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OUR COMMUNITY - AREA ATTRACTIONS & SIGHT SEEINGFYI Dalton GA Real Estate - Good stuff to know!AREA ATTRACTIONS & SIGHTSEEING _________________________________________________________________ As the "Carpet Capital of the World," Dalton is home to numerous carpet and rug outlets. What once began as a cottage industry is now a multi-billion dollar business. Once you're done shopping, you don't have very far to go to find something to do in Whitfield County, Georgia. Dalton, Whitfield's county seat, was created in 1847 as the land within a mile of the antebellum Western and Atlantic depot. The historic survey marker is around the corner on the right as you enter. Nearby Tunnel Hill is designated as the start of the Atlanta Campaign, as well as one of the first battles, in front of the antebellum railroad tunnel that gave the town its name. Other Civil WarSites abound throughout Whitfield County. You won't have to go far to step on ground once occupied by the Blue or the Gray. Historic Downtown Dalton is alive with revitalization in a newly streetscaped atmosphere of shopping and dining. Geneologists will want to visit Crown Gardens and Archives, home to extensive material on families in the area as well as the Whitfield/Murray County Historical Society. Rail and train viewing fans can see one of the most frequently used routes in the nation. Before railroads, the Civil War, and carpet, Dalton was home to the Cherokee Indians. Nearby historic sites and parks are poignant reminders of the culture that once inhabited this "Enchanted Land." More attractions and sites: Blue and Gray Trail - 800-331-2358 The northwest corner of Georgia, roughly front Chattanooga to the outskirts of Atlanta, was the setting for some of the most dramatic events of the Civil War. The portion of the Blue and Gray Trail in Whitfield County includes 32 markers commutating important Civil War events. Call for more information. __ Blunt House -706-278-0217 Built in 1848 by Ainsworth Blunt, postmaster, religious leader and the first mayor of Dalton , the house is the is the second oldest home in the city. It served as a Union hospital in 1864 and today is listed on the National Regiister of Historic Places. 305 S. Thornton Ave - Tours by appointment only. ¿ Call for more information. The cemetery is the final resting place for 421 Confederate and four un-known Union soldiers. West Hill Cemetery, near Emery Street. Dalton Depot and Trackside Café - 706-278-3160 Built in 1847, the depot served as a Confederate ordinance (weapons supply) during the Civil War and was used by the railroad until 1978. This National Register of Historical Places site is now in use as an upscale restaurant and lounge. 110 Depot St., downtown. Call for more information. Downtown Dalton - 706-278-3332 A Main Street city since 1985 and managed by the Downtown Dalton Development Authority, the downtown area is the result of rebirth with a Growing number of specialty shops and restaurants as well as Dalton Green and Gateway Park. 210 N. Pentz Street ¿ call for more information. Dug Gap Battlefield Park - 706-270-9960 Although outnumbered 10 to one, Confederates successfully held off Union attacts here on May 8, 1864. The 2.5-acre park contains 1,237 feet of Confederate breastworks (a low wall of stone quickly erected as a defense in battle) OPen during daylight hours. West Dug Gap Battle Road call for more information. Gen. Joseph E. Johnson Statue The only outdoor statue of Confederate Gen. Joseph Johnson, who commanded the Army of Tennessee during the Atlanta campaign from December 1863 to July 1864. South Hamilton Street, Dalton. George Disney Memorial Trail Rocky Face Range Trail begins at the Georgia State Patrol Barracks on Hwy 41. The 1.5-mile climb to the top of the ridge is where in 1912 Dalton Boy Scouts found the grave of George Disney, a Confederate soldier who was shot as he sat up yawning one morning in 1864. Hamilton House Museam and Crown Gardens and Archives -706-278-0217 The history museum is located in the oldest brick home in town. It features exhitits devoted to the Dalton textile industry heritage, Civil War materials and artifacts, CherokeeIndian history and collections of Georgia poet Robert Loveman, as well as other local heritage groups. Musem tours by aappointment only - Call for more information. Pinhoti Trail - 706-638-1085 Hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders enjoy this 245 mile trail. Portions of the Pinhoti, which is Cherokee for ¿land of the turkey,¿ are blazed with imprints of turkey feet. In Dalton, the trail is accessible across fron Dug Gap Battle Park. Dug Gap Mountain Road. Prater's Mill - 706-694-6455 A historic gristmill built with slave labor in 1835. The mill is open during The Praters Mill Country Fair, held the second in October. The fair focuses on mountain music, Southern foods, living history exhibits and the handmade crafts and original art of 185 artists and artisans. Craft demonstrations include blacksmithing, spinning, quilting and hand tufting. Georgia Highway 2, one mile east of Georgia Highway 71. Spring Creek Preserve - 706-281-1289 A wetlands reconstruction project sponsored by Dalton Utilities. From the well marked trails, visitors can observe native flora and fauna, which are gradually returning the abandoned farmland its original state. Open daylight hours ¿ Boyles Mill Road. Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel - 706-673-5152 Completed in 1850, this engineering marvel of its time is the oldest railroadtunnel in the Southeast. On May 7 1864, Gen. Sherman occupied Tunnel Hill and set up his headquarters in the nearby Clisby Austin House. Clisby Austin House ¿ Tunnel Hill. Carters Lake - 706-334-2248 Carters Lake which is contained by Carters Dam ¿ the largest earth dam east of the Mississippi river, Carters Dam, built in the 1970;s. Carters Lake which straddles the line between Murray and Gilmer counties, sits in a valley in the Blue Ridge foothills. The lake has miles of shoreline and secluded coves that are ideal for fishing and camping, as well as enough wide-open water for recreational boating and water-sking. A daily use fee of $4 is required for most facilities. Fort Mountain State Park -706-695-2621 The 3,172-acre park atop Fort Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest, near the Cohutta Wilderness area offers many outdoor activities. Beautiful trails await hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. Trails wind through a forest of hickory, oak and other hardwood trees. There is a $2 per vehicle fee for day use. For more information contact the Park office. Chatahoochee National Forest - 706-635-6736 Large parts of western Whitfield County and of eastern Murray County are encompassed by the Chattahoochee National Forest. There are many and varied recreation opportunities in the forest, including hiking, biking, orseback riding, fishing and camping. For more information, contact the Armuchee-Cohutta Ranger District. Chief Vann House - 706-695-2598 The Chief Vann House in Spring Place is the oldest structure still standing in Murray County being built in 1804 by James Vann. It was once the center of The Cherokee Nation until the Trail of Tears in the 1830¿s. The house, a visitor¿s center and a Cherokee cabin is open for tours Tuesday through Saturday 9 a,m. to 5 p.m. , Sunday 2 to 5:30 p.m. Admission is between $2.50 and $4. For more information contact the Vann House. God's Acre - 706-695-2598 God¿s Acre is near the site of the Spring Place Moravian Mission and Springs. This site contains the burial grounds of people believed to be Moravian Missionaries, who were sponsored by Chief James Vann to come to the area in 1801. Their mission was to educate the Cherokees. No admission. Open daylight until dark. Call the Vann House for more information. Wright Hotel - 706-278-0217 The Wright Hotel in Chatsworth was built in 1809 as a spa for visitors coming in the summer to drink the mineral waters, enjoy the cool mountain breezes, an and indulge in home cooking. Admission is by appointment only. For more information, contact the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society. Cohutta Wilderness Area - 706-635-6736 At 37,042 acres, the Cohutta Wilderness is the largest National Forest Wilderness east of the Mississippi River. The area contains 16 hiking trails totaling over 90 miles. Activities include trout fishing, hunting, swimming, picnicking and horse back riding. For more information contact the Armuchee-Cohutta Ranger Disttrict. Lake Conasauga Recreation Area - 706-695-6736 At 3,150 feet above sea level, Conasauga Lake is the highest lake in Georgia located near the summit of Grassy Mountain. This area is rich in plants, birds, wildlife and recreational opportunities. Activities include hiking, back packing, camping, swimming, boating, canoeing and fishing. These areas are open from the middle of April until the end of October. A fee is charged in the family camping areas, no reservations accepted. . For more information contact the Armuchee-Cohutta Ranger Disttrict. _ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CLICK to return to COMMUNITY INDEX
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