Our History
Our Beginnings
Nestled at the southern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains‒the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains‒Pickens County, Georgia is a destination rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Long before modern communities were established, this area of North Georgia was home to the Cherokee Indians, who lived on and stewarded the land from the late 1700s until the 1830s.
In 1838–1839, U.S. troops, acting on orders from the state of Georgia, forcibly removed the Cherokee people from their ancestral homeland during the tragic journey known as the Trail of Tears, relocating them to Indian Territory. Today, visitors to Pickens County can explore and reflect on this important chapter of American history through local landmarks, storytelling, and cultural preservation.
Our Heritage
The Founding of Pickens County
On December 5, 1853, the Georgia General Assembly officially established Pickens County from portions of Cherokee and Gilmer Counties. The county was named in honor of General Andrew Pickens, a hero of the American Revolutionary War. Over time, Pickens County’s boundaries evolved, gaining and transferring land to neighboring counties including Dawson, Gordon, Gilmer, and Cherokee.
A fascinating and little-known historical fact: for nearly a month after Georgia seceded from the Union, the Union flag continued to fly over the Pickens County Courthouse, highlighting the area’s complex Civil War-era history.
Pickens County is
Georgia’s Marble Capital
Pickens County is internationally recognized as Georgia’s Marble Capital, renowned for producing some of the purest marble in the world. Marble mining became the backbone of the local economy in the early 1800s when Henry Fitzsimmons established the first marble quarries and marble mill in the region.
Pickens County marble has been used in iconic buildings and monuments across the United States:
- The Lincoln Memorial
- House Office Building
- East Wing of the National Gallery of Art
- National Air and Space Museum
- New York Stock Exchange Annex
- Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank
- Chicago’s Buckingham Fountain
- Florida’s Bok Sing Tower
Locally, marble can be seen throughout the community‒including the Tate Elementary School in Tate, which is constructed entirely of Georgia marble. The marble is also used in U.S. military headstones, honoring service members nationwide.
Pickens County is one of the few places in the world where rare pink marble is found. The historic Tate House, now a popular wedding and event venue in Tate, Georgia, was built using this distinctive pink marble.
Each year during the Georgia Marble Festival, the marble quarries open to the public for a special day of guided tours‒a unique opportunity for visitors to see this world-famous industry up close.
Experience our
Mountains, Views & OUtdoor Heritage
Outdoor enthusiasts are drawn to Pickens County for its scenic mountain landscapes and historic peaks. Mount Oglethorpe, standing at 3,288 feet, was the original southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, making Pickens County a significant destination for hiking history lovers.
Other notable peaks include Sharp Mountain and Sharp Top Mountain. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of Sharp Top Mountain from the Grandview Lake Dam on Grandview Road, while the Burnt Mountain Overlook offers sweeping vistas‒and on clear days, views stretching all the way to Atlanta.
Visitors to Pickens County
Experience History firsthand
When you visit Pickens County, GA, you’ll discover stories that span centuries-from Native American heritage and early Appalachian settlers to the marble industry that shaped the region. Explore historic buildings, museums, scenic overlooks, and cultural events that bring the past to life while creating unforgettable travel experiences in North Georgia.
