Helen

History

Before 1800, this region was the heart of Cherokee Indian civilization, with communities spread throughout Helen valleys (as it is now known) and Nacoochee. Situated on top of 1 of the 4 ceremonial mounds in Nacoochee Valley was a townhouse. The Cherokee Indians granted the building of a wagon trail (Unicoi Turnpike) through their land from the headwaters of the Savannah River to Northeast Tennessee in 1813. This road (Highways 75 and 17 at present) passed through the valleys in the direction of Hiawassee. The Cherokee Indians departed the region through this road and were replace   d by white immigrants.

In 1828, gold was found in Nacoochee Valley’s Dukes Creek. Nocoochee-Helen Valley (east) and Dahlonega (west) bordered the Great Georgia Gold Rush belt. For more than 100 years, countless of miners came and mined in the valley’s foothills, producing thousands of pounds of gold. Hamby Mountain and the historic England Gold Mine (location of the present-day gold mine in Helen) were mined considerably. By the end of the century, mining operations stopped, and miners moved on.

Lumber officers arrived at the valley and saw large virgin lumber and constructed Matthews Lumber Company, an enormous sawmill. At the same time, the Gainesville and Northwestern Railroad reached Helen. The valley was christened Helen in 1913 after the railroad surveyor’s daughter.

Local business owners got together in 1968 to talk about ways on how the town could be improved. They approached someone from the neighborhood, an ex-Germany stationed artist. He drafted the buildings and added colors, gingerbread trim and details to them, giving the entire town an alpine look. Local carpenters and businessmen started the project in January 1969.

Area and Climate

Situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Chattahoochee River, Helen has a rich history connected to the Indian burial mounds and Cherokee Indians, as well as first settlers who came to the area to do gold mining and virgin lumber cutting for a flourishing timber industry in the early 20^th century. This Northeast Georgia town is a remake of an alpine town, complete with old-style towers and cobblestone alleys. Helen offers mountains, waterfalls, shopping, restaurants, theater, museums, bed and breakfast inns, luxury and rustic mountain cabins, family activities, recreation, gorgeous scenery, romantic getaways, art, history, golf, fishing, tubing, and many more.

Helen experiences 71 inches of rainfall annually (U.S. median is 37), while snowfall is 3 inches per year (U.S. median is 25).  The average sunny days yearly in Helen are 219. The lowest temperature is in January, at 29° F, while the highest is in July, at around 87° F.

Real Estate and Cost of Living

In 2011, the estimated average value of houses or condominiums in Helen is $354,895 (in 2000, it was $139,800). In 2011, the average prices of 2-unit buildings: $196,663; attached units and townhomes: $237,724; all residential units: $470,749; detached homes: $528,152; and 5 and up unit buildings: $645,443.

In Helen, the cost of living index as of March 2012 is 86.1, which is below average, as U.S. median is 100.

Lifestyle and Things to Do

Over the years, Oktoberfest in Helen has grown into the largest event in the Southeast and lasts two months. An excellent year-round vacation destination is the North Georgia mountains due to their mild weather and unmatched beauty, but during Oktoberfest, the weather changes. Color-splattered mountains and deep blue skies surround a scenic ‘alpine’ town, making daytimes as fascinating as nighttimes. During daytime, visitors can browse the stores, unwind in a beer garden, or just soak up the town’s gorgeous scenery and wonderful weather.

Floor Plans