Stopped in to check out a little piece of history. Runs next to the train tracks were picked up the…read moreguys on their way to the get camp. The place is packed full of history from WWI, WWIi, Korea, and Vietnam. Lot of WWII all donated by families. Uniforms, guns, radios, Walkie-talkies, flags, helmets and much more. They have more than they can put out so they rotate the displays. Highly recommended!

Was a very informative museum with very informative displays. Love the uniforms and weaponsread more

In February of 2017 I hosted a Yelp hiking event to Panther Creek Falls and nearby Toccoa Falls…read more After the hike we stopped @ Shirley's Soul Food in Historic Downtown Toccoa, Georgia for a bite to eat. Ms. Shirley is a wonderful soul dripping with love for her community and customers. It was a later Saturday afternoon after restaurant hours, but thankfully I called her a few weeks prior and she agreed to keep the lights on until we arrived. During our dinner, Ms. Shirley sat with us and talked a little about her mission to help others and a little about the town. It was during that conversation I first discovered legendary singer James Brown started his music career right here in Toccoa, Georgia. That tidbit of information has stuck with me for several years and this year (2022) I decided I would highlight Toccoa in my Black History Review Series. I honestly thought it would be an easy research topic, but it was very difficult to find information about his time here in Toccoa. The city website and visitor video doesn't mention it. No brochure about the town mentioned it and even after touring the History Museum @ the old train station, I only found two pictures with captions mentioning James. The majority of photos & articles on this small display focused on Bobby Byrd, the founder of the Famous Flames to which James was a member. [ JAMES BROWN'S TOCCOA YEARS ] James Joseph Brown was born in Augusta, Georgia May 3, 1933 and left a musical legacy that earned him the titles: "Godfather of Soul", "Mr. Dynamite", and "Soul Brother No. 1". His lyrics & beats were so ahead of their time that it has made him the most sampled artist in music history. It is said other artists have borrowed from his songs more than 7,400 times. So you might understand why I was so COMPLETELY BAFFLED to find little to no information about him anywhere in Toccoa. People younger than 30 that I came across while visiting didn't seem to think he'd ever been to Toccoa when I asked, and only half those over 50 knew of his time here. One lady told me he was a janitor at the local school while another said he mopped floors at a car dealership. So for those of you hungry for information, here is what my research has told me: Bobby Byrd was a member of the 1952 group known as the Gospel Starlighters, who changed their name twice in a 3 year period before settling on "The Famous Flames" in 1955. James Brown joined the group in 1954. He met Bryd while he served time on robbery charges at a youth detention center in Toccoa. He'd already started his own band while in detention. Byrd was around 18 and Brown around 19. James was initially a drummer in the band after his release for good behavior, but soon became lead singer. Their first professional release with James singing lead was "Please, Please, Please" in 1956. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vruy2GRUsV8 Some of James Browns famous dance moves are said to be a reflection of what he saw preachers doing as he grew up going to church, especially when falling down to his knees. Writer James McBride said: "At the time, he was so funky and so hot and so good, and he danced so well... He was like watching a preacher preach without having to get saved to Jesus." AUDIO on James Brown's life (including Toccoa): https://www.krwg.org/arts-life/2016-04-19/the-lonely-side-of-james-brown [ HISTORIC TOCCOA ] Toccoa feels a lot like the town little Forrest Gump used to run through as a child in the movie. It has a very old southern charm and many of the buildings have historic markers on them telling you a little about their past. There is a beautiful old courthouse, an abandoned RC Cola bottling building, a trestle bridge, gorgeous 180' waterfall on the grounds of Toccoa College and a 1939 era Ritz Theatre still hosting live performances. Speaking of performances, on April 18-19 of 2022, The Mulligan Movie (filmed in Toccoa) will premier @ the Ritz theater: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxxbjZ3PTvQ [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] Toccoa has a lot going for it, especially it's quiet charm and friendly people, but I would be remiss if I didn't express my DEEP DEEP DISAPPOINMENT for their lack of attention to James Brown's musical beginnings here AND that his first wife Velma Warren and children remained here all these years until recently. Seems like a crime of historic proportions to not have more attention given to their part of his legacy, but for some reason they almost treat it as a secret. It could be a destination town if you are a hiker, historian, kayaker or visit during one of their many special events throughout the year. 4 stars overall for historical value minus a star for omitting one of their brightest stars. Be sure to have a meal @ Shirley's Soul Food. If you're lucky and she's not busy, maybe she can share a story or two with you! 2022 / 42 #BlackHistorySeries2022

THE TOCCOA HARVEST FESTIVAL!…read more The Toccoa Harvest Festival takes place in downtown Toccoa in Stephens County during the last week of October. It is now in its 40th year. We decided to visit for the first time this year. We headed out before dawn and as the sun came up, we enjoyed the beautiful scenery and change of colors. As per usual, we had planned to get there at least an hour before the start of the actual event which was scheduled to start at 10 am. We actually arrived around 8:30 am and was surprised to see several vendors already set up as well as volunteers providing directions. These small town people don't play! After eating breakfast we set out to view the vendors' wares and to see what was "poppin". My first stop was at the classic car show where I met Kent and his classic blue Chevy truck, (see the photo). `I absolutely love classic vehicles, (especially trucks), so I always have to get the "back story". This truck was purchased approximately four years ago when it was seen on someone's property. Kent had asked about the truck but the man had said that his son was planning on purchasing it. Approximately one month later, Kent saw the truck and stopped by again. At that time he was told that someone else was interested in the car and had stopped by earlier in the day. Kent offered the man cash on the spot and sealed the deal. He then spent the next four years stripping the truck and rebuilding it. All of the work was done in his garage or yard, including the paint. I was blown away to know that he had completed all of the work, (except the welding) himself. He did a phenomenal job because he showed me his book that documented the process. Collectors always have a book to document their restoration process so just ask if you are curious. I really enjoyed talking to this guy! We met another guy who had this sick 1935 International "flower wagon" that was once used to transport flowers to funerals. It too had been totally stripped and restored with a beautiful red interior and custom additions. Incredible! I could have spent hours here but I needed to explore more. There were a variety of vendors selling a variety of items such as candles, holiday décor, homemade soaps, jewelry, toys, hair accessories, art leather goods and more. I ran into my favorite jewelry vendor who I tend to purchase sets from exclusively. She didn't have anything that I don't already own so I ordered a custom piece that I will pick up at the next festival, because we just tend to run in the same circles. I must confess that I am getting a great deal because I am a repeat customer and she wants a pound cake! She is one of the few vendors who actually uses sterling silver and genuine stones while the others will just tell you that those materials are too expensive. I also like her because she does the larger adjustable statements pieces with matching earrings. Enough about my favorites! They had a Christian choir singing in the square, an activity area for children, full service restrooms that didn't include a porta-potty, great food options including Lobster, Mongolian Beef and Thai, carriage rides, baked goods, and probably some things that I just did not get to see. It was a beautiful day for the festival and it all started with a beautiful drive up from Alpharetta and ended with a visit to see the falls. When you visit the festivals, take time to see the landmarks visit the local vendors and spend time in the community. Your visit is always appreciated! By the way, if you like the frequent sound of trains running through a small town, Toccoa is your kind of town!

Toccoa Falls sits deep within the campus of Toccoa Falls College, a private Christian institution…read morefounded in 1907 and spread across 1,100 acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The waterfall drops 186 feet, making it one of the tallest free‑fall waterfalls east of the Mississippi, a height confirmed in the college's own materials and widely cited in public references . On a quiet Sunday morning with off and on rain, we followed the campus road to the visitor parking area and made the short, level walk to the entrance. There is a small admission charge, and while modest, it clearly supports the upkeep of the site, which remains clean, orderly, and well maintained. Inside the gift shop, the two young women (definitely students as they were working on a class paper) working the counter were friendly and quick to point me toward their display of fridge magnets amongst so many other trinkets and mementoes. After paying for admission and the magnet, Mrs. K. and I stepped back outside and followed the path along the creek toward the falls. Even in late winter, with the drizzle coming and going, the setting felt peaceful, the kind of place where the sound of water takes over long before the falls come into view. The waterfall itself is undeniably impressive. The free‑fall drop is higher than American Falls at Niagara, and the roar was loud enough to fill the entire basin even on a rainy morning. We stood for a while, taking in the height, the mist, and the steady power of the water before snapping our pictures and heading back toward the dry Sprinter. As quick stops go, it was exactly right: easy to reach, beautifully maintained, and worth every minute of the detour. [Review 254 of 2026 - 951 in Georgia - 25443 overall]

Visited the beautiful waterfall today! It was a short 3-5 minute walk through the back of the gift…read moreshop. Price is $2 per person and it was worth it. We arrived at 1:05 and they were setting up for a wedding. It wasn't crowded when we first got there, but after about 30 minutes it started to fill up with tourists/visitors. Saturday hours are only 4 hours from noon to 4:00, so keep that in mind.

Overall great hike. A few steep sections but nothing too crazy. Beautiful scenery the whole way…read more Would recommend for anyone looking for a solid outdoor experience.

My partner and I recently visited Clarksville for a spontaneous hiking trip. Panther Creek Trail…read morewas at the very top of our list and we were not disappointed. At first we were worried that the trail would be closed due to the storm damage that occurred during the prior year but we drove by and there were multiple parties going in and out of the trail so we figured we would go for it! This trail is long and arduous, so be prepared! Us Floridians definitely overestimated our hiking abilities but we still got it done (thankfully). Bring around 2L per person or more if it's a hot day. We started on a Friday around 2pm and finished by 6:30pm and clocked in a total of 8 miles round trip. If you can go earlier, I highly recommend doing so to have plenty of light. There's two main parts of the trail where the bridges were damaged and removed. In one section, there's several logs that lay across the stream. Find a big stick, and scramble across. In the second section, the water is shallow enough to walk across without the possibility of getting your legs wet. But even if you get wet, both sections are not deeper than your ankle. I don't know if I'd recommend this for children as there are multiple sudden drop offs but more power to you if your family can do this! If you are a hiker, this does not disappoint!

A smaller war memorial but this one is dedicated to those from Habersham County who lost their…read morelives in World War I, World War II or Vietnam. It is simple and compelling, listing names and the inscription "All Gave Much These Gave All." The memorial is at the corner of Washington Street and Monroe Street next to the County office building. There is parking here. [Review 20368 overall - 697 in Georgia - 1346 of 2023.]

My son and I went tent camping in Aug before his school started. Didn't realize how busy this…read moreplace was, but did manage to get one of the last two spots one week prior. The place met all our expectations, however one thing I didn't think about was how close the main road is to the campsites. So, being in a tent, you can easily hear all the traffic. The place seems to be more suited to RV campers since it's so close to the main road. But, at least the restrooms were never busy. The location is convenient to Hemlock Falls, but be aware walking there involves a trek just to get to the parking lot at Hemlock Falls. We opted to drive there, even though it's just across the street. We got spotty cell coverage at the campsite and could sometimes get one bar of signal. Though there is wifi at the office, its range is limited and is slow. Park is kept clean and restrooms are acceptable. The office maintains a stock of various supplies and prices are reasonable. Park is relatively small, but there are a number of things to do: playground, volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, kayak, canoe, paddle board, and fishing. Swimming is not really allowed. Highlight of our trip was laying on the dock at midnight and watching the shooting stars in the clear night.

A very nice place to stop This was along the route as we…read moredrove through the mountains looking for the change of leaves and the best place to view them. The road (SR 197) travels across or along several fingers of Lake Burton on its route to the mountains to connect up with I-76 on the north end. This campground is along the east side of the road and across from the Hemlock Falls trailhead entrance. It is situated along the lake with a beautiful view. The office is right up front on the right as you drive into the grounds. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The office is not very big. The park advertises that it sits on 32 Acres and has 53 tent, trailer & RV campsites, a boat Dock and ramp, a wildlife observation tower, a fishing Pier -- ADA accessible, and a playground. The office is a good place to check in for the campgrounds or to get a parking pass for seeing the falls. The grounds were well maintained and there was a large open-air pavilion situated right along the lake. Overall, it is s nice place to stop, seems a nice place to camp, and is convenient for those seeking to hike to Hemlock Falls.

This is a really pretty space with beautiful gardens, a few places to sit, and historic buildings…read moreincluding: - A one-room cabin built around 1820 - A millinery shop with vintage hats - A historic house museum built around 1880 They also have a free parking lot adjacent to the property. We came at 11am on a Wednesday and hoped to see the museum, but they were not open unfortunately (even though website said they should've been). I'd recommend calling in advance to confirm open hours for this reason.

Really cool museum that features an historic cabin, a millinery and boasts the oldest wood building…read morein Clarkesville. Very charming and great for a nice walk through. Guided tours are available.

I can't resist a historical marker and this one points out the local citizen that has roots here…read morefrom before the Revolutionary War. And while the home is on private property, there is plenty to see from the road. The marker reads, "This was the summer home of Joseph Habersham of Savannah (1751-1815), Georgia patriot, Revolutionary War hero, and political leader. He was a Colonel in the Continental Army, a member of Continental Congress, and of the Georgia Convention that ratified the Constitution in 1788. Educated at Princeton, he returned to Georgia to aid in organizing the "Liberty Boys" as the Revolution approached. With other patriots, he organized the Council of Safety at Tondee's Tavern, June 22, 1775. On January 17, 1776, leading a small group, he captured and placed under guard Sir James Wright, British Colonial Governor. With Captain Bowen, he commanded the first commissioned vessel of the Revolution. Twice speaker of the General Assembly, in Georgia's first legislative body, in 1785, Joseph Habersham signed the first charter granted to a state university in America ~ that of the University of Georgia. He served as Postmaster General under Presidents Washington, Adams and Jefferson. From 1802 until his death he was president of the Georgia branch of the Bank of the United States. Habersham County, created December 19, 1818 was named for Joseph Habersham." Joseph served as Speaker of the Georgia House in 1782 and again in 1785 and was a member of the Georgia convention in 1788 that ratified the U.S. Constitution. He served as mayor of Savannah from 1792 to 1793 and then was appointed Postmaster General by President George Washington in 1795 and served until the beginning of Thomas Jefferson's administration in 1801. The Joseph Habersham Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, located in Atlanta, is named in Habersham's honor, as is their headquarters, Habersham Memorial Hall. There is room to pull over here if there isn't too much traffic and you can see the house from the road. [Review 20369 overall - 698 in Georgia - 1347 of 2023.]

Located in front of the County office building and in a small park at an intersection, this marker…read morepoints out the history of the county and how it got its name. The marker reads, "Habersham County was created by Acts of the Legislature, Dec. 15, 1818, and named for Joseph Habersham (1751-1815), of Savannah, who had a summer home near Clarkesville. He served in the Revolution as a Lieutenance Colonel in the Georgia Continental line; was twice Speaker of the General Assembly; Mayor of Savannah, 1792-'93; and Postmaster General of the United States, 1795-1801. The first Habersham County officers sworn in after the County was created were Miles Davis, Clerk of the Superior Court; Wm. B Wofford, Sheriff; Joseph Dobson, Clerk of the Inferior Court; Wm. Steedly, Coroner; William Wofford, Sr., Surveyor. Benjamin Cleveland, Absalom Holcombe and James R. Wyly were sworn in as Members of the Inferior Court, Feb. 25, 1819, and Holcombe was succeeded by Arthur Alexander on April 20, 1819. James Allen, Benjamin Chastain, Absalom Holcombe, John Kiser, Thomas Brock, James O'Neal, Joseph Whitehead and John Bryan were sworn in as Justices of the Peace in 1821. Cicero M. Sutton was the first Ordinary of Habersham County. Habersham County is noted for its healthful climate and beautiful scenery, its peaches and apples, and its fine schools." This is marker number 086-6 and it was erected in 1955 by the Georgia Historical Commission. There is room to park here and enjoy the small gazebo. Some shops and restaurants are nearby. [Review 20367 overall - 696 in Georgia - 1345 of 2023.]