A Study of the Tourism Practices of Dahlonega, GA


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A Study of theTourism Practices ofDahlonega GA
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Background
LOCATION

• LUMPKIN
• COUNTY
• in
• Northeast
• Georgia

70 miles NE of Atlanta 150 miles NW of
Augusta 100 miles S of Knoxville 85 miles SE of
Chattanooga
284 square miles
Organized in 1832
Sources www.naco.org and www.gmanet.com/city_deta
il
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Background
LOCATION
Source www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/histcoun
tymaps
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Background
LOCATION
Source www.epodunk.com/cgibin/ Census map
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Background
POPULATION

• 3638 yearround residents in the city of
  Dahlonega
• 21016 yearround residents in Lumpkin County
• 49.1 male 50.9 female
• 11.7 veteran status
• 96.4 born in the United States
• 65.8 born in the State of Georgia
• 02.9 foreign born

Source 2000 U.S. Census Bureau
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Background Lumpkin County
AGE
RACE

• Median age 32.5 years
• 20.1 under 15 years old
• 19.7 15 to 24 years old
• 13.6 25 to 34 years old
• 15.4 35 to 44 years old
• 12.5 45 to 54 years old
• 09.1 55 to 64 years old
• 05.6 65 to 74 years old
• 02.9 75 to 84 years old
• 01.1 85 years old and older

• 98.5 one race
• 94.0 Caucasian
• 01.5 AfricanAmerican
• 01.0 American Indian
• 00.4 Asian
• 00.1 Pacific Islander
• 01.6 Other
• 01.5 Multiracial

Source 2000 U.S. Census Bureau
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Background Lumpkin County
EDUCATION
MARITAL STATUS

• Individuals over 25 years old
• 11.2 less than 9th grade
• 16.9 High School no diploma
• 30.4 High School graduate or equivalency
• 18.8 some College no degree
• 05.1 Associate degree
• 10.5 Bachelors degree
• 07.2 Graduate or professional degree

• Individuals over 15 years old
• 27.7 never married
• 55.8 married living together
• 01.3 married separated
• 06.2 widowed
• 09.0 divorced

Source 2000 U.S. Census Bureau
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Background Lumpkin County
HOUSEHOLD INCOME
Median household income 39167

• 10.9 less than 10000
• 07.1 10000 to 14999
• 14.0 15000 to 24999
• 13.0 25000 to 34999
• 16.6 35000 to 49999

• 23.1 50000 to 74999
• 07.4 75000 to 99999
• 05.9 100000 to 149999
• 01.0 150000 to 199999
• 01.0 200000 or more

09.0 of families below poverty level
13.2 of individuals below poverty level
Source 2000 U.S. Census Bureau
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Background Lumpkin County
HOUSING
HOME VALUE

• Median 5.4 rooms
• 00.2 one room
• 03.0 two rooms
• 06.9 three rooms
• 17.8 four rooms
• 25.4 five rooms
• 22.9 six rooms
• 11.3 seven rooms
• 06.5 eight rooms
• 06.1 nine or more rooms

• Median value 111500
• 08.5 Less than 50000
• 32.7 50000 to 99999
• 30.7 100000 to 149999
• 14.0 150000 to 199999
• 10.2 200000 to 299999
• 03.5 300000 to 499999
• 00.3 500000 to 999999
• 00.2 1000000 or over

Source 2000 U.S. Census Bureau
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Background Lumpkin County
VEHICLE AVAILABILITY

• 04.2 No vehicles for transportation
• 27.7 One vehicle for transportation
• 39.7 Two vehicles for transportation
• 28.4 Three or more vehicles for transportation

Source 2000 U.S. Census Bureau
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Background Lumpkin County
CRIME RATES number of incidents

• 002 Murder
• 003 Rape
• 001 Robbery
• 019 Aggravated Assault
• 109 Burglary
• 311 Larceny theft
• 017 Motor vehicle theft

Source www.fedstats.gov/mapstats/crime.html
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Background
DAHLONEGA CITY GOVERNMENT

• One elected Mayor
• One elected Mayor Pro Tem
• Five elected City Council Members
• One appointed City Manager
• One appointed City Clerk
• One appointed City Attorney

Source www.gmanet.com/city_detail
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Background
LUMPKIN COUNTY GOVERNMENT

• One elected Commissioner
• One elected Probate Judge
• One elected Chief Magistrate
• One elected Sheriff
• One elected Tax Commissioner
• One elected County Clerk of Court

Source www.naco.org
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History

• Early inhabitants 1000 BC
• Cherokee Indians TaLoNeGa
• 1828 Gold discovered
• 1836 Lumpkin County Courthouse built
• 1838 Trail of Tears as Indians leave

Source www.naco.org
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History

• 1838 Federal Branch Mint opened
• 1906 Final Mining operation closes

Source www.naco.org
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Tourism
LODGING HOTELS / MOTELS

• Days Inn 40 rooms
• Black Mountain Lodge 60 rooms
• Econo Lodge 42 rooms
• Holiday Inn Express 81 rooms
• Mountain Laurel Resort 34 rooms
• Super 8 Motel 58 rooms
• The Smith House 16 rooms

Source 2003 Georgia On My Mind Travel Guide
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Tourism
LODGING BED BREAKFASTS

• Blueberry Inn and Gardens
• Lily Creek Lodge
• Mountain Laurel Creek BB
• Mountain Top Lodge
• Royal Guard Inn BB
• Worley Homestead BB

Source 2003 Georgia On My Mind Travel Guide
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Tourism
LODGING CABINS CAMPING

• Aunt Annes Fireside Log Cabins
• Awesome Trout House
• Bend of the River Cabins Chalets
• Camp Glisson Retreat Center
• Cavender Creek Cabins
• Dockery Lake Campground
• Forrest Hills Resort
• Hatfields Hideaway Cabins

Source 2003 Georgia On My Mind Travel Guide
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Tourism
LODGING CABINS CAMPING

• HermanHaus Cabin
• Mountain Log Cabins
• My Mountain Home Cabin Rentals
• RRanch in the Mountains
• Riverwalk Cabins
• Waters Creek Campground
• Wild Willy RVs Campground

Source 2003 Georgia On My Mind Travel Guide
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Tourism
RESTAURANTS

• 51 Main Street Bistro
• Carusos Italian Restaurant
• Cibo Restaurant
• Connies Ice Cream Parlor Sandwich Shop
• Curlys Pizza
• Dahlonega Dessertery
• Dannys Restaurant
• Dantes on the Square

• El Maguey
• The Front Porch
• Gabees Cajun Kitchen
• Hong Kong Chinese
• Horse Play Cafe
• Huddle House
• The Ivy Cottage
• Jacks Cafe
• Magic Wok

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Tourism
RESTAURANTS

• McDonalds
• Mountain Home Cafe
• Nicklaus Golf Club at Birch River
• The Oar House
• Old Crustys
• Park Place Family Restaurant
• Pizza Hut
• Pueblos Mexican

• Renees Café Wine Bar
• Ricks
• The Smith House
• Turners Corner Cafe
• The Wagon Wheel Restaurant
• Wylies Restaurant
• Zaxbys

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Tourism
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

• Nature Oriented Tubing Rafting Boating
  Fishing
• Waterfalls
• Hiking Trails

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Tourism
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

• History Oriented
• Gold Museum
• Mine Tours
• Historic District
• Other
• Unique Shopping
• Golf
• Zoo

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Tourism
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

• Amicalola Falls State Park 20 miles
• Helen GA 25 miles
• Dawsonville GA 15 miles
• Lake Lanier 10 miles
• Vogel State Park 20 miles

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Tourism
EVENTS

• Bear on the Square Festival
• World Gold Panning Championships
• Wildflower Festival of the Arts
• Dahlonega International Film Festival

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Tourism
EVENTS

• Longbranch Buckskinners Frolics
• Independence Day Celebration
• Bluegrass Folkway Festival
• Autumn Fest
• Gold Rush Days
• Old Fashioned Christmas

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Strengths

• Natural resources
• Internal community support
• Location near Atlanta
• Updated website
• Plenty of lodging
• Variety of restaurants
• Rich history
• Lure of gold

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Weaknesses

• Activities conducive to onenight stays
• Lack of marketing through area
• Perception of North Georgia
• Singular theme of town

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Opportunities

• Location near a number of natural sites
• Capitalize on mountains and outdoor activities
• Increased publicity
• Draw outofstate visitors
• Central location for day trips
• Potential for overnight stays
• Growing tourism industry
• Increase in tourists who drive locally rather
  than fly nationally

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Threats

• Surrounding tourist activities compete
• Safety issues of going into old mines
• Lack of variety
• Tough national economy hindering travel
• Stereotypes of small mountain town

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Recommendations

• Increase marketing in South Georgia
• Encourage longer stays
• More tour packages that combine nature and
  festivals
• Market the atmosphere attitude and excitement
• Revive the Gold Rush