Georgia Natural Wonder #99 - Helen (Part 2). 1,290

[Top Row Dawg]

Georgia Natural Wonder #99 -  Helen (Part 2)

Helen is a small community in the heart of Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains. In the late 1960s its residents transformed this economically depressed town, long since abandoned by the timber industry that had created it, into a Bavarian village of shops and restaurants that is now the third most popular tourist destination in the state; only Atlanta and Savannah attract more visitors annually.


A lot of these photographs are my own today.

Located on the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River at the edge of the Nacoochee Valley in White County, Helen is about sixty miles north of Athens. It emerged in the early twentieth century in what had been, a century earlier, the heart of both Cherokee and gold mining country. The Byrd-Matthews Corporation, a timber company attracted by the area's vast virgin hardwood trees, established a major sawmill there around 1910.



For almost 20 years northeast Georgia fueled the lumber needs of the Midwest through this sawmill, the largest mill in the state. There were others, including the Gannett Brothers and The Vogels, who cut thousands of acres of Georgia forest, but it was the Byrd-Mathews plant that employed the most people and cut the most lumber. From the Tallulah River watershed to Blood Mountain, and stretching into North Carolina, Byrd-Mathews employees, called "wood hicks" in the jargon of the day, would send trees to the plant via the Chattahoochee River or a short line railroad built by the company.



Shortly afterward a railroad connector linked the new town to Gainesville in the foothills to the south. This abandoned railway went from a connection with the Gainesville Midland in Gainesville to North Helen, and was built in the 1912-1914 time period. It went through these towns: New Holland, Clark, Autry, Dewberry, Brookton, Clermont, County Line, Campground, Meldean, Cleveland, Asbestos, Mt. Yonah, Yonah, Nacoochee, and Helen. The line was abandoned in 1932 - 1933.



Helen was platted in 1912, and named named Helen McComb after the daughter of a Byrd-Matthews lumber official partner. The town was incorporated in 1913. The boon from the forest lasted for 10 years, but when the forests were stripped, work dried up. The sawmills vanished or were greatly reduced in size and the U. S. government purchased much of the land. The operation thrived until the Great Depression, when most of the timber had been cut and the company and most residents moved on to more promising forests elsewhere. With the Great Depression came Franklin Delano Roosevelt and with Mr. Roosevelt came his Tree Army, the Civilian Conservation Corps. Camp Robertson, which was located in present-day Unicoi State Park at the bottom of the lake, was responsible for the reforestation of White County.


Camp Robertson CCC.

By the 1950s and 1960s the town was nothing more than a bleak row of concrete block structures and supported only nine businesses.


Helen early 1900’s.

In 1968 a group of local businessmen met for what has become a legendary lunch. In seeking to stop some of the considerable traffic that moved through Helen on the way to the mountains and waterfalls beyond, they came upon the idea of sprucing up their storefronts. They consulted John Kollock, a prominent regional artist in nearby Clarkesville. Inspired by his 1950s military service in southern Germany, he suggested that they transform their business district into a Bavarian village and presented them with a series of watercolors suggesting what the town could become.


Kollock at a fund raising event in Helen.

The city resurrected itself by becoming a replica of a Bavarian alpine town, in the Appalachians instead of the Alps. This design is mandated through zoning first adopted in 1969, so that the classic south-German style is present on every building, even on the small number of national franchisees present (such as Huddle House and Wendy's).


Helen 1968.


Helen 1969.

Led by Pete Hodkinson, local merchants rallied. By 1972 Kollock's paintings had taken tangible form, and a trickle of curious visitors soon became a flood.


Pete 1975.

Hodkinson, as much a visionary as an entrepreneur, infused the enterprise with as much a spirit of fun as of place. He drew crowds to Helen throughout the year by staging hot-air balloon races, motorcycle races, Easter olive hunts, and what remains the biggest annual event, a three-month-long Oktoberfest.











Hodkinson was killed in a balloon accident in 1976.


Pete's "Swiss Cross" balloon over downtown - 1975

Events and festivals are held throughout the year, including the 'Southern Worthersee', which is a stateside Volkswagen and Audi event that pays tribute to the Worthersee Tour in Austria.



An annual hot-air balloon race is also held here on the first weekend in June. The South's oldest balloon event and the United States' only long distance hot air balloon race will begin (weather permitting) with a mass ascension of  around 20 bright and colorful hot air balloons, in North Georgia's Alpine Village - Helen. 



Race competitors and local flyers will take to the sky at 7:00 am, Thursday, May 30, 2019. The winner is the first person to cross I-95, or whoever is ahead at sunset on Friday, May 31, 2019.





The main road through town is north/south Georgia 75. A parallel route to the west is labeled Georgia 75 Alt to identify it as a bypass route around the town and its traffic jams in the autumn and on some weekends


Carriage best way to get around Helen.

Nearby Anna Ruby Falls, Unicoi State Park, and other natural attractions contribute to Helen's appeal, as does the Chattahoochee River, which flows through the middle of town and draws tubers and fishermen as well as shoppers to the community.


Traffic Jam on the Hooch.

Tourism is a key economic activity in Helen catering mostly to weekend visitors from the Atlanta area and also motorcyclists who enjoy riding the roads in Helen and its surrounding areas.



Wine-making is a growing industry in the area, and Habersham Vineyards and Winery, one of the state's oldest wineries, is in Helen.



In 2000 Helen's residents numbered only 430, and yet the town supports more than 150 shops, 30 factory outlets, about 40 restaurants, and nearly 1,200 hotel rooms. Most buildings still display chalet facades and red roofs, sales clerks still wear lederhosen and dirndls, and several restaurants still serve wiener schnitzel and sauerbraten.



Many question Helen's rampant commercialism and its failure to focus more attention on its own Appalachian history and culture, rather than that of the German Alps.



Yet, on its own terms, it is hard to deny its economic success. In recent years Helen has attracted as many as 1.5 million tourists a year, who spend more than $100 million annually in White County.



OK, I have some addendums but a lot are covered in these Trip Adviser top rated tourist attractions….



Things to Do

Alpine Extreme Speed

My god this was fun. $20 years ago, but they turn you loose for 15 minutes in these kick ass carts as you fishtail across the slick smooth cement floor. 15 minutes was all I could take, I was exhausted.



Haunted Helen

There is a haunted house right by the Go carts, not sure if still in business. Right next door was were the Elvis Show was. This might should be under Vanishing Helen section.



Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf

Many a round played on all these Putt Putt courses with the kids.


Googled all over for a good photo as mine was blurry, the best I found was these mountain youngsters posing.

Cool River Tubing and Adventures

This is the green tubes. Big rope climbing structure at put in above Flea Market.





Drive up that dirt road for 17 miles through Mark Trail Wilderness, a future GNW for Horse Trough Falls.


Horse Trough Falls

Outpost Gold and Gem

Alpine Mini Golf



3 miniature golf courses in Helen, Pirates Cove by Oktoberfest Hall and one at beginning of town from Cleveland, last up on hill overlooking town.



Bavarian Mountain Miniature Golf

Dukes Creek Gold & Ruby Mines

Alpine Tubing and Water Park

These are the Pink tubes and there is a Water Slide below the take out.



Nora Mill Granary

Below the town great for jams and jellies.







Nacoochee Village Antique Mall



The Christmas Shoppe

This use to be the focal point of Helen when it was downtown, the line was 1 hour to get in. That part of Helen was burned, but rebuilt with the store down the street now. Expensive imported ornaments, don't let your kids or grand kids run wild.






Back when it was downtown.

Charlemagne's Kingdom

One of my favorite places in Helen. The wife of the creator passed away and the husband sold it to a young gal. A relief 3-D map of Germany with tiny trains - people - buildings - animals - daily scenes of the entire country of Germany. Very whimsical and technically a masterpiece. New gal needs to get all the trains running again.











Hardman Farm

Stovall Mill Covered Bridge



Romeo and Juliet Indian Mound Tragedy Site

I don’t know the romantic tragedy story, but this is the only remnant of a vast Indian settlement at one time. De Soto mentions coming here, gold found on Dukes Creek 100 yards south of this field.



Old Sautee Store

A landmark, a treasure, a must see for all reading this post and going to Helen. This has been here since Unicoi Turnpike days.







Paul's Steakhouse

Since 1965 Paul's Steakhouse has been well-regarded for its seared steaks, cooked to perfection.

Paul's Margarita Deck

The deck overlooking the river.





Live music at night. This is probably the best night spot in Helen. Although there are others. (Hayloft Bar and Grill - Cowboy's and Angel's)

The Pickled Peach

Village Peddler Women's Boutique and Cabin Decor

The Willows Pottery

Tims wooden toys

Hansel and Gretel Candy Kitchen



Oh man, they make the fudge in front of you, letting it cool on the marble counters. White chocolate is the best.



Lindenhaus Imports

Alpine Olive Tree

Wildewood

Great place to park your car back here.



The Glassblowing Shop

Windmill Dutch Imports



Glass Mountain Gallery & Studio

Jolly's Toys



Jerky Snack Shack

ZuZu's Petals Rock Shop



Helenbach Winehause & Candle Boutique

JumpinGoat Coffee Roasters Gifting

The Goats on the Roof has closed, but this place is still jumping, even though there are no goats.



Unicoi Outfitters



Skylake Galleries

My Team Store

Brookstown Fudge



The Painted Pony

Rollin Acres Collectibles

A Touch of Class

Oktoberfest Hall

Bingo all year.





But for three months it is alive with Chicken dances





Restaurants

Muller's Famous Fried

Hofer's of Helen



Bodensee Restaurant

Betty's Country Store


Best local convenience store without having to drive to Cleveland.

Spice 55

Mully's Nacoochee Grill

Cowboys & Angels Restaurant and Bar



The Nacoochee Village Tavern & Pizzeria

North Georgia Barbeque

Right by Alpine Tubing put in. Great lunch.


Northern most palm tree in Georgia.

Bigg Daddys Restaurant and Tavern

Cimmi's Cafe

Old Heidelberg German Restaurant & Pub



La Cabana Mexican Restaurant

Old Bavaria Inn and Restaurant



Cafe International



The deck looks out over the main rapid of the downtown Helen float.





Main rapids.



Hofbrauhaus Restaurant GI Pub



King Ludwig's Beer Garden



Troll Tavern

Under the bridge just like trolls.







Caledonia Dining Room at Valhalla Resort

Kopper Kettle Fudge

Scoop de Scoop

Catch 22 Helen

Granny's Famous Funnel Cake Haus

Mmm Funnel Cakes.



Two Tire Tavern



Ain't B's Bakery

Chattahoochee Dog Haus

Alpine Hot Dog & Grill Burger



Innsbruck Bar & Grill

The Loft Tavern & Grill



Golfing

Innsbruck Golf Club



Mossy Creek Golf Club

Vanishing Helen



Goats on the Roof




The Bear Zoo.


PETA got the bears I am reading.

Not a top attraction, the Flea Market.



Lodging

Ton of cheap and not so cheap places to stay in Helen. We always stay in a time share at Loreley Resort. The Helendorf has the prettiest mural.



It's great just to hang around downtown and take in the sights and smells (Fudge - Funnel cakes)







Oh man I know I am forgetting a lot - if anybody has some addendum's, I can always add them to the Forum post. One last quirky thing about Helen. I got up early Sunday and was wandering around and stumbled upon all these domesticated rabbits running free in grassy parking lots downtown, much like this YouTube.



Farewell Helen


Take the leap and see Helen this summer.

Our GNW gal for today!