This tourist railway normally runs a between Blue Ridge, McCaysville, Georgia/Coppherhill, Tennessee, following the Toccoa River for much of he route. I’ve not taken a trip with them (yet) but have heard great things about the pace, the views, and the vintage cars (you can choose from air-conditioned or open-air). Keep the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway in mind if you’re traveling to the mountains.
The beautifully restored Louisville & Nashville depot is an anchor of downtown redevelopment in Blue Ridge, and is now the jumping off point for the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.
National Register of Historic Places
Downtown Blue Ridge is a happening place. Nearly all the downtown storefronts are busy and many are being or have been refurbished. There’s obviously a good community spirit here. I hope locals will work toward getting their business district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It definitely deserves such a designation.
This old Rexall Drugs was one of the busiest places in town the day I was there. It’s always great to see an independent retailer doing so well.
This is one of numerous older buildings in downtown Blue Ridge that have been repurposed for modern businesses. They do a great job with these structures.
This great commercial structure is presently occupied by Coldwell Banker. Donna Trotter Brumby writes that it was originally three stories.
This former bank has been beautifully restored and is now home to a cafe known as, what else, The Vault.
According to the Swan Drive-In website, which goes into much greater detail on the history of this landmark, Jack Jones, Sr., and W. H. Tilley, Jr. built the Rialto in 1955 to accommodate ever-growing crowds of moviegoers in Blue Ridge. It’s still open after all these years and remains a popular destination. It’s one of just four remaining drive-in theatres in Georgia.
Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown 