Page 27 - Alpine Ranch Online Directory 25

THE HISTORY OF HELEN, GEORGIA

It has been said of the mountain area in northeast Georgia, “Visit three
days, stay forever”. And it is no wonder for the area is one of the most beautiful in
the country. Lush green foliage hangs over the crystal clear streams while majestic
mountains are outlined against the bright blue sky. Many areas remain much as they
were hundreds of years ago, full of wildflowers, native birds, and animals.
White County, Georgia, is a special place nestled at the southern base of the
Blue Ridge Mountains. One of the first European visitors was Hernando DeSoto in
1520. The mound-builders were gone when DeSoto arrived, but the explorer found
Cherokee tribes inhabiting the area. The Cherokee and other Indian tribes remain
until most were forced to Oklahoma on the infamous “Trail of Tears”.
In 1828, gold was discovered in the “New World” at Dukes Creek just south
of Helen. Thousands of miners migrated here. Then the gold boom collapsed and the area was deserted. In 1912 rail
magnate Henry C. Bagley discovered the virgin pine and poplar forest. Many of the trees measured 25 feet around. He
built a logging camp and named it Helen in honor of his daughter.
By 1968, Helen was a dying town. Over lunch that November, several local residents decided that something
needed to be done to attract the tourist who were passing through on their way to the mountains north of town. John
Kollock, an artist from Clarkesville was contacted. John began to work on sketches of the town with a German Alpine
appearance. He presented the property owners with his sketches of Alpine Helen.
The remodeling began in January 1969. No federal or state monies were involved in the planning and
development of Helen. Each property owner assumed the financial responsibility for his building. Georgia Power put the
power lines underground and the City of Helen provided planter and street lights. Standard Telephone built Alpine Phone
Booths.
Helen was a dream of a lot of people, but to Peter Hodskinson, it was his life. He
kept the fire of enthusiasm fueled. He organized the first Oktoberfest as a street dance
and help to establish the “Helen to the Atlantic” balloon race. Tragically, Pete was killed
in a ballooning accident in 1976, but the spirit of his dream continues.
Today, Helen is a thriving town with many new businesses, activities, and
events. The full time population of approximately 365 is host to more than 3.5 million
visitors each year from around the world. Helen offers a unique shopping experience
with a broad selection of items from around the world, as well as locally crafted items,
a museum, theater, golf course, restaurants and so much more.In addition to the
many day -to- day attractions, there are special events during the year. Fasching
Festival (a German Mardi Gras type celebration), hot air balloon rides and race,
clogging, Volksmarch, Alpine River Rod Run, and Oktoberfest just to name a few. Helen is a wonderful example of what
imagination, faith, determination, and hard work can accomplish.

LEGEND OF THE NACOOCHEE INDIAN MOUND

The legend relates that Indian lovers from opposing tribes are buried in the Nacoochee Mound that
stands at the junction of GA Highways 17 & 75 just south of Helen.

Sautee, a brave of the Chickasaw tribe, and Nacoochee, daughter of a Cherokee chief, fell hopelessly in love.
The two lovers met in the night and ran away to nearby Yonah Mountain to spend a few idyllic days together.
When they later confronted Nacoochee’s father with the
ideas of creating peace between the two nations, Chief
Wahoo ordered Sautee thrown from the high cliffs of Yonah
Mountain while Nacoochee was forced to watch. Almost
immediately, Nacoochee broke away from her father’s
restraining hands and leaped from the cliff to join her
lover. At the foot of the cliff the lovers dragged their broken
bodies together and locked in a fatal embrace. The chief,
overcome with remorse, realized the greatness of love and
buried the lovers, still locked in death, near the banks of the
Chattahoochee River in a burial mound. During the summer
of 1980, Nacoochee Valley was placed on the National
Register of Historic Places as an historic district.