Towns County History

Towns County was created on March 6, 1856 from portions of Rabun and Union Counties. It was named for George W. Towns, and early governor of the state. The two incorporated towns, Hiawassee (the county seat) and Young Harris (home of Young Harris College) are located where ancient Cherokee trails crossed.

Sturdy immigrants who could endure both the isolation and extreme hardships of mountain life and weather settled the county. Many natives of Towns County today are descendants of those early settlers. The isolation preserved both a culture and language that disappeared far more slowly than in lowland settlements. Remnants of Olde English remain today in the colorful phrases and pronunciation of mountain folk.

The influence of the Cherokee Indians is reflected in the place names in the county: Enotah, Hiawassee, Chatuge and others. Colorful names abound on road signs such as Tater Ridge, Bugscuffle, Frog Pond, Bear Meat, Shake Rag, Scataway, Fodder Creek, Soapstone and Owl Creek.

Of the 106,240 acres of land in Towns County, the Chattahoochee National Forest covers 57,000 and another 7,000 is owned by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) which built Lake Chatuge in 1941. The natural beauty of the county is enhanced and preserved by both of those attractions, which provide numerous recreational opportunities and economic benefits.

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