A lot of people know Georgia for its beautiful nature, history, and culture. Did you know that it also has a lost town that was once a popular place for people with a desire to get rich during the gold rush? Auraria is the name of this town, which is on the southwest side of Dahlonega, close to the Chestatee and Etowah rivers.
How Auraria Rose and Fell
In 1832, William Dean built a single house between the two rivers. This was the start of Auraria. The name Auraria comes from the Latin word aurum, which means “gold.” The place had a lot of gold in it. A lot of people came to the town quickly, trying to make money in the Georgia Gold Rush.
In a short time, the town had more than 100 homes, twenty shops, fifteen law offices, a tavern, and a hotel. It even had its own newspaper, the Auraria Herald. It was one of the first gold rush towns in Georgia.
The greatness of Auraria didn’t last long, though. In 1833, a guy named Frank Logan won a 40-acre lot near Auraria. Logan had a questionable role in the Cherokee removal. A group of investors bought Logan’s land and then built a competing town called Dahlonega. Dahlonega quickly became the hub of the gold rush, bringing in more people and companies than Auraria. A lot of the people and businesses in Auraria moved to Dahlonega, leaving the town almost empty.
In 1849, the California Gold Rush took most of the gold seekers who were still in Auraria. This was the last blow to the town. Auraria was destroyed and never got back to being as prosperous as it used to be.
What’s Left of Auraria Now
There are only a few buildings left in Auraria, which is now a ghost town. The old tavern, the graveyard, and the Methodist church are some of the things that are still there. The older building in Auraria is the church, which was built in 1833. It is still used for weddings and other special events.
The Gold Hill Mine was in Auraria. It was one of the biggest and most profitable mines in the area. The mine was open until 1906 and made more than $1 million in gold. It is still possible to see the mine shafts and tunnels, but they are not open to the public for safety reasons.
History buffs and interested adventurers should go to Auraria. As you look at it, you can see into the past and remember how the Georgia Gold Rush came to an end. Do not miss the chance to see this secret gem of Georgia if you are ever near Dahlonega.
In conclusion
Auraria is a Georgian lost town that not many people know about. It used to be a busy gold rush town, but people left it when Dahlonega was found and the California Gold Rush ended. Only a few houses and a mine are left in what used to be a town. Auraria is a one-of-a-kind and interesting place to visit that shows off Georgia’s past and culture.
