THE FANTASTIC ETOWAH RIVER TUNNEL, 191+/- acres, and a Country Mile of river along and through the property!! The only gold mining Tunnel of its kind in the entire United States with a river flowing through it - a historic remnant from the gold rush heydays of Dahlonega, GA.
Begun in the late 1800’s and completed in the early 1900’s, the 9' diameter Tunnel was blasted perpendicular through some one thousand feet of solid Georgia granite and the entire river was subsequently diverted through, short-crossing nearly a mile of previous looping river course. The newly exposed dry river bottom was then mined down to the bedrock for the precious yellow gold it contained. A decade later the Etowah is free again to flow around its original course but a portion still gushes strong through the Tunnel on this property.
The location of this tract in Dahlonega's Gold Belt gives a significant historical background unique in the United States. Millions of dollars’ worth of gold was extracted from this area of Georgia's gold deposits; this property is located along the widest swath of those deposits. A sharp eye can still see some evidence of the old gold miners from the 1800's here.
Many exceptional scenic amenities are here to enjoy and over a mile of the Etowah River winds through and along the property from shoal-noisy to strong and swirling. Acres of flat grassy and alternately shaded fields run along and just above the entire length of the waterway to make this a very family-friendly waterfront property. Collected along the riverbanks are towering cliffs of granite and exposed boulders; mountain laurel, rhododendron, and doghobble line the water's edge and put on showy blooms in the Spring.
The River is not the only flowing water through this property - Clear Creek and Buck Creek also flow through and tumble into the River is a splashy falls and little springs form little branches that slide down stony facades. There are three spring-fed ponds on the property plus a small impoundment, the main pond is some 30' deep in the middle.
Open grassy carpets of gentle terrain welcome in rays of sunshine and pretty timber covers the property with protection and shade. Scenic vistas and meadows along the upper plateau provide an open feel and the main line of the Blue Ridge Mountains can be seen in the distance.
If kayaking or canoeing is your thing then put in the River upstream at Castleberry Bridge and trip down through the rapids and gentle flows, the intrepid may even "Shoot the Tunnel." Or you can take the longer scenic route around the loop, either way you can end the trip and take out here on your own property.
The tract is totally private and secluded with heavy wrought-iron gates protecting the access roadways yet the property is very convenient to Hwy 400 and only ten minutes or so from major shopping, dining, and activities. A system of groomed roadways traverse the property providing easy access to all points of the land and up by the main pond there's a shop building with storage.
Historic Dahlonega, its wineries on The Dahlonega Plateau including the emergent Doghobble, and the Chattahoochee National Forest are but a few minutes up the road. Dawsonville and the North Georgia Premium Outlets along with about every urban amenity you can think of are just a few minutes south and Atlanta is forty minutes away yet a world removed.
This tract offers potential for many uses - the location and layout would excel as a private mountain retreat with all the appeal and amenities of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Or perhaps for a unique development or venue. Or simply for personal enjoyment, investment, and adventure.
This is certainly one of the most outstanding and compelling river properties in the South with a heritage unique across the Nation. $5,252,000. Contact Vic Dover at 706-265-5855 for specifics and to view.
