-Chapter IV- TOWNS, COMMUNITIES, AND MILITIA DISTRICTS (1880-1980)
Doolittle District
Doolittle District (G.M.D. No. 972), formed in the 1840's, covers a large and historic area in southern Murray County. The original southern boundary began 1 at the Gilmer County line, followed Sugar Creek westward, continued overland to Rock Creek when Sugar Creek turned south, and ended at the point where Rock Creek joined Holly Creek. Holly Creek forms the entire western boundary but the northern district line exists only on maps. This imaginary line goes straight across the eastern half of the county and separates Doolittle from McDonald District, often going through rough mountain terrain. Ramhurst and earlier communities like Dennis, Ramsey, and Rock Creek have been the centers of activity in the southern part of the district while the old village of Fort Mountain was once a bustling hamlet in the northern section of Doolittle. Other names of importance to Doolittle are Mt. Zion, Ml. Pisgah, Enoch, Fort Mountain, Holly Creek, Oak Grove, Roper's Pit, Chicken Creek, Reed's Pool, Peeples' Lake. Cold Spring Mountain, Cohutta Mountain, Chestnut Knob Mountain, Mountain View, and Tyson Springs.
While the history of the area is sketchy prior to the 1870s, white settlers were in the district possibly before 1800. When the Murray County School System was formed in 1877, four schools were operating in District No. 972. The teachers were E.J. Davis, M.G. Bates, Silas Harris and M.M. Leonard. In 1882 the District's teachers were S.H. Leonard. Miss M.M. Hill (later Mrs. Mash-burn Wells), and M.M. Keith. In the 1880's a school called "Short's" operated at an unknown location. Mr. Short taught there in 1880, Mrs. C. Short in 1881 and Miss Mary Maddox in 1884. In 1885 D.E. Griffith taught at a place called "Double Springs."
Nineteenth century school trustees for Doolittle included Uriah Duncan (1877-80), John S. King (1877-82), E. Leonard (1877-78), A.J. Leonard (1878-81). Richard Humphries (1880-82), J.A. Servel(?) (1881), A.K. Ramsey (1882), Dyer Keith (1882), S.E. Field (1883), Blair Adams (1883), Madison Holbrook (1884), D.E. Humphrey (1890-95), Benjamin Becton (1890-92), George Wilbanks (1892), and J.D. Love (1895).
Among the justices of the peace for the district were D.E. Humphreys (1880-82), Ira Griffith (1885-89), W.C.D. Gordon (1885-97), W.R. Tyson (1889-1917), O.D. Keith (1895-1905). William Peeples (1909-12), J.M. Quarles (1911), W.C.Groves (1912-28), T.J. Tyson (1919-21), Will D. Smith (1928-30), William A. Evans (1930-34). W.M. Middleton (1937-41), Hill Wilbanks, and Hazel Ramsey (1977-81).
Since Carters and Doolittle Districts were combined for voting purposes elections are held at Scott's old store across from Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church on old Highway 411.
The Ramhurst area was first known as Rock Creek and once encompassed a large area. As early as the 1830's Rock Creek was a postal drop-off point though it was not officially designated as a post office. Early county records reveal that in 1837 Robert Brown applied for a liquor license for his store at Rock Creek. The next year Brown & Wofford and John Edmondson with Rock Creek addresses applied for licenses.
As the years went by Rock Creek's area was vaguely delimited to a community near the head of Rock Creek in a secluded region east of the present Reed's Pool/Peeples Lake area. Rock Creek Baptist Church was in existence as early as the 1860's and into the 1890's. In 1870, it reported 33 members to the North Georgia Baptist Association, but did not send any messengers to the Association's annual convention. Rev. Shugart is mentioned as being a minister there. The church appears on maps into the late I880's and Rev. Daniel Hall preached there in the early 1890's. A Methodist group met in the area before 1850, but soon moved away.
Many people referred to this community as the "Hood Nailer Place" since Mr. Nailer was a well-known resident. A mill, a nursery, and a vineyard also existed at Rock Creek. Also in the vicinity for many years in the 1800's was the Hawkins and Durham store.
The school in the community had an uneven history and is identified in 1880 as "the school near Hood Nailer's." The next year Lafayette Simpson taught at a school "near the head of Rock Creek." This school is mentioned only twice more-in 1895 when it closed for a time, and in 1900 when J.H. Wells taught there.
To confuse matters, a school officially called Rock Creek was located on lot 1 (25th District, 2nd Section) before 1875, according to a deed from J.W. Simpson to J.G. Sproweli and others. This location would be near the Old Federal Road, northeast of Ramhurst. However, a map from the late 1880's places Rock Creek Academy below Rock Creek south of Ramhurst. Among the teachers here were M.C. Cunningham (1880), W.C. Martin (1884). James T. McEntire (1885), J.W. Wilson (1893), Miss Lizzie Keith (1894), W.D. Wilbanks (1895). M.L. Peeples (1896), and Miss Mina Tyson (1898).
In later years a Rock Creek School existed in other locations, once near the Peter McGill homeplace. Teachers at later Rock Creek schools were Price Bracket! (1916), Julia Mae Quarles (1917), Lula Butler (1919), J.H. Jackson (1932-33), Howard Whitener (1933-34). S.O. Williams and Kenneth HoweD 0935-36), and Bertha Lance (1936-37). In 1922 W.H. Watkins deeded 3 acres on lot 218 (26th District, 2nd Section) for a school.
The inhabitants of Rock Creek left behind a cemetery, sometimes called the Hall Cemetery since Mrs. John Hall was one of the last buried there. There are also believed to be graves on Fisher Creek near an old Thomton place and four or five burial plots near Stillhouse Branch. These places are not easily accessible today.
Ashort distance downstream from the Rock Creek community arose the thriving village of Dennis, Named for Dennis Johnson, postmaster and mill operator, the town was sometimes called Dennis Mill. Mr. Johnson was appointed postmaster when the office was established January 18, 1882. Succeeding Postal officials were John A. Patterson (1891-1900), John D. Calhoun (1900-01), John B. Gregory (1901-04), Seth A. Gregory (1904-05), and Major D. Terry (1905-06). The office closed in favor of the Ramhurst office.
Dennis also boasted a cotton "factory" and a store as well as its own school. The school was located on the Vess Worley place near the Stafford property. Teachers at Dennis included T.A. Keith (1891), Sallie Johnson (1893), W.L. Bowers (1894), W.W. Sampler (1895-97). and A.R. Howard (1900). Later the Dennis School was combined with Rock Creek and that school was moved nearer Dennis.
The center of activity was Dennis Mill. In 1974 Donald Gregory Jeane, a doctoral student at Louisiana State University, wrote a dissertation on grist milling in northwest Georgia. One of the Murray County mill sites he studied was Dennis. His description is as follows:
Dennis Mill in recent years.
"In addition to the mill there was a saw mill, a blacksmith's shop, a general store and post office, and, further up the creek, an old cotton mill. There was a mill darn and pond a half-mile farther up the creek. The creek itself is broad (10-15 feet) and shallow (8-10 inches) and (lows rapidly over a rock bottom. The concrete dam. about fifteen feet high was destroyed about ten years ago along with the mill pond." (1964)
Mr. Jeane also remarks that Dennis had an unusual mill race. A wooden trough carried water to the race which was "carved or blasted through solid rock. The race, following the ridge behind the mill, measured 8-10 feet wide and 6-8 feet deep at the beginning but reached a depth of more than 20 feet. Dennis Mill had two runs of stones, one fot grinding wheat and the other for corn-According to statistics included in the 1880 Census, Dennis Mill operated year around, had a 22-foot overshot wheel, and ground 4,264 bushels of wheat along with 408.000 pounds of cornmeal.
Mr. Johnson built the mill around 1869 and operated it for many years. Apparently whoever ran the mill also had the store and post office in most cases because Mr, Calhoun. John Gregory, and Mr. Terry are ail known to have been millers. Mr, Gregory moved his business to Chatswroth around 1905; Major Terry moved to Ramhurst in 1906. Mr. Dick Humphries also had a mill at one time.
Dennis Mill continued to grind some corn until about 1953, At one time Dennis had a small shoe factory and a tannery. Mrs. Edna Sampler Dunford, along-time area resident, remembered the Dennis Mill complex like this:
"The farmers saved their best white corn to be taken to Dennis Mill for grinding into meal. Some also raised wheat and took it to the mill for flour and graham flour, which made delicious biscuits.
Across the creek from the mill was a cave where copperas was mined for medicine, etc. Tanning bark was removed from the trees above the cave and was slid down the side of the mountain into the creek.
The mill pond that furnished water for the mill through a wood sluice was a great place for the local young folks to go swimming. If any girls went, someone would have to yell ahead so that the buys who might be swimming in the nude would have time to put on some clothes.
The pool was also a great picnic place and was at that time thought to be bottomless. The rouii that led to the pool crossed Rock Creek seven times and was a beautiful walk or ride, as the creek was lined with big beautiful rocks of different colors called calico rocks."
In the 1970's Dennis Mill once again became a beehive of activity as Judy and Angle Mix sponsored an Arts and Crafts Fair. Fairs in 1976 and 1977 were successful, featuring soapmaking. sorghum syrup making, glass blowing, art, handmade items, and many other crafts. By this time the mill, part of the race, and the foundation of the general store (west of the mill) were all that remained of the thriving Dennis community.
Many trails lead away from the mill site and out one of them is an old cemetery with one grave identified only as "My Baby 1792." This verifies that this is one of the oldest inhabited areas in Murray County.
North of Dennis Mill was the home of Mr. Johnson who built one of the largest barns ever constructed in the county. He raised horses and even had a racetrack around a small hill south of the barn. The home and farm were later owned by the Worleys and are now owned by the Surnmeys.
The former residents of the Dennis community also left behind a cemetery. Called the Parrot! Cemetery and located off an old, now-closed road north of the Summey place, this burial ground has few marked graves but many unmarked sites. Members of the Parrott. Watkins. Nix. Watts, and Morrison families are interred there.
Three physicians practiced in the area—Doctors Lovingood, Bates, and Stafford. Dr. Price Bates lived south of Dennis and had one of the first telephones in the vicinity. Dr. Elisha 0. Stafford lived on the Old Federal Road leading toward Ramhurst, His home was a long-time showplace and landmark. A former Civil War soldier. Dr. Stafford was a colorful old gentleman who dabbled in politics and community affairs in addition to his medical practice. The Butler family later owned the house which burned a few years ago. At one time Stafford was a drop-off point for the mail.
West of the Stafford Place was the Humphries Home, the residence of one of the oldest families in the area. Their house, built in 1848, is now owned by their Sampler descendants. A unique feature of the Humphries House was a small upstairs room called the "Preacher's Room" which was kept ready for use by any visiting ministers. The Humphries regularly traveled to services at Mt Zion in their shiny black "surrey with the fringe on top."
Though the Humphries were long-time faithful members at Mt. Zion, in ]870 Mr. D.E. Humphries is listed as a trustee, along with Dr. Stafford, James Z. Hemphill, and B.C. Giddens, for another Methodist church. This short-lived church was on land owned by William M. McEntire in lot 31 (25th District, 2nd Section) located south of Ramhurst.
The town of Ramhurst. at the forks of the Old Federal Road, was formerly called Ramsey in recognition of the A.K. Ramseys who were early residents of the area. In the 1830's Eli Boh'n applied for a liquor license near the place later named Ramsey. The Ramseys were long-respected citizens, frequent holders of political office, and farmers. In March. 1882, two months after the Dennis post office was established, Mr. Ramsey was appointed postmaster at Ramsey. He served in this capacity until the office was discontinued in 1904. Interestingly. The Ramsey mail was then again sent to Spring Place rather than Dennis. U.S. McNeal was a doctor at Ramsey in 1891 while John Quarles was a blacksmith in the same era.
Within a year after the Ramsey post office was closed the L & N Railroad came through Ramsey. Almost overnight the sleepy little village became a busting. busy town. Before another 3 years had passed a new town had been laid out. the post office re-established, numerous businesses and a depot constructed and several new houses built. By 1908 the town had an estimated population of 400!
In 1906 a new plat for the Town of Ramsey was drawn in lot 54 (8th District, 3rd Section). The name was soon changed to Ramhurst because another Ramsey post office existed elsewhere in Georgia and the mail got confused. Major Terry moved from Dennis and built a store at Ramhurst. He was appointed postmaster of the new town on October 29, 1906.
Other businesses quickly arose in Ramhurst. Among them were Bates Smith's store. Lum Smith's 15-room hotel, Henry Ratcliffs blacksmith and wagon repair shop (relocated from Dennis). Charlie Mitchell's store, Mrs. Nelson's Boarding House, and Harris Middleton's store (located south of Smith's). The
Terrys had a livery stable and rented rigs to travelers while Tom Ramsey owned a large warehouse south of the bridge near the railroad. Soon after this early growth T.J. Tyson sold monuments near Ramhurst. a cotton gin was established, and Amos Rogers had a store south of Middleton's across from the depot. Lee Griffith ran a store and grist mill for a time and Luke Leonard, Sr. also had a store on one occasion.
The major businesses in Ramhurst were the railroad and the Ramhurst Lumber Company. Around 1904-05 the depot was constructed. The railroad also built some of the first residences including a two-story house for the section foreman and a duplex for the railroad men on the west side of the tracks. Three operators and an agent were employed at the depot which boasted 24-hour telegraph services. The railroad also built a water tank to supply steam engines and a pump house on the creek. Harris Middleton and then Will Nelson ran the pump.
In 1907 Mr. Lumas and Mr. Blair of Chattanooga began the Ramhurst Lumber Company and soon employed a large number of workers. They bought land from Mrs. Ida Street, cut the timber, and then built four or five nouses on the east side for their foreman, superintendent, and other employees. Mr. Blair, Silas Chambers, and Mr. Wilkinson were among the residents. The lumber company built a store and put in a planing mill at their large lumberyard. Soon they had over a million feet of lumber stacked in the yard. Then, a side track was built for loading lumber, tanbark, and other products which were shipped all over the United States. The Chambers family was involved in the lumber business and cut many acres of timber on both sides of the railroad. The late R.E. Chambers remembered pines which were 3 or 4 feet in diameter passing through their sawmill. He also remembered when the Nelsons built the first bridge (wooden) over the railroad at Ramhurst. Until then (1907) residents had to detour south by the depot to get to the Federal Road. According to Mr. Chambers 1907-08 were the "boom-days" for Ramhurst. The town certainly had its heyday before World War 1. The lumber company closed about 1915.
Ramhurst had a Masonic Lodge and an Odd-Fellows Lodge. In 1911, membership in the Odd Fellows group was 91. The Chatsworth Times of April 4, 1918 described the formation of a Red Cross unit in Ramhurst. The newspaper account follows:
Murray county chapter of the American Red Cross is greatly strengthened by the organization of an auxiliary at the patriotic little city of Ramhurst. The people of Ramhursl and vicinity led the county at the beginning of the war savings stamps sales, and no doubt they will make other Red Cross organizations sit up and take notice.
At the organization meeting Mr. T.P. Ramsey was chosen chairman, with Mrs. Inez Kerr as secretary.
Mrs. J.W. Dooly has charge of the hospital garments and bandage making. All members who can give a little of their time to this important work, please see the directors in your district.
If you have not joined the Red Cross, don't wait for someone to ask you, but send your name and membership fee to the secretary.
New Members
Mrs. J.W. Dooly, Mrs. W.L. Fox, J.C. Osbom, Miss Nell Phillips, Miss Amelia Phillips. Miss Jennie Phillips, Miss Julia Mac Quarles, Miss Ruth Quarks, Miss Rachel Ramsey, Miss Fannie Ramsey. J.W. Dooly. C.F. Durham. J.D. Field, Miss Julia Humphrey, W.R. Fouts, R.G. Hood, Miss Pauline Rogers.
Mr. Charles Shriner, a teacher at several places in Murray County and the author of the 1911 county history, wrote this poem about Ramhurst:
RAMHURST
In Murray County stands a town
Of sterling worth and wide renown:
And wondrous things from year to year
Of Ramhurst, Ga. you will hear.
The L&Non many a car
Brings varied riches from afar,
And scatters wide through many lands
The products of our busy hands.
Our Lumber Co. - Loomis& Blair
Are shipping lumber everywhere,
Which brings in dollars right along
To pay for labor good and strong.
Out bustling merchants. Smith and Terry
Are good and generous, wise and wary;
They almost give their goods away
And still contrive to make it pay.
The Smith Hotel is hard to beat
For all who love good things to eat:
While other boarding houses good
Will furnish you the best of food.
If you should have a thirst for knowledge.
We point with pride to Ramhurst College:
And if for Gospel Truth you search
We recommend Mt. Pisgah Church.
Our many hustling farmers near.
Find market for their produce here:
While all our people, day by day,
Are storing wads of wealth away.
The only thing our people fear
If this goes on from year to year
We 'II be so rich some blessed minute
Old Rocky fellow won't be in it.
Area resident Edna Dunford wrote the following about Ramhurst in the early years:
The railroad ... was kept in shape by the section forman, A.H. Swanson, and hands who cleaned the right-of-way of weeds and bushes. The local train, called the Short Dog," because it had only two cars, went to Atlanta in the morning and back in the afternoon. The through trains, such as the Dixie Flyer, brought the mail but did not stop. The mailman on the train would hang the mail bag on a hook at the back of the Post Office as it passed by.
The bridge across the railroad at the Post Office was the meeting place for the local men to watch the mail train come in and wait for the mail to be distributed. In the meantime, they would hear the local news to take back home to their wives.
There were very few telephones then. The stores sold mostly staples-dry goods, coal oil, etc., as everyone raised most everything that was needed.
At hog-killing time, neighbors would help each other and would take home a mess of fresh meat for their trouble. The meat was cured at home, the sausage ground, scrapple and souse meat made; and the hams, shoulders, and side meat were salted and smoked. Sausage was packed into small homemade sacks and hung up to be cured.
Hominy and lye soap were made at home. The lye for them was made from ashes. The ashes for hominy were sieved into a small sack and put in the wash pot with the com and water, the lye causing the husks to come off the com. The ashes were put into a homemade wooden hopper, water poured over them and caught, to be used with grease for making lye soap. . .
Every so often a covered wagon would come over from Gilmer County making its rounds to the houses selling apples, such as old-fashioned Yates, and cabbage. There was nothing like the apples and cabbage grown in Gilmer County.
The ladies of Ramhurst would pick up spreads at the spread house and finish them at home. The spreads would be stamped and the thread furnished. The ladies would tuft them by hand. You could see them tufting on almost every porch.
After the close of the lumber mill and railroad business declined, Ramhurst suffered a decrease in population. By 1937 the town had "a post office, Western Union and prepaid freight stations, a population of 144 and an altitude of 800 feet." Two important events remembered by area residents are the 1926 tornado which "blew away" Ben Adams' house and a train wreck in February, 1949.
Harris Middleton was the second Ramhurst postmaster, serving from June. 1914 until his retirement on January 3, 1941. Mr. Middleton also had one of the first telephones in Ramhurst. Residents often went there to call the doctor. Wayne Westmorland served briefly as postmaster in 1941. Pauline Middleton Davis was postmistress twice, first from 1941 until 1947 and again from 1956 until the office closed in 1960. In the interim Anse Middleton was postmaster. The post office was off the Old Federal Road near the bridge.
J.A. Hemphill was an early rural letter carrier from Ramhurst. Marvin Middle-ton was a long-time carrier and when his sister, Nina, substituted for him in 1943. she became the first female carrier in the county.
In the 1950's a Ramhurst-Carters Home Demonstration Club was formed. Mrs. A.T. Miller was president in 1953 and other members included Mrs. John Home. Jr., Mrs. G.F. Dunston. Mrs. Ed Hemphill, Mrs. John Edward Hemphill, Mrs. Luke Blackwell. Mrs. Wilma Blackwell, Mrs. Charlie Sampler, Mrs. E.P. Bates. Mrs. A.N. Middleton, and Miss Mary Hemphill. Also, in the late 1950's. a Community Club was organized at Ramhurst through the County Extension Office. Officers of this group in 1958 were President Marvin Middleton. Vice-President Mrs. Pete Ramsey. Second Vice-President Mrs. Clint Johnson. Secretary-Treasurer John Edward Hemphill, and Reporter Mrs. Doug Meyer.
Ramhurst Elementary School enjoyed 60 years of operation. In 1908 T.P. Ramsey. Ida R. Street, and May R. Black deeded property "north of M.D. Terry's store" for a school. The next year a two-story frame building was constructed. Classes were held downstairs while the second floor was rented for use as a lodge hall. In 1948 the wooden building was replaced with a brick building which is still standing. The lumber from the old school was sold to Frederick Brown who used it to construct the Brown (now Peeples) Funeral Home in Chaisworth. As the other schools in this portion of the county were consolidated. Ramhurst School grew larger and in the 1950's an addition was built at the school. For many years several teachers were employed for each term.
Among the early teachers at Ramhurst were Jenny Terry. Blanche Salts. Will Smith. F.R. Kendrick, Julia Humphries (1916-17), Arthur Broadrick (1916), John Fields (1917). Ora Ingram (1929-30). Beatrice Hemphill (1929-30), Mrs. R.H. Bradley (1929-30). G.E. Luther (principal. 1932-33). Mrs. Estelle Middle-ton (1932-39, 1942. 1952-53, 1965-66). Nina Middleton (1934-35). Inez Kerr (1934-36). Charlie Pannell (1933-35), Ruth Ramsey (1933-39), Frankie Groves (1934-35), J.P. Mosteller (1934-35). Rachel Middleton Westmoreland (1934-38, 1947-50. 1952-57). and Edith Middleton Bradley.
Other teachers at Ramhurst and some of the years they taught were Wayne Westmoreland (1942). W.W. Sampler (194445. 1947-48), George Fuller(1944, 1947-50). Mrs. George Fuller (1947-48). Milma Earnest (1947-48. 1965-68). Helen Wilbanks (1947-48). Mrs. W.B. Adams (1949-50. 1952-53). Pauline Middleton (1949-50. 1952-53. 1956-57). Mrs. J.R. Long(1949-50). Mrs. Walter - (1949-50). Helen Alton (1952-53), Carolyn Anderson (1956-60), Uoroihv Howell (1956-57, 1967-68), Sara Bob Hix (1957-66). Douglas Meyer (1957-60. 1965-66), Jo Glenn Meyer (1957-60). Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Lewis (1959-60). and Harry Gibson, Miss Staples. Miss Wright. Miss Garnett, and Thomas Weeks all 1966-67. Supply teachers were Mrs. Marvin Middleton, Mattie Bagley, and Catherine Wilbanks, Mr. Hoke Jackson, a veteran educator, was principal at Ramhurst for several years including 1953-68. In 1969 the school was consolidated with Spring Place.
Trustees for Ramhurst Elementary included J.A. Hemphill (1921). W.D. Smith (1932). J.A. Williams (1932), Ed Owens, J.R. Middleton (1932). C.C. Mosteller (1934), Lee Blassingame (1947-48), T.P- Ramsey (1947-56), Elmer Hemphill (1947-56), Boyd Witherow (1948-53). John Home (1953-54), George Reed (1953-56). Mrs. Bill Dunstan (1953-55), ___Bumette (1948-49), ____ Middleton (1948-49), R.T. Springfield (1956), and T.C. Kendrick (1955-56).
In the 1950's Elmer Hemphill ran a store at the corner of old 411 and the old Federal Road. Upon his death in 1962, Ed Ramsey took over the store which became an area landmark during his and his wife Hazel's ownership. The store closed in 1977 upon Mrs. Ramsey's retirement.
For some time the Sluders have operated a lumber company west of Ramhurst. A service station and store once operated by the Wilbankses is now owned by the Clay Hamiltons. The community cemetery began as the Ramsey family burial ground and still carries that name.
Further west of Ramhurst two Churches of God have existed. The Ramhurst Church of God received property on lot 56 (8th District. 3rd Section) from T.A-Mosteller in 1947. M.A. Thomason and M.E. Wilson were overseers. The congregation later moved to Chatsworth. A few years earlier. R.C. Owenby deeded land in lot 24 (8th District, 3rd Section) to himself. Luther Hawkins. and _____ Wilson as trustees of a Church of God. This property adjoined the T.M-W right farm.
The Lower Oak Grove School was located northwest of Ramhurst on the road to Spring Place. Given the name "Lower" to distinguish it from a school in the Tenth District called Oak Grove, this school was also known as Groves School since that family lived nearby. Classes were held at the site as early as 1880 and soon religious services were held there as well. An 1884 deed to Oak Chapel School on lot 57 (8th District. 3rd Section) from A.J. Love to Trustees Jesse M. Holbrook. Ira Griffith and Joseph T. Phipps mentions that the school was already there. (An 1890 map shows the school on lot 51.) Early teachers here were R.G. Robertson (1881)- J-D. Varnell (1884), J.R. Keith (1891). Laura Humphrey (1892), Sam Jackson (1893-94). W.L. Bowers (1895-96), M.W. Shields (1897), and Giles Dunn (1899-1900).
The next existing school records call the school "Groves" and list Inez Kerr (1916), Mattie Charles (1917), Mildred Adams (1920). and Martha Holbrook (1929) as teachers. In 1931 Doss Strawn deeded 1 acre on lot 22 (8th District, 3rd Section), located north of the earlier site, "for school purposes only." The school was renamed Lower Oak Grove and the deed further identifies the property as "pan of an old Bradley place" near the intersection of the Spring Place and Love Roads. In 1935 the school burned and was rebuilt near the Adams home. Teachers included Frankie Groves (1932-33. 1936-37), Mattie Bagley (1933-34). Ainslee Vaughn (1935-36), Mrs. W.B. Adams (1937-38), .42-47), and Eloise Turner (1942). Trustees recorded for Lower Oak Grove £ 1932 were D. Strawn, James Springfield, and Hill Evans, In recent years Old ashion Baptist Church has been located off the Spring Place-Ramhurst Road 'n this community. Ron Stephens is pastor.
East of Ramhurst on the Old Federal Road is Mountain View Baptist Church, organized in March. 1939. The organizing presbytery included Moderator Noel Mix, Rev. F.A. Cochran. Rev. C.H. Davis. Deacon C.C. Gordon, and Deacon P.A. McGill who acted as clerk. Charter members were Elish Burger, Harley Vineyard, Fonzo Cochran. and Essie Cochran. Fred Cochran was elected moderator while Fonzo Cochran was elected clerk (an office he has held over 45 years).
The first church was a box structure. 24 x 28 feet, built on land donated by Elish Burger. Additional land was given by Clinton Lunsford, Bart Beavers, and Delia Crook until the church owned approximately 5 acres.
As the membership grew, a larger church was needed. In 1951 a block structure with a seating capacity of 280 was erected. Twenty-five years later with membership around 300 another sanctuary was needed. On the first Sunday in June. 1977 the congregation held their first service in a new church. The brick and block edifice cost $130.000 and will seat about 400 people.
Among the pastors of Mountain View have been H.O. Hensley, Arnold Adams. Berry Waters. Colie Lyles. Howard Rice. Sam Crumbley, Thurman High-tower. Monroe Steelman, Clinton Lunsford. Edward Winkler and Emmett Burgess.
Emmie Cochran was the first buried in the church cemetery in July 1940. While the main burial ground adjoins the church, an annex has been opened across the road from the church. /Information provided by Fonzo Cochran.}
Further up the Old Federal Road three churches have existed. In 1939 Mrs. W.J. Ensley and J.W. Ensley deeded property for a Church of God on land lot 306 (9th District. 3rd Section). A Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses was built on the east side of the highway in 1978. A House of Prayer was established on Jenkins Road, south of Highway 52.
Two prominent families in this "East Ramhurst" area were the Wilbankses and Reeds. Their family cemetery is located on the east side of the Old Federal Road. This burial ground is the final resting place of "Granny" Becky Reed who died in 1944 at the ripe age of 97.
A long-time landmark north of Ramhurst on old Highway 411 is Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. Established in 1849, the church's first home was a log building across the road from the present structure. Among the original 17 members were three Adams brothers (two of whom were Blair and James) and their families. The Ramseys gave the land for the church and were probably members also. Other early families were the Orange Parrotts. Morelands. T.C. Harpers. Torn Peepleses, Ben Hemphills. William Spruells. Wyatt Woodses. and John Groveses. James Adams was the first pastor.
The church was a member of the Middle Cherokee Association until 1861 at which time it withdrew and joined the North Georgia Baptist Association. In 1870 Mount Pisgah had 72 members including three blacks. Martin Isbell was pastor while Silas Harris and J.G. Spruell were among the leaders. Other pastors were Z.T. Manis. T.A. Higdon, N.L. Osborn. J.H. Phillips. Orange Parrott. W-A. Ellis. L.W. Osborne. E.J. Deweese. M.M. Bates. W.L. Brown. Jr.. W.R. Lackey, B.F. Foster, W.A. Woody, and W.M. Kelly. Pastors between 1944 and 1955 included W.A. Taylor. S.P. Chitwood. Ray Marler. Marvin L. Rice and J.Carlyle Pace.
The North Georgia Citizen of September 27. 1888 mentions that "a new Baptist church at Mt. Pisgah near Capt. A.K. Rarnsey's" had been built. The building had burned and a new frame structure was erected north of the present church. A deed from 1897 mentions A.N. Nix and B.B. Rector as deacons. This second church and early records were destroyed by a storm in 1955. In 1958 the present brick building was completed.
In 1972 Mt. Pisgah had 102 members. Three long-time members are Edna Jo Butler. Mittie Adams (who joined in 1918) and Pauline Hemphill. a member since 1915. More recent pastors have included Floyd Dugger. Douglas Meyer, B.F. Babb, Perry Broome. Alton Stephens, and Bill Barker.
A short distance north of Mt. Pisgah is another old church, Mt. Zion United Methodist. This congregation had its beginning as a prayer group near the old Rock Creek community and the church minutes of February I5, 1855 record the founding as follows:
"Rock Creek Society was organized in 1843 by the Rev. Daniel Crenshaw and consisted of only seven members at first. And the Lord prospered it greatly. A revival spread out in the direction of Holly Cteek. A meeting house was built on Sister Arnold's land in the year 1848 where the Rock Creek Church was moved and called Mount Zion. This was done under the ministry of William A. Simmons. We have thought proper to note these facts in this our large Church Book for the satisfaction of those that may live after we are dead, together with some statistics reaching to the date above."
Rev. Crenshaw was a circuit rider from North Carolina who visited the group in the spring and fall of each year. Rev. Elisha Tremble was pastor in 1850. In 1851 John Johnson deeded property in lot 309 (9th District. 3rd Section) to Jack Humphreys. John W. Leonard, Uriah H. Duncan. Isaac T, Leonard, and Thomas T. McMullen of the Mt. Zion M.E. Church.
In January of the next year an act of the Georgia Legislature created Mount Zion Academy with William Peeples, John Leonard. John Johnson, Uriah Dun-can, and Thomas J. McMullen as trustees. The act goes on to say
". . . that said Trustees, and their successors in office, constitute a body corporate and politic, capable and liable in law to sue and be sued, plead and be imp leaded, and shall make such by-laws for the government of said Academy as they may deem proper for its good management, not repugnant to the Constitution and Laws of this State or of the United States; that said Trustees have power to purchase, hold, sell and convey real estate Tor the use and benefit of said Academy, and fill all vacancies that may occur in said Board, and a majority of said Board shall be competent to transact any business connected with the management of said Academy."
Thus the first school at Mt. Zion was established.
Mt. Zion Academy was a successful institution for many years and became Mt. Zion School when the Murray County School System was begun. Mrs. Julia Humphreys was a teacher at Mt. Zion for some time. The North Georgia Citizen in 1881 recorded that "One of the most flourishing and successfully conducted schools in the county is taught in the 'state of Doolittle' by Mrs. Newton. Other teachers included J. Cole (1884), J.M. Christian (1891-92),___Waters, Mrs. C.C. Wright (1891, 1893), M.L. Peeples (1892), William Holland and Miss Holland (1894). Walker Adams (1895). and Samuel Jackson (1896-97).
In 1897 Thomas McCune deeded 1 ½ acres in lots 269 and 272 (9th and 3rd) to school trustees W.H. Duncan, AJ. Leonard and John C. King. School had formerly been held at the church. Beginning in 1899, and for many years after the turn of the century. Mr. W.D. Wilbanks was the teacher. In 1917-18 Miss Agnes Kemp taught at Mt. Zion. Three years later the school was consolidated with Chatsworth.
The church has continued to excell and in 1963 a new brick building was constructed across old 411 from the old wood building. Rev. J.C. Underwood was then the pastor. In recent years a pastorium was built next to the church.
Adjoining the church is the historic Mt. Zion Cemetery. Several Confederate veterans, community leaders, and officials are interred there. Some burials pre-date the Civil War with the oldest marked grave, that of Drewry B.Connally who died in 1853. On the north of the road going around the cemetery are several unmarked graves, believed to be slave burials.
Across from Mt. Zion Cemetery is the Cheek Family Cemetery. Mexican War veteran Thomas B. Cheek who died in 1850 is buried there. Several unmarked graves are also on this hill overlooking old Highway 411. There is said to be a Mathis Cemetery on Chicken Creek which flows east lowest below Mt. Zion,
Northwest of Mt. Zion on the L&N Railroad (near the present Murray County Land Fill) is Red's Crossing, named for the Red family who lived nearby. Not ar away, on the road connecting Red's Crossing with the Old Federal Road was the community of Enoch. Founded in the late 1890's, Enoch centered around the W.R. and Tom Tyson home located near some mineral springs. Will Peeples was a sawmiller in the community and the Tom Enlseys were residents also. W.R. Tyson was postmaster at Enoch from the date of establishment on September 24, 1903 until the office was discontinued in 1909 as rural free delivery began.
The major community in the upper part of Doolittle District was Fort Mountain described in 1900 as a "post-village" with a population of 77. William Carter served briefly as the first postmaster in 1876. Succeeding officials were Charles L. Hubbard (1876-1881), Mark M. Leonard (1881-1883), W.B. ____ (1883-1891). and L.D. Leonard (1891-1909). Wash Red once ran a store there, but the Doak Leonard store, site of the post office, was a long-time landmark. Henry Tankersley carried mail from Spring Place to Ellijay and dropped off the mail at Fort Mountain. Jerry Calhoun was a blacksmith in the community. TheNonh Georgia Citizen of 18S1 recorded that "S.E. King and W.D. Rogers are at work in the revived blacksmith shop at Fort Mountain." For a time, two grist mills operated at Fort Mountain-one on each side of the road. King and McHan's Mill, operating before 1880, was successful for some time. Feagan's Mill was also operating in 1880 but was later owned by Mr. Carnes. Two mill sites are now within the recent Mountain Acres development. Also in the area is a Leonard Family Cemetery, the final resting place of Mark M. Leonard who died in 1891.
In the 1930's, long-time resident Claude Ballew operated a "rolling store." This store on wheels provided many goods for those who were unable to go to Chatsworth. In more recent years the community's store has been Earl Hayes' Grocery on Highway 52. Earlier operators have included the Glen Adams', Doug Griffin, Bill Hensley, James and Geraldine Roberts and Solomon Douhne.
This community was long noted for its support of education. As early as the 1850's school was held at Holly Creek Church. Then, in the 1870's, the school became Fort Mountain Institute as evidenced by the following news brief from TheNonh Georgia Citizen of July 30, 1874:
County records refer to Fort Mountain School in 1880 and 1881 when Rev. John P. Dickey was the teacher. Other references are to the school at "Holly Creek Church" in 1881 with C.N. King as the teacher. Holly Creek is mentioned again in 1884 and 1885 when M.B. Harris followed by E.B. Smith taught there.
On March 1. 1886 Morgan Peoples deeded part of Land Lot 201 (9th District, 3rd Section) to Fort Mountain Institute. Located near the church, the school finally had a home of its own. Teachers here included Sallie Leonard (1891), Mrs. E.G. Wright (1892). D.E. Trimmier (1892-93),___Bennett (1895), C.H. Shriner (1895, 1899). A.S. Vining (1896), Will Latch and Am and a Pee pies (who became husband and wife, 1897), W.R. Smith (1898), W.H. Waiters (1899), R.S. Vining (1900). Bill Wilbanks. and A.R. Howard.
Mrs. Bessie Mae Adams is known as one of the best teachers Fort Mountain School, as it was then called, ever had. During her stint at the school (1916-1918), the building was repaired, new desks and a water pump were added, and the grounds were beautified. Mrs. Adams recalled that until then water had to be carried from a spring. She also said that some adults even attended the school, makeing enrollment even larger, and soon the literacy rate in the community had increased dramatically. A ball field was between the church and the school. Soon, Fort Mountain was one of the best rural schools in the county.
Among the others who taught here were F.R. Kendrick (1928-29, 32) Lizzie Swanson (1929-30, 33-34, 35-37), Ethel Heartsell (1933-34), Lucille Wilson (1934-35), Minnie Calhoun (1936-39), Milma Earnest (1838-39, 43), Stella Baxter (1942) Mrs. J. R. Middleton (1944) Jim Richardson (1945), and Estelle Search (1952) By this time the schol had moved a litte farther up the road to a new location.
Morgan Peeples was an early trustee of the school. Other trustees included Frank Watts, Clarence Davis (1932) W. L. Ballew (1934), Sam Buckner (1947-52), Claude Ballew (1947-50, J. C. Elrod (1950-52) and Price Rogers (1931, 1947-51). Efforts to consolidate Fort Mountain began in the 1940's and in 1952 the pupils from the school began attending classes at Chatsworth.
Another school whose location is unknown existed near Fort Mountain in the 1880's and 90's. Cohutta School was adopted in 1880. S.R. Beal was the teacher in 1881. In 1883 students from Holly Creek were sent to Cohutta. The school disappeared from records for 10 years until Mrs. E.C. Wright and D.C. Trimmier taught there in 1894, The school closed the next year.
Also, a school for blacks existed across from Fort Mountain school for a short time around 1935.
As the name of Fort Mountain faded more and more people began referring 'o !he area as the Holly Creek Community. The Holly Creek Baptist Church, founded in 1848, is certainly the oldest landmark in the area. The minister. Rev. James Adams, was a missionary for the Middle Cherokee Association at the time. Its first denominational membership was in the Middle Cherokee Association but before the beginning of North Georgia Baptist Association records in 1870 it had transferred membership to that association.
The minutes of the organization meeting were found in the back of an old church book by Ford Cochran. These minutes read: "The following is a traval of Holly Creek Church. It was constituted July 21, 1848. The following brethren met according to request- Elder James Adams, Edward McAbee and James Strawn . After prayer by Bro. Adams, they formed themselves into a presbytery called on the petitioners to present their letters, whereupon the following brethren and sisters came forward: Males. Joseph Terry. Samuel Yates. William Jackson, Caleb Holland, and Reuben Emery; Females. Dovina Terry. Constantine Terry, Wysette Terry. Lucy Jackson, Elizabeth Holland, Sarrah Emery, Elizabeth Emery. Nancy Black. Julia Ann Terry and Lydia Yates.
"They called for abstract of principles, whereupon they presented the faith of the Middle Cherokee Association and after examination, found them to be orthodox; and the presbytery pronounced them a church, singing a hymn and extending the right hand of fellowship. They proceeded to ordain a deacon, whereupon the church presented Bro. William Jackson and, finding him in the work, proceeded to ordain by prayer and laying on of the hands of the presbytery; prayer by Elder James Strawn. the charge delivered by Elder James Adams."
Holly Creek is listed in the Middle Cherokee minutes of 1848 with James Strawn as pastor, address Spring Place, no baptisms, no letters. 16 members (listed above), 75 cents given on the minutes, and $I given for domestic Missions (Home Missions today). In 1849 minutes they are again listed with James Strawn pastor. 3 received by baptism. 4 received by letter. 21 members, and 75 cents given on the minutes.
J.M. Wood was pastor in 1850 and Joseph Terry could have also been an early pastor. In 1870 the church had 57 members and Martin Isbell was the pastor. Messengers to the North Georgia Baptist Association that year were William Jackson, A. McHan. and G.S. Acles(?). Succeeding pastors have been Revs. J.H. Phillips (1881-82). W.H. Ellis (1882-83), W.N. Haskin (1883-84), J.P. Fore (1885-88), E.J. Deweese (1888-98). J.W. Parker (1899-1901), William McNabb (1902-04), James Austin (1905-06), David Smith (1906-07), W.A. Woody (1907-08), E.G. Davis (1908-15, 1917-18.& 1931-33). S.M. Hair (1916-17). D.G. Penland (1920-21). W.E. Self (1921-27). W.E. Chadwick (1927-28), M.O. Casey (1928-30), J.M. Owens (1930-33), H.C. Hensley (1934-36, 1938, 1948-50). W.A. Campbell (1937). Edd Payne (1939-48), Milas Winkler (1951-54), Arnold Adams (1957-58). J.D. Cox (1958-66). Raymond Ballew (1966-73). Bill Worley. Ted Mace, and Damon Smith.
Holly Creek has had several houses of worship. The first structure was located some 300 yards back of the present building and was also used as a school according to the deed from Duncan Terry to the church dated December 11, 1855. No records indicate when the next meeting house was constructed of hand-dressed lumber. This second church was torn down in 1917 and a new meeting house built about 100 yards away. In 1946 the third building burned and for the next 2 years services were held under a tent near John Calhoun's residence.
In 1948 the existing rock sanctuary was built on the site of the previous structure. A six-room Sunday school addition was built in 1954-55. Drinking water was carried from a nearby spring until 1958 when city water was installed. More Sunday school rooms were added in 1960-61, and again in 1969, along with a pastor's study. By 1972 the church had 645 members. In 1974 a new pastorium was dedicated and membership totaled over 700 in 1978.
In December. 1983 Holly Creek members occupied their new sanctuary which has a seating capacity of 475. Members of the building committee for the $267.000 project were Mike Long, Randall Roper, Lester Ledford. Grady Burgess. James C. Ridley. and Damon Smith. Dedication services were held in April. 1984.
Adjoining the church is the well-kept Holly Creek Cemetery, the final resting place of many early residents of the area. With several 19th century burials, the cemetery has expanded a great deal in recent years.
Holly Creek's charter deacon, William Jackson (1798-1872), is buried on his old farm south of Highway 52 off the Jenkins Road. Other family members interred there include his wife Lucy (1800-1887), Sallie Jackson (1820-1900). Benjamin Jackson (1945-1863). Thomas A. Jackson (1836-1869) and a McCune infant who died in 1880.
George C. Terry once had a store and business on the Old Federal Road north of Holly Creek/Fort Mountain. He applied for a liquor license in the late 1830's.
Mountains are the predominant geographic features of Doolittle District. Fort Mountain, named for an old stone structure long believed to have been a fort, rises to a height of over 2.800 feet and is part of the Comma Range. A peak in the south part of the State Park is also named Cohutta and rises some 2,700 teet above sea level. Cohutta was sometimes called Frog Mountain, according to one source. The name Cohutta is an English translation of the Cherokee word "Ga hu ta' yi" or "Ga hun ti" which means "a shed roof supported on Poles." Apparently this refers to the mountains seemingly supporting the "roof of sky when viewed from a distance.
The rocks of the mountains are chiefly resistant quartzites and schists, and '* part of an overthrust mass older than those rocks in the valley below. Cold Pring and Chestnut Knob are other peaks. Numerous streams, such as Stillhouse Branch where a "government still" was located and mineral springs, are found in the mountains. They are also rich in mineral deposits (particularly talc) and many fossils have been discovered there as well. Many acres of Murray County mountain land are within the Chattahoochee National Forest, established in 1936.
Accounts of the wall on Fort Mountain's origin are varied, confusing and even contradictory in details. The wall is about 885 feet long (though some publications list it as 928 feet or even over 1,000 feet) and has a base of about 12 feet. Most sources say the wall is 2-3 feet high but believe that it was probably higher in the beginning. At fairly regular intervals in the walls are 29 pits whose purpose is not known. Bending irregularly as it stretches from one steep precipice to another, the wall once had a gateway which is now closed by fallen stones. This gate is thought to have led to a spring some yards away. The wall, bounded on both sides by sheer cliffs, has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
For many years the most popular theory about the wall's origin was that the Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto built the wall in 1540 as a means of protection against the Cherokees. However, upon examination of the records of DeSoto's travels, this theory has been destroyed. While he did come into Murray County at least as far as Guaxile near present-day Carters, there is no proof that he went northward to the mountain. Even if he had. he would have had no need to build a fort since the Cherokees were not hostile to the Spaniards nor would these explorers have had time to build the wall since he was only in the area for 2 days!
Another theory is that later explorers (like deLuna. Juan Pardo, or Boyano) built the wall for piotection from Indians as they searched for the gold and silver mentioned in DeSoto's reports. Other traditions say that the fort is the work of British agents who were stationed at Spring Place during the Revolution Or that a long-ago band of "desperadoes" used the walled area as their headquarters. One person mentioned the possibility that the wall was not man-made at all but was "a natural wonder!'' The list goes on to include a possible French builder and a Norse origin.
Another theory which received support for many years was that Welshmen under Prince Madoc who reached Mobile Bay about 1170, moved northward, and eventually built the wall. Legends both in Welsh and among the Cherokees say that Welsh explorers crossed the "Great Waters." intermarried with Indians, and began the Welsh Indians or Mandan tribe. The supporters of this theory note similarities in custom, language, physical features, and fort construction between the Welsh and the Indians. Prince Madoc has been linked to other stone markings in the southeast.
Some "authorities" feel that the wall is definitely of European origin while others write that it could only have been built by Indians. In fact, many scholars say that the wall was not a fort at all and yet others laud the military characteristics of the wall. One even called it "possibly the oldest fortification of North America,"
The pro-fort theorists remark that the wall was well designed with bastions that protected all parts of the structure and since it was bordered by vertical cliffs near the highest point of the mountain, it was a perfect fortification. An early state geologist felt that "there were originally not less than twelve walls in this defensive stronghold."
The "anti-fort" believers quickly point out that such a barrier would require a large army to defend it. that other approaches were unprotected, and the water supply was too far away. They say the pits in the wall were made in the last 100 years by treasure and relic hunters. Futhermore, no war implements were found during the brief excavations in the area and also Indians did not usually fight from fixed positions. Archeologist Warren K. Moorehead explained the absence of weaponry by saying that a large number of Indians, pressured by enemies, built the fort quickly but then were never attached. Thus the fort was not actually used. However, others wrote that it took some time to build a fort like this, incorporating several boulders too large to move and piling rocks together so firmly.
Scholars like Mr, Moorehead feel that the wall is certainly of Indian origin and Cherokee legends record that a "moon-eyed" people much older than the Cherokees built the wall. So named because they could see better at night, the moon-eyed people were blue-eyed and had very light skin. They could have been the offspring of Welsh-Indian intermarriages or merely descendants of the legendary Welshmen who ran away from hostile Indians. Some consider them an albino race which were allowed to stay on the land even after other Indians came to the area.
These early Indians left behind "Beehive Cliffs" and a mysterious cave on the east side of Fort Mountain. Also, numerous rock huts are scattered throughout the mountains and along Rock Creek.
A more realistic explanation of the wall's construction is that these or unknown Indians built the wall about 500 A.D. for religious or ceremonial purposes. Since the wall follows a roughly east-to-west direction, this could be connected with the sun's daily journey across the sky. The religious theory also explains the absence of artifacts since Indians took all possessions or relics with them when they moved from one worship place to another. A newer theory is that the area could have been part of an Indian athletic field.
An important thing to remember is that the wall on Fort Mountain is not a one-of-a-kind structure. Numerous walls of similar construction are scattered across Georgia and into other states. Other rock walls which are made and look like the "fort" exist even in Murray County. Located north of Fort Mountain off the Cool Springs Road, these walls were built by early Russell and Gregory settlers (or their slaves) as fences or property lines on several acres of land. (A cemetery is located "down the mountain" from the State Park entrance east of one of these other rock walls. Unfortunately there are no marked burials.)
In addition to the many stories told about the origins of the fort, many legends concerning gold mines on the mountain exist as well. Many early residents report that the Indians mined gold (and possibly copper) in the area before the removal. Several accounts of an old Indian who came back years later searching for the lost mines have been recorded, too. In some versions the Indian never found the mines while in others he did and told the location to area residents (such as Jim Sellers and Jim Mullins) who were unable to find the spot again.
Another story is told about two Civil War soldiers. Pence and Wells, who found gold east of Fort Mountain while on furlough. They agreed to return to the spot after the war and form a gold mining partnership. According to members of the Earnest family the gold was near "Mundic" Bluff Branch between Emery Branch on Lot 188 and the "Buck Hole" on Lot 226. One of the men never returned from the war while the other, though he searched diligently, was unable to relocate the spot. The "Pence Gold Mine" remains lost though some say that a "waybill" transferred the rights to the gold to a Mr. Carroll who gave it to a Mr. Rogers who then gave it to Dan Earnest. As late as the 1930's people still hunted for the mine.
People searched for gold including James P. Cole who was killed when he fell off the mountain while prospecting in 1885. Within a few years of Cole's death a "legal tender" gold mine, located at the northern edge of the mountain, appears on a map. This meant that the ore could be used by the government to make coins. A mine was also located on the western side of the mountain and around the turn of the century the Cohutta Gold Mining Company was in operation. Little is known about the company except that Sam Carter had $1500 of stock in the company. Dr. Price Bates was a stockholder, but sold his shares soon after. Dr. Bates was wise to do so because by 1907 the company folded. According to Mr. R.E. Chambers enough gold had been found to warrant investments in an engine, a boiler, and a stamp mill. Three pits were dug from which the ore was hoisted using power from the engine. Many feet of pipe were purchased for the purpose. Mr. Chambers recalled seeing the idle machinery in 1909. He said that the scene looked as if the work had just stopped at the close of a day. The machinery remained at the site until it was sold for scrap iron during World War I. A shanty stood at the site for many years afterwards. One reason that the mine closed was lack of funds. Another reason was the ore was too scattered 10 mine easily and profitably.
Fort Mountain State Park began in 1934 when Ivan Alien, Sr. of Atlanta donated 219 acres to the State. By the next year the road across the mountain (named the Henry Grady Highway) and the tower were completed and the State Park established. Mr. Alien, a Dalton native whose maternal ancestors had been residents of Spring Place, had long loved the mountain. In 1926 he purchased the property and planned to develop Fort Mountain into a resort area with a luxury hotel, golf course, campsites, and summer cabins. He abandoned this idea in favor of state ownership and operation. Then with the assistance of another Daltonian. Mrs. M.E, Judd. and Murray Countian V.C. Pickering. Mr. Allen led the fight to obtain additional acreage to establish the park. At the time Mrs. Judd was a member of both the State Park Authority and the State Forestry Board. Fain Wilson and Noel Steed were also involved with a "Fort Mountain Association" which raised $9.000 to buy more land. The Chatsworth Lions Club sponsored the effort.
Eventually 1,897 acres became part of the park. The Civilian Conservation Corp began developing the area. The Dalton Citizen of July 14,1938 recorded a special ceremony held at Fort Mountain to commemorate the resumption of work there. Governor E.D. Rivers was the guest speaker and remarked that "the present-day tendency toward shorter working hours provided more leisure time, but that a large portion of the people could not afford [long) trips.. ."Therefore the State was expanding its recreation facilities. Twenty-four Georgia counties were represented at the celebration. Murray Countian "Colonel" C.N. King was master of ceremonies. Others on the program included Congressman Malcolm Tarver. Atlanta Mayor W.B. Hartsfield, Chatsworth Mayor R.H. Bradley, and Mr. Allen.
As the years passed Fort Mountain boasted a 17-acre lake, nature frails, cabins, campsites, picnic facilities, boating, beach and swimming areas, a "radi relay tower" (1960), and in the 1960's became the home of Georgia PubU Television's station WCLP. Under the Department of Natural Resources, the park was visited by thousands of people each year. Recent park superintendents have been Tom Winkler, Tom Carter, and Wayne Escoe. In 1971 the tower burned and 10 years later the lake was drained so that improvements could be made and the dam repaired. Recently the tower was rebuilt and Fort Mountain State Park continues to bring many tourists to Murray County.
East of the park is the Cohutta Lodge and Restaurant, Fort Mountain Estates subdivision, and the Fort Mountain Craft Village. This development was begun by Hugh McDaniel who purchased the property in 1972. The lodge opened in 1974 and an addition was completed in 1979. During the spring and summer but particularly during the fail color season, the lodge is frequently filled to capacity. Several families make their home in the subdivision and a special fair is held in the craft village each September.
Soon after the establishment of the lodge and subdivision an attempt was made to incorporate the area as the City of Fort Mountain, However, the 1975 bill was vetoed by the governor since the proposed city did not have 200 permanent residents. In 1980 there was also a move to begin a Presbyterian church for area residents.
In the middle 1970's Fort Mountain became the home of transmission facilities for WQMT. an FM radio station, Calvin Means was associated with the business for some time as manager. WQMT is Murray County's only radio station.
Fort Mountain and all of Doolittle District is rich in history, beauty, nature, and people.
Murray County Heritage