Blairsville is a city in Union County, Georgia, United States. The population was 659 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Union County[3].
Geography
Blairsville is located at 34°52′32″N 83°57′24″W / 34.87556°N 83.95667°W / 34.87556; -83.95667 (34.875554, -83.956581)[4].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.7 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 659 people, 226 households, and 101 families residing in the city. The population density was 619.7 people per square mile (240.0/km²). There were 261 housing units at an average density of 245.4/sq mi (95.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.04% White, 2.00% African American, 0.10% Asian, 2.12% from other races, and 2.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.64% of the population.
There were 226 households out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.4% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54.9% were non-families. 50.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.95 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the city the population was spread out with 14.3% under the age of 18, 15.2% from 18 to 24, 39.0% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 151.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 167.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $14,120, and the median income for a family was $24,712. Males had a median income of $21,953 versus $28,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,865. About 16.8% of families and 26.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.2% of those under age 18 and 23.7% of those age 65 or over.
History of Name
At the top of the state of Georgia lies Union County, named after the Union Party who strongly supported President Andrew Jackson for his policy of Indian removal. On Dec. 26, 1835, the Georgia General Assembly designated Union’s county seat in an act that read, “lot No. 273 of the ninth district and first section of, originally Cherokee, now Union county, and at a place now known by the name of Blairsville” (Ga. Laws 1835, p. 113). It is believed that the town was named after Francis P. Blair, who was not only a prominent and influential man of his time but was a strong supporter of the Union Party, for which the county itself had been named. Adjacent towns and counties in the area have similar ties to the Union Party that help to support this connection.
Attractions
Brasstown Bald is the highest mountain peak in Georgia. It has a park with a picnic area and a small observation tower near the peak with a movie chronicling the change of seasons and the impact of pollution on the mountain. The peak may be reached by bus or by walking from a point halfway to the top beyond which private vehicles are not allowed. The Mountain's Address: Highway 180, Blairsville, GA.
Nearby Lake Nottely is a TVA reservoir that is a local recreational resource.
The Appalachian Trail in Georgia has elevations that vary from about 2500 to 4,500 feet (1,400 m) with many steep climbs and extends some 75 miles (121 km) through the Chattahoochee National Forest.
Butternut Creek Golf Course is an 18-hole mountainside public golf course located within the city limits.
Encompassing nearly two-thirds of the county, the Chattahoochee National Forest has winding trails that lead visitors through scenic mountains, rushing rivers, and cascading waterfalls. This is where you can step back in time with nature and walk where the Cherokee Indians' once lived.
History
Blairsville has a rich history of gold, Cherokee Indians, and early settlers. Although the neighboring city of Dahlonega, GA was well known for the first site of gold in the United States, Blairsville and the surrounding area was known to have the purest gold in the mountains. In the late 1700s two family's settled in the area: the Collins Family, and the Dyer Family. Many houses from the early 1800s still stand, or have been moved/or restored in another area of the county to help with preservation. Blairsville's town square is home to the original courthouse, several local businesses, the Seasons Inn Motel, and a local old diner called the "Hole In The Wall".
Climate
| Monthly normal and record high and low temperatures[5] |
| Mon. |
Avg.
High |
Avg.
Low |
Avg. |
Rec.
High |
Rec.
Low |
|
| Jan |
47 °F (8 °C) |
25 °F (−4 °C) |
36 °F (2 °C) |
76 °F (24 °C) |
−16 °F (−26.7 °C) |
| Feb |
52 °F (11 °C) |
27 °F (−3 °C) |
39 °F (4 °C) |
76 °F (24 °C) |
−8 °F (−22.2 °C) |
| Mar |
59 °F (15 °C) |
34 °F (1 °C) |
47 °F (8 °C) |
89 °F (32 °C) |
−5 °F (−20.6 °C) |
| Apr |
67 °F (19 °C) |
40 °F (4 °C) |
54 °F (12 °C) |
89 °F (32 °C) |
16 °F (−9 °C) |
| May |
74 °F (23 °C) |
49 °F (9 °C) |
62 °F (17 °C) |
94 °F (34 °C) |
25 °F (−4 °C) |
| Jun |
81 °F (27 °C) |
57 °F (14 °C) |
69 °F (21 °C) |
100 °F (38 °C) |
34 °F (1 °C) |
| Jul |
84 °F (29 °C) |
62 °F (17 °C) |
73 °F (23 °C) |
100 °F (38 °C) |
40 °F (4 °C) |
| Aug |
83 °F (28 °C) |
61 °F (16 °C) |
72 °F (22 °C) |
98 °F (37 °C) |
42 °F (6 °C) |
| Sep |
78 °F (26 °C) |
55 °F (13 °C) |
66 °F (19 °C) |
95 °F (35 °C) |
26 °F (−3 °C) |
| Oct |
69 °F (21 °C) |
42 °F (6 °C) |
55 °F (13 °C) |
90 °F (32 °C) |
14 °F (−10 °C) |
| Nov |
59 °F (15 °C) |
34 °F (1 °C) |
47 °F (8 °C) |
83 °F (28 °C) |
0 °F (−18 °C) |
| Dec |
51 °F (11 °C) |
28 °F (−2 °C) |
39 °F (4 °C) |
74 °F (23 °C) |
−9 °F (−22.8 °C) |
Blairsville is located in the humid subtropical climate zone, however, it does resemble the humid continental climatic zone. Blairsville, being 1,883 feet (574 m) above sea level, gives it a more temperate climate compared to other southern locations. Areas of higher elevation around the Blairsville region of have climates similar to that of New England. The average annual precipitation is 57.94 inches (1,472 mm). The average annual snowfall is 7 inches (180 mm). Snow generally falls every year, although not always in large amounts. The Storm of the Century (1993) brought 18 inches to the area with drifts measured in feet. The coldest temperature recorded in Blairsville was -16F(-27C) in 1985, and the warmest temperature ever recorded was 100F(38C) in 1934 and 1936.
Events
- The Sorghum Festival is held every year, on the second and third weekends in October, celebrating the sorghum harvest and showcasing rural mountain culture and skills such as bluegrass music and clogging.
Vogel State Park
Vogel State Park is located on Highway 19/129 South, heading towards Lumpkin County and the Appalachian Trail. It is a beautiful park that is centered around Lake Trahlyta and has about five miles (8 km) of trails and walkways which wind their way around the central lake and into the woods. One trail offers access to the Appalachian Trail. The lake itself has paddleboat rentals and allows fishing (license and trout stamp required). There is also a miniature golf course. There are 35 cabins (6 log type cabins originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and 29 cabins of more modern vintage) and 103 campsites (85 conventional campsites with water and electrical connections and 16 "walk-in" sites). The park has seasonal programs (fall festival, pioneer Christmas, kids fishing rodeo, and Saturday music events during the summer). There is an all-day Mountain Music Festival in September. Parking is $3 for a day visit each day except Wednesday, or $3 for your entire stay, and is covered if you own a "state park pass" for Georgia state parks. The park is an eleven mile (18 km), fifteen minute drive from Blairsville. Of Historical note: parts of Vogel State Park were constructed during the Great Depression under Franklin Roosevelt's CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) worker project.
Notable citizens
References
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=/cffiles/counties/usamap.cfm. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ [1] The Weather Channel. Retrieved on 2007-07-23.
External links
