More about Ellijay and Gilmer County Georgia

Newcomer's Guide for Ellijay - Gilmer County, Georgia

Gilmer County is nestled in the foothills of the vast Chattahoochee National Forest and Appalachian mountains. Wildlife abounds in the forests, rivers and mountain streams. The beauty of apple blossoms in the spring, lush green mountain forests in summer, autumn leaves and winters mountaintop white blankets produce an ever changing scenic panorama.

The Cherokee Indians were the first known settlers in the area and lived here until the Trail of Tears forced their removal in 1838. White settlers moved in primarily from the Carolina Territory.

The county was created from Cherokee and Union Counties and is bounded on the north by Fannin County, on the East by Dawson and Fannin Counties, on the west by Murray and Gordon County and on the South by Pickens County. Ellijay became the seat of County government in 1834.

Ellijay is located on the west bank of the Ellijay River. Within the community, the Ellijay and Cartecay Rivers merge to form the Coosawattee River. Ellijay probably means "many waters". Ellijay's average temperature is 60 degrees and has an average rainfall of 60 inches. The highest elevation is over 4,000 feet.

Gilmer County is a popular destination for recreation and mountain living. Smimming, canoeing, kayaking, camping, hunting, trout fishing, hiking, biking, golf and tennis are popular activities. A recreation complex is located on the banks of the Coosawattee River. The Georgia Apple Festival on the second and third weekends of October attracts people nationwide to Ellijay. Apples, delicious food, autumn leaves, crafts and entertainment are always on the agenda.

BUSINESS

Gilmer County's economy is largely tourism with industrial, agricultural products, and retail also contributing to the economic make up. Leading agricultural products are apples, poultry, livestock and hay. Industries include poultry processing, machining, fabrication, plumbing & piping, printing and tool and die.

CHURCHES

Seventh Day Adventist, Baptist, Catholic, Christian, Church of Christ, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Church of God, Church of God of Prophecy, Episcopal, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran and Methodist.

CLIMATE

Average Rainfall 60.4"

Average Temperature...59.9 Annual.....85 Summer.....35 Winter

EDUCATION

Five county public schools. There are 3 private schools. Dalton College, Pickens Technical Institute, Truett McConnel College and North Georgia College are within easy commuting distance.

GOVERNMENT

Ellijay has a mayor and five member council. Gilmer County Sheriff's Department has 9 deputies and one detective. Ellijay police department has 6 officers and one detective. There are 15 full time fire fighters and 18 volunteer firemen. City of Ellijay provides garbage service.

HEALTH CARE

North Georgia Medical Center operates a 50 bed hospital and 50 bed nursing home. Laurel Medical Management provides general health care services. There are a variety of physicians, dentists, chiropractors and health care practitioners. Riverside Drugs provides prescription services and medical supplies.

LOCATION

North Georgia in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountain Range. 80 miles north of Atlanta and 75 miles southeast of Chattanooga, TN.

RECREATION

Swimming, Boating, Fishing, Hunting, Camping, Golf, hiking, Tennis, Picnicking

Two State Parks are within 21 miles of Ellijay

Chattahoochee National Forest is adjacent to Ellijay

Four Lighted Tennis Courts

18 Hole Golf course

Baseball, Softball 7 Football Fields

50 Acre Recreation Complex

Olympic Swimming Pool

Gymnasium

Yearly Events. Georgia Apple Festival. County Fair.

State Park. Fort Mountain State Park ( 20 miles) with camping, swimming, fishing. Amicalola Falls State Park (21 miles) with camping, hiking , picnicking.

Carters Lake (12 miles) has swimming, fishing, camping, skiing, motor boating, 62 miles of shoreline.

Chattahoochee National Forest, Appalachian Mountains, Ellijay, Cartecay & Coosawattee Rivers. Offer fishing, rafting, canoeing, hiking, hunting and camping.

TRANSPORTATION

Railroads - L&N and CSX Transportation at Ellijay.

Norfolk/Southern Piggyback Svc. at Dalton (38 miles). CSX Piggyback Svc. at Atlanta (80 miles)

Highways - U.S. 76, A.P.D. 515.

State Highways - 5,52,282,382,2

Common Carriers - Motor Freight Companies: 20 Inter-Intrastate, 2 Interstate

Nearest Airport - Ellijay, runway length 3,500', lighting, gas; Nearest Commercial Service - Chattanooga/Atlanta