Ellijay, GA -- one of "America's Coolest Small Towns"

October 4, 2009

I signed onto Yahoo this morning, and saw this article called "America's Coolest Small Towns". They listed 10 towns across the country -- several of which I have visited. This started me to think about my own little town of Ellijay, GA. I think whoever wrote this article must have missed Ellijay. And in fact, most of the time I miss the town of Ellijay. I've lived in this area for 9 years, and I have done very little in my own community.

I started this blog as my journal -- my way of recording all the great experiences I have had while in Montana and Wyoming. And it was a way for my family and friends to stay up with me while I spent several months in the Montana and Wyoming areas. I've done this for 2 years, and the blog has sort of become a tourist travel guide of the great things to see out West.

People have asked me -- "How do you find things to do when you spend a couple of months? Don't you run out of things to do?" And the answer is that I always have so many things I want to see and do, that I run out of time. I visit areas and see sights that many of the "local" Montana residents never experience. I've found that almost any place, no matter how remote, has sights to see and things to do. You just have to look for them -- in tourist books, in local newspapers, from web sites, from local shop owners, etc. I read, I talk to people, and I've found some of the greatest and most beautiful places to visit and experience.

So I am now taking this same approach to where I live. As I said, I've not been an active participant in my own town and area of Georgia. And the North Georgia Mountains are visited by a lot of tourists every year. So while I am not in Montana, I am going to continue this blog as a travel guide to my part of the country.

A little history on Ellijay (the name means "New Ground Place). The town lies where the Ellijay and Carthecay rivers come together to form the Coosawattee River. In 2000, we had a population of 1584 -- and I guarantee it has gone up a lot since then.

Cherokee Indians were the first known settlers of this area, and the present day Ellijay is located on the original Indian settlement. It is believed the first white settlers were followers of DeSoto, who is thought to have passed through Gilmer County during his initial expeditions looking for gold. In 1838, the Cherokee Indians were forceably removed and made to embark upon the infamous "Trail of Tears" to Oklahoma -- I believe there were about 17,000 Cherokee, and over 4,000 died on that march. Gilmer County was named after George Rockingham Gilmer, a state legislator, member of Congress, and twice Governor of Georgia.

That said.....I now want to tell everyone that Ellijay, GA is a "cool small town". The downtown association has done a lot of work over the last 5 years for the downtown area. Many buildings that were eye sores are now remodeled and housing fudge shops, deli's, etc. The downtown has a "roundabout" where you circle the little park area to get to another street. The town had a very historic county courthouse which has been torn down and replaced with a new building (something I voted against). I guess even historic buildings get too run down to make it financially sound to renovate -- cheaper to build new.

The shops downtown have been updated, and boasts many, many antique stores, a very nice pottery store, General Store with mountain furniture and accessories, a year round Christmas store (in a beautiful old home) as well as a pie and ice cream shop, a wine shop (with a great selection), new restaurants (Mexican, BBQ, River Street Grill), computer store, deli's, outdoor cafe's, etc. It's a fun place to be, as most of the art shows, concerts, parades, etc., take place in the downtown.

You can find the common, normal products (like fudge) to the gourmet. Penland's used to be a farm store when I arrived in town, but now is a very upscale merchantile store with items that you won't find anywhere else. Things like "Frog Jam" from Penland Orchards, to "Southern Twang" Grilling Sauce, to "Butt Burner Hot Sauce", the "Original Death Sauce", and "Pig Out -- Feel the Heat -- Sauce". There is also gourmet items like "Tomato Herb Bruschetta Spread" and fancy packaged "Cherry Cobbler" and "Corn Bread Mix". It's just FUN to walk through and spend time looking at all the available items.

Of course, the next 2 weekends is the 38th Annual Gilmer County Apple Festival, held in Ellijay. The mountains and temperatures of this area are very conducive to growing some of the best apples (and this I can vouch for). The applies grown in Gilmer County are tasty, juicy, and you are buying them directly from the growers -- fresh picked, and at some orchards, you pick your own. Taste tests have been run to show that people prefer the taste of Gilmer applies over those grown in Washington State (I believe that study was done by a group in Georgia -- oh well). If you come and visit the festival or the orchards at this time of year, you will find varieties of apples that you can not find in grocery stores. My favorite is the "Mutsu" -- great for cooking or eating, and it is sweet. And don't miss the "fried apple pies" -- eat them while warm, they are delicious. You can also find all sorts of jams and jellies, baked and unbaked apple pies (to die for), apple bread, and of course -- fudge and ice cream.

I'm extremely impressed by what Ellijay has done since I arrived 9 years ago. I plan to spend more time downtown, and I'm inviting all of you to visit -- just don't build and stay!!! I happen to like the town just the size that it is.