Situated between Chattanooga and Atlanta in the foothills of Northwest Georgia, Dalton could tell a few tales about the importance of evolving with the times. In a place that has transitioned from an American Indian settlement to a railroad town to a Civil War site to a mill town to an industry cradle - first for bedspreads, then carpet and later floor coverings in general - Dalton has seen plenty of changes.
While industry remains crucial, a newer focus on tourism and hospitality makes the "Carpet Capital of the World" an excellent choice for a quick getaway that's easy to get to. All year long, everything from outdoor activities to festivals to quality dining and shopping gives visitors a reason to check out Dalton as it rolls out the red carpet for sightseers with hopes they'll keep coming back.
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GO BACK IN TIME*After the exit of Native American populations — first the Creek, then the Cherokee — the village of Cross Plains, formed in 1837, began to grow because of its proximity to trade routes. In 1847, the town’s name was changed to Dalton, and three years later the Western & Atlantic Railroad was completed, linking Dalton to Atlanta and Chattanooga by train. This was pivotal for the town which soon became the seat of the newly formed Whitfield County, and it set up the area’s role as a significant site during the Civil War.*By the early 1900s, textile mills had taken hold in town and Catherine Evans Whitener’s hand-tufted bedspreads had birthed a thriving tufting industry that eventually transitioned to the carpet and flooring business that now permeates Northwest Georgia.*Want to learn more? Here are some sites worth visiting:Dalton Visitors Center: How’s this for reinvention? The Southern Freight Depot (305 S. Depot St.), built in 1911, was restored in 2009 and is an excellent place for first-time visitors to begin a tour of Dalton. It houses the Bandy Heritage Center, which features historical collections on a rotating basis, as well as a viewing platform of the trains that still pass right through downtown. Audio feeds of railroad radio traffic and digital displays of the tracks help you hear and see what’s coming around the bend. Among the free resources available are a brochure for self-guided tours of the Dalton-Whitfield Spur of the West Georgia Textile Heritage Trail as well as a guide to area Civil War sites. You can also buy a Civil War tour CD with narration there or at the Tunnel Hill Heritage Center (215 Clisby Austin Drive) in northwest Whitfield County.Crown Gardens and Archives: Housed at what was the Crown Cotton Mill office building (715 Chattanooga Ave.), the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society’s archives are available for viewing 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. most Fridays. On the same property is the historic Hamilton House, which features other historical displays related to Dalton.Blunt House: Constructed in 1848 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Dalton’s oldest two-story house was the home of Dalton’s first mayor and served as a hospital during the Civil War. Located at 506 S. Thornton Ave., it’s open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. most Fridays; admission with a guided tour is provided for a small fee.Emery Center: Built in 1886, the town’s first public school building for black students is now an African-American heritage center (110 W. Emery St.). Call 706-277-7633 to schedule a tour.West Hill Cemetery: The list of notable names buried on these expansive grounds near downtown includes the aforementioned Whitener, Harry “Suitcase” Simpson (among the earliest wave of baseball players to transition from the Negro Leagues to MLB) and poet Robert Loveman. Among the unnamed laid to rest are many Civil War soldiers in the Confederate cemetery. A brochure is available at the Dalton Visitors Center.*Source: Dalton Convention and Visitors Bureau; cityofdalton-ga.gov; georgiaencyclopedia.org.
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SHINE ON* Changes to Georgia laws in recent years have led to craft distilleries popping up around the Peach State, including the Dalton Moonshine Distillery. Located adjacent to the Dalton Visitors Center at 109 E. Morris St., the distillery owned and operated by the Butler family hosts events in conjunction with comedy, wrestling and ghost tours; tours are also available outside of special events. Visit daltondistillery.com or call 706-483-2790 to learn more.
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FUN ON THE FARMNot far outside of town in the Rocky Face community on Highway 201, Freeman Springs Farm is an old family farm (approaching two centuries in existence) that’s family-friendly, with a petting barn, “country shop” with canned items, honey and crafts, hayrides, barrel train rides and mazes among its offerings. Visit freemanspringsfarm.com or the farm’s Facebook page for details and contact information.
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*REASONS TO CELEBRATE*The Dalton area doesn’t miss out on festival time in the fall. Here are some options:In addition to a Civil War re-enactment weekend in nearby Tunnel Hill, which combines history with a festival atmosphere, September boasts the Downtown Dalton Beer Tasting Festival and the Creative Arts Guild’s family-friendly festival.In October, the Liberty Tree Festival is held in conjunction with the annual Red Carpet Half Marathon, showcasing the downtown area along with music, food vendors and arts and crafts displays.The annual Prater’s Mill Country Fair, entering its 46th year, fills Columbus Day weekend with arts, crafts, music and food at the historic grist mill, which was built in 1855 and powered by Coahulla Creek. It’s a good time to buy Prater’s Mill cornmeal, flour or grits while munching on a fried apple pie and listening to bluegrass. This year’s event is set for Oct. 8-9, starting at 9 a.m. each day and running until late afternoon, with one bonus not all fairs boast: free parking. Want a preview — and maybe a bit of fishing or canoeing? The grounds at 5845 Highway 2 are also open daily from sunrise to sunset, with tours available for groups of 15 or more by reservation. Visit pratersmill.org to learn more.In November, get an early jump on Christmas as downtown merchants host Holiday Open House, with special sales, caroling, pictures with Santa and carriage rides.*Source: Dalton Convention and Visitors Bureau
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UP WITH DOWNTOWNA well-restored downtown pulls in natives, transplants and tourists alike.›Shopping options include: Bucket List Antiques; Bugs & Kisses (children’s clothing); The Cherry Tree (monogrammed items and gifts for all ages); Cotton and Twine Boutique (women’s clothing); Grace (Christian-themed art, clothing and decor); Paper Princess (custom cards and invitations, stationery and gifts); Raspberry Row (candles, lamps, picture frames, college team items); Sweet Cheeks Denim Boutique; Unique Selections (women’s clothing); Whitecotton Leather Co.; and The Yellow Bird (birdhouses, bird feeders and garden items).›Good places to wet your whistle and fill your belly: Buckin’ Burrito (made-to-order Tex-Mex); The Filling Station (all-you-can-eat Southern buffet that includes drink, dessert and coffee); Hamilton’s Food and Spirits (fine dining and full bar); Lisa’s Cafe (sandwiches and meat-and-three with rotating specials); Oakwood Cafe (where you can find the regulars at breakfast, lunch and dinner); The Perfect Cup (coffee, flavored teas, smoothies, soups and sandwiches); and Willie’s (super-sized sandwiches, burgers, catfish and shrimp). Also, not far from downtown, be sure to check out The Chop Shop (101 W. Walnut Ave.), a gourmet butcher and grocery shop where you can have lunch and pick up some steaks to grill later. Also housed there is The Grove & Vine, which sells a variety of olive oils and balsamic vinegars.
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*NATURAL APPEAL*In addition to a full calendar of road races (visit carpetcapitalrunningclub.com for a glance), the active set will find more rustic ways to get exercise in Dalton.The Disney Trail is no Mickey Mouse venture. Named after the Confederate soldier whose grave is at its terminus atop Rocky Face Ridge, it’s not the trail’s length but its steep scale that challenges those who ascend it. The reward is a gorgeous east-to-west view. Access to the trailhead is behind the Nazarene Church on Highway 41, near Exit 336 on I-75.Nearby is the Pinhoti Trail, which attracts trail runners, hikers and mountain bikers, including the latter for the annual Snake Creek Gap Time Trials, which pulls in riders from around the country. Visit georgiatrails.com to learn more.Not far from town is Raisin Woods (145 Raisin Way), which features miles of trails for mountain biking, running or hiking.In town, the Mount Rachel trail is a wooded 1.6-mile route from West Park Street that takes hikers and bikers up for a 245-foot elevation change.*Source: Dalton Convention and Visitors Bureau