Fannin County Historical Timeline | Northeast Georgia LifeStyle

Spread the love

Take a step back in time with this Fannin County Historical Timeline from 1790 through present day. Explore the rich history this beautiful area has to offer.

1700’s

1790: The year of the first documented settlers arriving to the area from the north by way of following the Tennessee River south.

1800’s

1832: A good portion of what is now Fannin County was included in the Georgia Land Lottery of 1832.
1835: lands were surrendered by the Cherokee under the Treaty of New Echota
1837: The first post office was established by Benjamin Chastain
1838: The Cherokee were forced to leave the area by way of what is historically known as The Trail of Tears.
1853: Benjamin Chastain introduced a bill to create Fannin County from lands of Gilmer and Union County.
January 1854: Benjamin Chastain’s bill to create Fannin County was signed by Gov. Hershel Johnson
January 21, 1854: Fannin County was founded and named for Georgia native James W. Fannin, who fought and died during the Texas Revolution. It was created from lands of Gilmer and Union County, Georgia.
1855: The first courthouse in Fannin County was built in Morganton
1856: The Georgia General Assembly incorporated Morganton
1860: Population: 5,139
1870: Population: 5,429
1880: Population: 7,245
Summer of 1886: The first rail services, the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad arrived in Fannin County.
1886: The town of Blue Ridge was founded by Col. Mike McKinney
October 24, 1887: Blue Ridge was incorporated at the end or terminus of the rail line.
1890: Population: 8,724
December 13, 1895: The County Seat was transferred from Morganton to Blue Ridge.

1900’s

1900: Population: 11,214
1910: Population: 12,574
1920: Population: 12,103
Early 1920’s: Construction began on U.S. Highway 76 which greatly increased access to the area.
1925: The construction began of the Blue Ridge Dam, built by the Toccoa Electric Power Company.
1930: Population: 12,969
July 1, 1931: The Blue Ridge Dam went into operation and Lake Toccoa began to produce power for the Toccoa Electric Power Company.
1934: The name of Lake Toccoa was changed to Lake Blue Ridge.
1940: Population: 14,752
1950: Population: 15,192
1950’s: Tourism began to rise in Fannin County
1960: Population: 13,620
1970: Population: 13,357
1980: Population: 14, 748
1983: A major moonshine operation was located and destroyed by the ATF.
1986: The Georgia Mountain Parkway was completed
1990: Population: 15, 992
1998: The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway opened.

2000’s

2000: Population: 19,798
2003-04: Fannin County was named the 10th fastest growing county in the US, due to the increase in second-home owners and retirees in the area.
2004: Fannin County builds its 4th and current courthouse
2010: Population: 23,682

Join the Family!

More information coming soon, be sure to subscribe and follow for updates, and to get information about upcoming local events, local businesses, places to visit, and more. Visit negalifestyle.com to plan your next adventure today.