Bordering
North Carolina, Towns County has been blessed with an abundance
of environmental resources. Lush Forest are teaming with wildlife
and sparkling streams abound throughout the county. With 106,240
acres in the county, 57,503 acres are part of the Chattahoochee
National Forest. With an approximate population of 9319 residents
in the whole county (according to the 2000 census), the largest concentration
is in Hiawassee with 637. Unless you include when the students are in
session at the Young Harris
College which rises that community's population to around 655 residents.
Hiawassee is the county seat and the larger of the two communities.
It is a scenic town surrounded by the mountains of Georgia and
North Carolina while overlooking the 7000 acre sapphire-blue
waters of Lake Chatuge. With a 128 miles of shoreline this pristine
lake is ideal for fishing, swimming, boating and camping. Hiawassee
shares the shores of Lake Chatuge with neighboring Hayesville,
North Carolina.
Young Harris, the smaller community is located in a scenic agricultural
valley with many community parks to enjoy the natural beauty
of the area. Young Harris is also the home of Young Harris College,
a private United Methodist-affiliated school, founded there in
1886. One of many of the colleges contribution to the community
is the Rollins planetarium, which is one of the largest in the
state of Georgia. It houses a Spitz System 512 projector under
a 40-foot-diameter dome and is capable of seating 111 people
in comfortable reclined chairs. The planetarium is open to the
public on Friday evenings at 8 PM. There is no admission charge.
From rustic cabins to executive estates, Towns County has something
for everyone. Visit the enchanted mountains and valleys of Young
Harris,and Hiawassee Georgia.
