DAHLONEGA, Ga. — One cannot visit Dahlonega without being overwhelmed by its gold history. It’s said the first gold was discovered by accident as a man stumbled over a big nugget of gold while out in the woods one day. That accidental discovery led to thousands coming to the North Georgia mountain town in search of their fortunes. From panning in streams to strip mining and digging mines into the mountains, the town became a frenzy of gold fever.
With the establishment of the Dahlonega Mint, gold was coined using Dahlonega gold. Before it closed in 1861, it had minted almost 1.5 million gold coins with a face value of more than $6 million.
All of this history and more can be learned at the Gold Museum, formerly the old Lumpkin County Courthouse. It was built in 1836, and many of its bricks are flecked with bits of gold. The museum includes a gift shop, a movie in what was once the courtroom where trials were held, pieces of equipment used in gold mining and replicas of a jury room and judge’s office.
If you have time, take the Crime and Punishment Tour around the old courthouse and town square to learn how justice was dealt back in the 1800s and early 1900s. You might ask yourself: If only one year was given for murder, what about moonshine, hog thieving, jail breaks and bank robberies? You’ll be surprised at the answer.
