Demographics

Nestled in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains, Hall County is bordered by the shores of Lake Lanier to the west and Banks County to the east. Census 2000 data shows a total population of 139,277, with 53,036 households and 39,994 families residing in Hall County. According to the 2005 Census Estimate, Hall County's population grew to 163,204, over a 17% increase since 2000. Hall County's median home value in 2000 was $155,300.

History

Hall County was created on December 15, 1818 from Cherokee lands ceded by the Treaty of Cherokee Agency (1817) and Treaty of Washington (1819). The county's namesake was Dr. Lyman Hall, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and governor of Georgia as both colony and state.

The history of Hall County was not based in the traditional, Southern plantation culture. Oddly enough, Hall was a frontier "boom town" and trading and supply center for the country's first gold rush. Founded in 1818, Hall served as the trading center of Northeast Georgia. Settlers rushed to Gainesville to land homesteads in the hills previously inhabited by the Cherokee Indians. In 1829, the discovery of gold in Lumpkin and White Counties established Gainesville as the trading and supply hub for the South's gold rush. Miners eventually left for California in the mid-1800s, but growth continued as Gainesville then became a hub for the farming industry.

When the Atlanta and Charlotte Air Line Railroad opened in 1871, growth surged and the area developed as a mountain summer resort. Local springs were said to have special health-enhancing qualities and to boost resistance to fever that plagued the South's coastal areas. Gainesville became known as the “Great Health Resort of the South.” With that reputation came the region's first hospital, college and military academy along with a well-established cultural base - all still a part of Gainesville today.

With the arrival in 1900 of its first large industry, cotton mills, Gainesville also became the major shipping point for harvested and milled lumber from the mountains to the north. The county's economy suffered during the Great Depression. Nature also took its toll: infestation of the boll weevil impacted the cotton industry, the Chestnut blight caused a decline in lumber shipment, and the nation's second-deadliest tornado struck Gainesville in 1936. After World War II, the area economy recovered. Cotton was out and poultry was in as the local cash crop. New industries sprouted up to support production and processing of chickens and eggs.

Buford Dam, built in South Hall by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1950s, created 38,000-acre Lake Lanier with its 540 miles of shoreline. Millions of visitors visit each year to enjoy recreational water sports provided by the lake.

Lifestyle

Hall County has established itself as the epicenter of Northeast Georgia: its banking and financial center; the regional seat of the Federal Court; the health center with the region's largest major hospital; the educational center, with a university and two colleges, a military academy, two public school systems and several prominent private schools; the sports center, with headquarters of the Atlanta Falcons, Road Atlanta, Olympic rowing and canoe/kayak facilities, championship golf courses and a multitude of public parks and camping areas; the arts center, with cultural organizations, societies, groups and clubs. Gainesville is a unique place to live; while rich in its history, the area continues to progress and evolve.

Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping

Patronize the many restaurants and specialty shops found in Historic Downtown Gainesville, recently designated one of Georgia's ten “Cities of Excellence.“ Visit the arts center housed in a restored train depot.

Originally built in 1886, the new Gainesville's Main Street Marketplace opened for business in December, 2002. The busy, open air market features unique shops and an atrium showcasing artworks of local artists.

Banks Crossing is one of the of the most visited outlet centers in the South. Banks Crossing offers over 150 stores with over 1-million square feet of manufacturer-direct outlet shopping. The shops at Banks Crossing are located on Hwy 441 in Commerce, Georgia.

Arts and Culture

Many performing arts groups call Hall County home, including a symphony orchestra, jazz band, and two major performing arts groups. Hall County also boasts, several visual arts galleries – Brenau University Galleries, Gainesville College Art Gallery, and Quinlan Visual Arts Center – featuring both local artists and touring exhibits, and two dance ensembles.

Located in a train station built circa 1914, the Smithgall Arts Center serves as information hub of the arts for Gainesville, Hall County and the Northeast Georgia region, the Arts Council, and the umbrella organization for the area's 25-plus arts-related groups.

Hewell's Pottery

Hewell's Pottery is one of the largest suppliers of horticultural ware – flower and strawberry pots and gardenware – to the East and Midwest U.S. and Canada. Since 1850, he family has been mining what they call “Hewell's Gold”– Georgia clay – for their clay creations. Today, four generations of the Hewell family turn pottery in a 10-wheel shop on the site where the operation relocated in 1965, producing various pottery, clay jack-o-lanterns, and their patented Georgia face jugs. The face jugs, now collectibles, were originally done to mark the graves of slaves.

On the first Saturday of October each year, the Hewell clan holds its renowned Turning and Burning Festival. The festival's name derives from the process of "turning" pottery by hand and "burning" it in the wood-burning kiln. The festival, in its 47th year, attracts some 45,000 people to nearby Gillsville to enjoy the pottery making, along with chair caning, broom making, singing, food and many other festivities.

Historical Venues

Take a shaded walk down Green Street, lined with homes in the Victorian and Neo Classical Revival style dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Green Street appears on the National Register of Historic Places.

A restored cabin turned museum, Chief Whitepath's Cabin houses an exhibit of Cherokee Indian and Early American artifacts. Chief Whitepath lead the Cherokee tribe at the time of the Trail of Tears and died on that journey.

At the Northeast Georgia History Center, visit the railroad museum, or exhibits featuring black history, industrial history and arts and crafts of North Georgians, and the Ed Dodd/Mark Trail Memorabilia.

Recreation

The Lake Lanier Islands are a recreational mecca – a 1,200-acre resort surrounded by 38,000 acres of glistening water. A beach and water theme park offer activities for all ages, including water slides, wave pool, boats, miniature golf, volleyball, gaming arcade, restaurants and aquatic activities for young children. Other recreational opportunities include boating, swimming, fishing, golfing, tennis, and horseback riding. For overnights or weekend stays, rent a lake house or houseboat, or stay at one of two resort hotels with 18-hole golf courses and camping areas.

Nature lovers will appreciate the Elachee Nature Center, a nature center complex with a natural history museum located on a 1,200-acre preserve. The center features exhibits, live animals, a native plant garden, hiking trails, a picnic area and nature shop.

Take the kids to experience the Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, Inc. (INK), a learning center designed to develop their potential to the fullest through hands-on activities. In this creative environment, children can imagine, create, explore, and have fun at the doctor's and dentist's offices, grocery store, the 50s diner and more.

Take a tour of the solar system as you explore Gainesville! Gainesville' Scale Model Walking Tour is a 1.8-mile tour that starts visitors off at the Sun (on Downtown Square in Gainesville) and ends up at Pluto (on Lake Lanier).

Sporting Events & Venues The Atlanta Falcons Corporate HQ & Training Facility, located on Falcon Parkway in Flowery Branch, is situated on 50 acres, with practice field, training rooms and offices.

Clarks Bridge Park & Lanier Olympic Center served as the host site for the rowing, sprint canoe and kayak competitions of the ?96 Centennial Olympic Games and the 2003 Canoe World Championships. Its facilities include boathouses, finish tower and the Olympic race course. You'll find the Center on Clarks Bridge Road, off Limestone Parkway in Gainesville.

Play 18-holes on Hammers Glen Golf Club & Retreat. Voted one of the top ten public courses in Georgia by Georgia Fairways Magazine, Hammers Glen will host the 2008 Georgia Open. The course is located in neighboring Banks County on Scales Creek Road in Homer, about a 25-mile, 40 minute drive.

Lanier National Speedway opened its doors in 1982 and soon became known as a racing showplace. This 3/8-mile oval track features NASCAR-sanctioned racing March-October. Its racing docket includes multiple racing divisions, Pro Late Models, Trucks, Sportsman, Modified Minis, Pure Stock Minis and the crazy Pure Stock X-Karz, and features a Legends and Pro Challenge program on Friday nights. Travel southwest to One Raceway Drive in Braselton; the 13.5-mile trip takes about 20 minutes.

Road Atlanta, a major motor-sports facility located amidst natural, park-like surroundings, plays host to major events like Petit Le Mans and the Suzuki Superbike Showdown. Recognized as one of the world's top road courses, the 2.54-mile track attracts top international racing stars of sports cars and motorcycles. Located to the southwest at 5300 Winder Hwy in Braselton, Road Atlanta is about a 13-mile, 20-minute trip from Gainesville.

The Atlanta Dragway site was built in 1975 on land originally graded for an airport. The first track was good, old Georgia red clay. In 1980, the track was sold, paved, and sanctioned as an NHRA track. Back then, the track was only open twice a year for major events. The NHRA purchased the track in 1993, made substantial improvements, and now hold events year round. Located to the southeast in nearby Commerce, the Atlanta Dragway is a 30-mile- 45-minute drive from Gainesville.

Located in the foothills of the Northeast Georgia Mountains and on the shores of Lake Lanier, Gaineville is open to a world of recreational possibilities. Add in its economic opportunities, historical charm, arts and culture, and Gainesville rounds out to be an appealing place to consider in the search for a new home.

Our Gainesville site is the one Internet site that specializes in Gainesville real estate for sale and offers complete relocation services throughout the area. Our interactive Web site not only provides new home information, like detailed descriptions, photos, and floor plans, it also provides pertinent community information on local schools, recreation, and other features to help you make important decisions on your new Gainesville home before you move. At New Homes Realty, our goal is to satisfy you, the buyer. Our licensed Gainesville Real Estate Agents offer professional, personalized real estate services and objective advice - all at no cost to you.