Tag Archives: Georgia Gold Rush

Shingle House, 1880s, Cherokee County

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The iconic “Shingle House”, so named for its shingle siding, is the last remaining structure related to the Franklin-Creighton Gold Mine near Ball Ground. The mine had its origins circa 1832, when Mary G. Franklin obtained 40 acres along the Etowah River in the Gold Lottery of 1832. It became the Franklin, or Franklin-Creighton Mine circa 1883 and was said to be one of the most productive in the area, until1907, long after other area mines were long exhausted. The structure has reportedly served as a commissary, post office, and boarding house.

The community that grew up around the mine was known as Creighton, and the post office was operational from 1887-1918. The property is part of Gold & Grass Farms today.

Abandoned Gold Mining Tunnel & Machinery, Helen

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White County was an important center of gold mining and this abandoned tunnel and equipment along the Chattahoochee at Helen are remnants of the boom era of the late 19th century.

The Plattsburgh Mining Company of New York was involved in the area, most notably with the England Mine.

Auraria, Georgia

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As the Georgia Historical Commission marker notes: Auraria, (Gold), in 1832 the scene of Georgia’s first gold rush, was named by John C. Calhoun, owner of a nearby mine worked by Calhoun slaves. Auraria and Dahlonega were the two real gold towns in the U.S. before 1849. Between 1829 and 1839 about $20,000,000 in gold was mined in Georgia’s Cherokee country. From Auraria in 1858 the “Russel boys”, led by Green Russell, went west and established another Auraria near the mouth of Cherry Creek that later became Denver Colo. Green Russell uncovered a fabulous lode called Russell Gulch near which was built Central City, Colo., “richest square mile on earth.”

As to the Calhoun Mine, it was indeed owned by the John C. Calhoun, seventh Vice President of the United States.

Woody’s Store, Auraria

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The iconic Woody’s Store, closed since the 1980s, is one of the most photographed landmarks in North Georgia. Please do not park in the driveways of the property, however, as a private residence shares the property.

Central Hallway Cottage, 1845, Auraria

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Like all the structures I’ve shared from Auraria, this is private property. Though it should go without saying, please do not trespass when photographing historic places.

Unidentified House, Auraria

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More than one source, including Wikipedia, identifies this structure as a bank from gold rush days that was later converted into a house. Other sources state that a chimney is all that remains of the bank. I do believe it’s a 19th-century structure. I hope to learn more and will update this post when I do.

Gabled-Ell House, Auraria

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I’m not sure if this is one old house, or a couple that have been joined to make a newer model, but it sure looks nice and fits right in to the Auraria community.

Auraria Community Club

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In case you didn’t already know, Auraria was the sit of the first major gold rush in American history. In 1828. The Auraria Community Club is rightfully proud of this fact.

Auraria Methodist Church, 1840s, Lumpkin County

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From the website of the Auraria Church of the Almighty God, as this historic church is now known: Auraria Church of the Almighty God was first known as Auraria Methodist Church. The first written records date back to 1846. From 1861 to 1873 it was an independent church with no known residential pastor. In 1873 it became a circuit church with several itinerant pastors. Thanks to many old-timers and lots of hard work, the church still stands. The church’s original appearance and many of the old traditions have been preserved as much as possible.

In reading this, I assume the church dates to the 1840s but cannot confirm it at this time.