Category Archives: Dahlonega GA

Price Memorial Hall, 1879, Dahlonega

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Perhaps the most iconic symbol of Dahlonega, the gold-clad steeple of Price Memorial Hall represents the University of North Georgia and the history of gold mining in the area. It can be seen from many vistas around the city. The leafing was added in 1973, from gold mined in the surrounding area. As of 2019, it has been given a fresh “coating” of gold.

The property was deeded to the state in 1871. North Georgia College was established in 1873 and when the old U. S. Mint branch burned in 1878, it was replaced by the present structure, which came to be the administration building for the college. In 1934 it was named the Price Memorial Building for William Pierce Price, founder and first president of the board of trustees of North Georgia College [now the University of North Georgia].

National Register of Historic Places

Hansford Hall, 1913, Dahlonega

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I believe this has only recently been renamed Hansford Hall. It was built in 1913; J. F. Moorefield was the architect.

North Georgia College Library, 1939, Dahlonega

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Typical of New Deal architecture, the old North Georgia College (now the University of North Georgia) library was built by the Federal Works Agency and is now used for classrooms, I believe.

Holly Theatre, 1948, Dahlonega

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Like many of Georgia’s historic theatres, the Holly has been restored and still shows movies and serves as a popular performance space.

National Register of Historic Places

Historic Storefronts, Dahlonega

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Dahlonega Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Hall House Hotel, 1881, Dahlonega

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On their website, the Hall House Hotel writes: The Hall House dates back to 1881 and is the second oldest building on Dahlonega’s historic square. Frank Hall originally built the Hall House as both his home and a boarding house. They go on to note that the structure has had numerous uses over the years including apartment house, campus housing and a single-family home. It’s presently home to a restaurant and two art galleries, as well as the hotel. It’s at the center of Dahlonega’s inviting downtown and the only hotel located on the square.

To me, this is one of the nicest examples of  Second Empire architecture in Georgia. The style is relatively uncommon in Georgia, though there are three well-loved Second Empire courthouses (Hancock, Newton, and Walton) and three with Second Empire clock towers (Fayette, Gwinnett, and Washington) in the state.

Dahlonega Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Old Lumpkin County Courthouse, 1836, Dahlonega

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This is the oldest public building in North Georgia and the oldest extant courthouse in Georgia in its original form (the old Government House in Augusta is older, though heavily modified). Even before the courthouse was built, Dahlonega’s prominence was validated by the government, which authorized a branch mint here in 1835. (Gold had been “discovered” in the region in 1828 with a rush of prospectors into the Cherokee Nation, in which Dahlonega was located, following in 1829). Ephraim Clayton employed bricks made from Cane Creek, a mile away, in the construction of the courthouse. A branch of the United States Mint was opened just south of the courthouse in 1838. By 1849, many of Dahlonega’s miners were bound for California and other points west lured by the promise of more abundant gold. After serving as the courthouse for over 125 years, the building was given to the state in 1966 and now serves as the Dahlonega Gold Museum.

National Register of Historic Places