Historic Survey
In July 1977, a historic survey was completed in Towns County due to a proposed highway extending GA 400 to the NC State line and HWY 515. The survey explored historic sites in Young Harris and Hiawassee that were close to the impact zone following HWY 76. This survey did not include all historic structures that existed at the time, only those that would be impacted by the proposed road. The road never came to fruition as local leaders and community members fought back against the destruction of their town in the name of progress. Undoubtedly, this proposed highway would have destroyed both Hiawassee and Young Harris, and the area would look completely different from what it does today.
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The sites listed on the survey were eligible for historic preservation and could have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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While some of the sites are still standing, many have been lost over the years, either due to neglect or destruction. Below is a synopsis of some of the places included in the survey, with pictures available either being the original 1977, when available, or newer images (newer images obtained via Google Earth Street View or local photographers dedicated to preserving our history). Some images show what is there today, whether the original structure or it's replacement.
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A copy of the survey can be viewed by clicking the PDF viewer here.
Survey Map
1977 map of Towns County showing surveyed areas.
Woodring House
Built in 1872 in the Bald Mountain Park area, it later became the home of Claude & Rhea Kimsey. It was later moved to the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, where it was restored to its original condition and is part of the Pioneer Village.
Corn House
Built in 1852 in the Visage community, it was the home of the John Corn Family.
Stephens/Adams House
Built in 1860 by Judge G. Stephens, it later became the home of Professor E.L. Adams.
Stephens House
Built in 1870 by J.H. Stephens
Wyly/Brown House
Built in 1815 by Gen. James Rutherford Wyly. It was used as a rest stop on the Unicoi Turnpike. It was later bought by Ezekiel & Margaret Brown by the 1870s. The property has continued to remain in the Brown family since. However, in 1970, the house burned. If it were still standing, it would qualify for the old
Lloyd House
Built in 1865, this was the home of Frank Lloyd. Circa 1910, an addition was added, bringing local contractor Bart Lochaby's notable Victorian style to the structure.
House of 7 Gables
Built in 1890 by local contractor Bart Lochaby for Asbury Eller.
Stephens/Townsend/Seabolt House
Built in 1837 by James Stephens, a pioneer settler of Brasstown Valley. It was built in the New England Salt Box Style.
Susan B. Harris Chapel
Built in 1892 by Judge Young LG Harris in memory of his late wife, Susan. It is the oldest structure on the YHC Campus.
Kelley House
Built in 1880 by Bart Kelley, it was the childhood home of Georgia's first woman senator, Tassie Kelley Cannon, who was appointed to fill her late husbands unexpired term.
Burrell/Sims House
Built in 1895 by Walter Jerome 'Rome' Burrell.
Hunt/Barnard House
Built around 1880 for the Hunt Family.
Friendship Church
The original log structure was built in the late 1880s. Around 1932, the structure was covered with rock gathered from the Hiwassee River and uses the grapevine mortar technique.
Brown/Wood House
Built in 1910 by local contractor Bart Lochaby for LC Brown. This house served as the official weather reporting station for Hiawassee in the 1930s. By the 1940s, it was bought by Corrdie Woods and updated, removing all of its Victorian elements.
Highschool & Dormitory
The High School was built in 1939, and the Dormitory Building was built in 1922.
Hunt/Alexander/ Mill
Built around 1880, it served as a grist mill, flour mill, and hammer mill for the community. The dam was washed away in the 1940s, and it has not been in service since.
Stoinoff Cabins
Two log cabins from the 1800s were moved to downtown Hiawassee in the 1970s. One cabin came from Dalton, GA, and the other came from Woodbury, TN. The TN cabin was believed to have originally been the public meeting building for Woodbury.
Sparks Ford
Built in 1922, it served as the Ford Dealership for Hiawassee. It consisted of a showroom floor and service area.
Old Bank Building
Built in 1909 to serve as the Bank of Hiawassee. It was constructed of block and had stamped metal ceilings, and it was located on River Street. When the bank moved up to the corner of River Street and Berrong Street, it was combined with Hooper's Drug Store to make one large building. By 1980, it was torn down and replaced with the current building.
River Street Boarding Houses
Built in the late 1800s to early 1900s, a row of boarding houses lined the West end of River Street. The cabins were built by J. Miles Berrong and housed students of Hiawassee Academy. Each cabin was a duplex unit. Today, only 2 of the cabins survive.
Berrong/Wood House
Built around 1900 for Sumner Berrong, it was later purchased by Pope Wood. Originally, the house was wood siding, but replaced with brick later on.
Hedden/Barnard/Gibson House
The original house was built around 1890. Later, around 1920, another house was moved to the location, and they were joined together. To move the second house, it was placed on logs and rolled down the hill.
Rock Jail
Built in 1936 by the WPA, this jail replaced the 1900 jail that was damaged in a storm. The cells in this jail were taken from the previous jail to save on cost. It served as the residence of the Sheriff and a jail until 1974. After that, it was used as Hiawassee City Hall and county offices until 2016, when it was turned over to the Towns County Historical Society for restoration into a museum. An addition was added in the 1980's which served as the county's first firehouse. It is built out of rock and concrete and features the grapevine mortar style. Rock was gathered from the area to build it.
Berrong House
Built in 1905 by local contractor Bart Lochaby for J. Miles and Maggie Berrong. This house is the last remaining example of Lochaby's work. It has remained in the family until it was purchased in 2023 by the City of Hiawassee and turned over to the Towns County Historical Society for restoration and management of an event center and museum.
