rushers into the county which further pushed the Cherokees away from here. Cherokees have now joined the list of Indian tribes like the Seminoles who obtain special rights from the government and enjoy special privileges.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Cherokee

Cherokee County Blasted by Snow

Cherokee County has been hit by a wave of snow storm that are making accidents the order of the day. The roads are covered with a thin sheet of ice that is making travelling unmanageable for everyone and tourists have completely stopped.
This is a part of the storm that has hit two thirds of America and is putting normal life haywire. The met department predicts more snow in the coming days and is asking people to stay prepared with fuel and other commodities in case power and roads are cut. There is an eighty percent chance o f precipitation with freezing rain and temperatures below zero degrees. The temperatures are set to be around 39 degrees in the day with a low of 20 degrees at night. Sunday although will come with a bit of sunshine with temperatures as high as 63 degrees.

The snow is set to return again according to the satellite pictures. The police have set warnings and emergencies on all roads and highways, which has avoided any major accidents till now. The number of tourists is completely dwindled. People are driving sensibly which has made the job of emergency services easier. There have been just 20 accidents were taken place on highway number 69 and 79. These accidents saw no major fatalities or accidents. A few people were stuck in the snow with broken down cars that had kept the AAA services on their feet at all times. There were 16 accidents on the streets of Jacksonville that too with no major fatalities or injuries. There were a few accidents that involved only one vehicle with no major injuries. Many smaller accidents went unreported with any complaints to the authorities. There were many complaints of water cuts, because of frozen pipelines and burst pipes. The water department was kept busy because of this. The electricity was temporarily cut off in a few areas where fallen power lines were being serviced.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Snow, Winter storm

Lighthouses in North Carolina

Image via Wikipedia

The eastern coastline has been quite dangerous for incoming ships over the years, so dangerous in fact, that’s the coastline in North Carolina has been dubbed the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” As such, there have been eight unique lighthouses constructed on the shores in North Carolina, all of which provide photo opportunities, as well as safe fun for you and your family while you’re vacationing in North Carolina.

The lighthouses have been a vital instrument in guiding ships safely to port for over two centuries. The lighthouses are approximately forty miles from each other, making it possible to see more than one in a day. The lighthouses are as follows:

Oak Island Lighthouse, built in 1958, is not open for public viewing.
Bodie Island Lighthouse is located near Whalebone Junction and is not open to the public, though there is a visitor’s center.
Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is the newest of the lighthouses. It was built in 2004 and is home to a museum about the maritime history of Roanoke.
Old Baldy, is located on Bald Head Island and was built in 1878, making it the state’s oldest lighthouse. Take a tour and check out the observation deck at the top.
The Cape Hatterras Lighthouse is 208 feet tall and was constructed in 1870. The structure was moved to its current location back in 1999.
The Ocracoke Lighthouse was built in 1823, making the oldest lighthouse that is constantly used on the eastern coastline. This location is not open to the public for tours.
The Cape Lookout Lighthouse is one of the most popular lighthouses in North Carolina. It was built in 1812 and is decorated in an unusual diamond pattern. It is still in use today.

Some of the lighthouses are not open for tours, but they still present opportunities for some great pictures.

Filed Under: Entertainment, News Tagged With: Lighthouse, North Carolina

Catching History at the Old Salem Museum and Gardens

History comes alive at the Old Salem Museum and Gardens in North Carolina, where you and your family can spend the day learning about the life of the early colonials. There are a variety of hands-on activities available for people of all ages and a number of special events throughout the year that you can enjoy as well.

Museums and grounds are composed of a group of original buildings from the colonial period. Within each one there are various tradesmen doing their work in the traditional manner. As you travel through and learn about each one, you get to experience life firsthand in a colonial village from the mid-1700s. You’ll be exposed to topics from the times such as religious beliefs, traditions, segregation, politics and the wars that went on during this period.

For example, during the holidays, you can experience a simple and traditional holiday season. The grounds are decorated in colonial style and traditional baked goods are produced at the museum bakery. The festivities run from Thanksgiving through New Year’s, where you can take part in storytelling or a candlelight tour. During the candlelight walk, the museum recommends that you wear warm clothing and that you will have to stand for long periods of time in the cold.

Most of the buildings are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM and Sunday from 1 PM to 4:30 PM. The remainder of the buildings are open on a rotation schedule. The buildings regularly open include the Market Fire Engine House, Single Brothers’ House, T. Vogler Gun Shop and the Salem Tavern. The other buildings include a print shop, two private residences, St. Philips and the Boys’ School. At the visitor center, you can get the necessary brochures and information to help you navigate to the area. The Old Salem Museum and Gardens are an excellent family day out.

Filed Under: General, News Tagged With: North Carolina, Salem Tavern, Single Brothers' House

A Touch of History at Plymouth, North Carolina

Plymouth, North Carolina is a charming coastal town brimming with outdoor opportunities and history that will fascinate you. Throughout the area, museums, special events, outdoor hot spots and just plain fun await the visitor that chooses to stop in town for a day or a week.

Outdoor enthusiasts can head out to the woods and hills for a great hunting experience. Hunters can go after deer, bear and various small game in the wild. You can also go canoeing up the river and take part in platform camping, a new way to see the wild. Bird lovers can watch numerous species of birds throughout the area. The Rail Switch Nature Trail runs for .3 miles next to the river and has a boardwalk along with three decks for great observing of wildlife. You can take in both wooded areas and marshland that extends to the edge of the downtown area.

Conaby Creek is the hot spot for canoeing enthusiasts. As you travel down the water, you can take in the sights of bald eagles, ducks and many other species of birds. There are spots to camp along the creek, which are available with a reservation. If you plan to hunt or fish in the area, you will need to know the specific seasons and licensing requirements.

The North Carolina Forest Festival, Roanoke River Lighthouse, Wooden Boat Show and various fishing tournaments are just some of the special events that you and your family can get involved in. Your family can also stroll through one of a number of museums in the area. Plymouth, North Carolina is packed to the brim with fascinating history, outdoor sights and stories that you will want to explore. It is well worth your while to make this spot a must do on your traveling stops list.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: North Carolina, Plymouth North Carolina, Roanoke River