Chatsworth is adjacent to Fort Mountain State Park and located within the Chattahoochee National Forest close to the Cohutta Wilderness area.
Even though Chatsworth has maintained its small-town community feel for more than 100 years, it is quickly transforming into a modern town that continues to grow and sustain itself for future generations.
The population was 3,531 at the 2000 census and jumped to 4,299 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Murray County. According to popular legend, the town received its name after a road sign with the word "Chatsworth" fell off a passing freight train nearby. Someone put the sign on a post, and the name stuck.
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Chatsworth’s historic Wright Hotel> Thomas Wright, the creator of the Wright Hotel, opened the business in 1909. Visitors flocked to the rural town of Chatsworth to drink the refreshing mineral waters, enjoy cool mountain breezes and to dine on Southern-style cooking.> Many historic displays and memorabilia can be viewed there. Hotel registers dating to the 1920s give a glimpse of those who stayed there while it was a thriving business. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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The Chief Vann House> The Chief Vann House is known as the “Showplace of the Cherokee Nation.” In the 1790s, James Vann, a Cherokee Indian political leader and a wealthy businessman, established the largest and most prosperous plantation in the Cherokee Nation, which covered 1,000 acres of what is now Murray County, Ga. > Since 1958, the Chief Vann House has been open to the public as a state historic site. It survives as Georgia’s most original and best-preserved historic Cherokee Indian home. A guided tour allows visitors to see the entire house, which features beautiful hand carvings, a “floating” staircase, a 12-foot mantle and many fine antiques. There is a museum with film and interpretive exhibits. Special programs include the Vann House Days in July and Christmas Candlelight Tours in December. > Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Admission is $3 to $5.
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OTHER ATTRACTIONS> North Georgia Speedway has boasted high banked clay turns for more than 50 years. The following divisions race: super late models, limited late models, crate late models, modified hobby and modified pony.> Southern High Roads Trail is a scenic driving tour that winds through 13 counties and four states including Georgia, South and North Carolina and Tennessee, in a 364-mile regional loop of entertainment and fun for the entire family. Skiing, rafting, shopping, Native American history, country cooking, hiking and more await on the trail.> Chieftains Trail is an unforgettable 200-mile driving tour that highlights the history of the area’s Native Americans. It was designated as a state historic trail by the Georgia General Assembly in 1988 as part of the 150th anniversary of the Trail of Tears, the trail offers a wide variety of attractions.
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Pull up a chairBear Creek Restaurant and GrillBiscuit Box Little RomeRoyal Waffle KingVillage Cafeteria
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A picturesque view> Carters Lake is the deepest lake in Georgia, boasting 425 feet at the dam. Boat ramps, playgrounds, a public beach, picnic areas, camping, hiking, mountain biking and a variety of water sports abound. Carters Lake Marina and Resort offers an array of cabins with modern amenities for overnight visits. House boats and pontoon boats are also available for rent.
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Black Bear Festival> The annual Black Bear Festival, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., celebrates the beauty of downtown Chatsworth at Chatsworth City Park. The festival includes costume contests, recipe contests, a pumpkin-carving contest, arts and crafts, music, food, a pet parade and family fun.