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Demographics

Part of the small town of Gillsville falls within Hall County (0.82 square miles) and part within Banks County (0.31 square miles). The northern boundary of Banks County is the Chattahoochee National Forest and much of the county is woodlands. 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. As of 2000, the total population of Banks County was 14,422. The 2005 Census Estimate shows a population of 16,055. Hall County is about twice the geographical area of Banks County with about ten times the population, estimated at 163,204 in 2005. Census 2000 shows a total of 53,036 households residing in Hall County of which 39,994 were families. Hall County's median home value in 2000 was $155,300. Census 2000 records 195 people residing in Gillsville, comprising 79 households, and 58 families.

History

Banks County

Created in 1858 from parts of Franklin and Habersham counties, Banks County was named for Dr. Richard E. Banks, a prominent, traveling physician who treated both settlers and Indians in northern Georgia and South Carolina. Homer, the county's only municipality, was incorporated in 1859 and was named after Homer Jackson, a prominent settler.

In its early days, the Banks County economy was based on cotton and corn. By the 1920s, cotton and corn gave way to beef and poultry production and textile manufacturing as the area's primary industries; then came poultry feed production in the 1960s. Today Banks County's growth is primarily related to the increase in retail sales and tourism from the Banks Crossing shopping outlet center.

Hall County

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.

Hall County has a unique history, not based in the South's traditional 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 was the trading center of Northeast Georgia. Settlers rushed to Gainesville to settle 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 the reputation came the region's first hospital, college and military academy along with a well-established cultural base ? all traditions that remain 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.

Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping

Gillsville is located less than 15 miles from the city of Gainesville where there is a multitude of things to see, hear, taste and experience.

Banks County is the home of Banks Crossing, 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

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. Pottery is turned by four generations of Hewell family hands in a 10-wheel shop on the site where the operation relocated in 1965. Since 1850, he family has been mining what they call ?Hewell?s Gold? ? Georgia clay ? to create all kinds of 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, people will hit the Hewell farm bright and early for the renowned Turning and Burning Festival. The festival's name derives from the Hewell family's way of life, ?turning? pottery by hand and ?burning? it the wood-burning kiln. There is singing, chair caning, broom making, food and too many other activities to mention. The festival, in its 47th year, attracts some 45,000 people to Gillsville.

Hall County is home to many performing arts groups, 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, as well as two dance ensembles.

Sports and Recreation

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.

The Lake Lanier Islands are a recreational mecca ? a 1,200-acre resort surrounded by 38,000 acres of glistening water. The main attraction is the beach and water theme park with 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. The resort also offers boating, fishing, picnic areas, horseback riding. For overnight stays, there are rental lake houses, rental houseboats, two resort hotels with 18-hole golf courses and camping areas.

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 on Scales Creek Road in Homer.

Racing Galore!

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 12 mile- 20 minute drive from Gillsville.

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 22-mile trip takes under 40 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 22-mile, 38-minute trip from Gillsville.

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle, between the mountains of North Georgia and the waters of Lake Lanier, Gillsville offers a small-town lifestyle. Yet Gillsville residents are just a short drive away from the arts, culture, shopping and dining options available in the larger metropolitan area of Gainesville. For those who would enjoy having the best of both worlds, Gillsville may be a great place to buy a new home.

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