Morganton was established circa 1853 and became the seat of the newly established Fannin County in 1854; the first courthouse was built here in 1855. When Blue Ridge was established at the terminus of the Marietta & North Georgia Railroad in 1887, it became increasingly impractical for lawyers and judges to travel to the courthouse in Morganton. The county seat was moved to Blue Ridge in 1895.
Morganton is on the scenic old road (the former US 76) that connects Blue Ridge to Blairsville. Just off-camera to the right is the intersection of this “Old Blue Ridge Highway” with GA 60. This is primo motorcycle territory: One scenic cruising road to the east, one killer twisty road to the south (that offers the bonus of passing thru Suches, home of Two Wheels Only motorcycle resort and a crossing of GA 180.) One of Georgia’s trout hatcheries is several miles down GA 60, and is open to the public.