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Murray County Photo Contest Winner and Get to Know Murray County

Winner of the Murray County Photo Contest

Winner


Michael Helm

Location of Photograph: Dennis Mill Road

From the Photographer: "Photo of farmland taken from Dennis Mill Road, near the intersection with Old Federal Road S. "

Honorable Mention

Honorable Mention


Benny Huggins

Location of Photograph: Murray County, GA

From the Photographer: Murray County Courthouse, "one of the oldest buildings in Murray County, GA."

Get to Know Murray County

Founded: 1832

Population: 40,096

Largest City: Chatsworth 

County Seat: Chatsworth 

County Website: https://www.murraycountyga.org/

Historical Landmarks

  • Murray County Courthouse: "Murray County Courthouse in Chatsworth, Georgia was built in 1916. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It has an elevated position and can be viewed from afar. A 1980 architectural survey identified it as one of only two Palladian architecture applications among Georgia courthouses." Address: 121 N 3rd Ave, Chatsworth, GA 30705
  • Chief Vann House: "During the 1790s, James Vann became a Cherokee Indian leader and wealthy businessman. He established the largest and most prosperous plantation in the Cherokee Nation, covering 1,000 acres of what is now Murray County. In 1804 he completed construction of a beautiful 2 ½ story brick home that was the most elegant in the Cherokee Nation... Today the Vann House survives as Georgia’s best-preserved historic Cherokee Indian home. A guided tour allows visitors to see the house which features beautiful hand carvings, a remarkable “floating” staircase, a 12-foot mantle and fine antiques." Address: 82 Highway 225 N Chatsworth, GA 30705
  • Wright Hotel: "The Wright Hotel was built in 1909. Many historic displays and memorabilia can be viewed here such as the rock at the bottom of the stairs that weighted down the mail for Hotel guests, the 7-foot tub in which Mr. Wright was baptized, original furniture, and Indian pottery and baskets. The hotel also houses a collection of nursing paraphernalia belonging to Kate Raine, daughter of Mr. Wright, who served as a nurse on the Indian reservations of the southwest. Hotel registers dating to the 1920s give a glimpse of those who stayed there while it was thriving business." Address: 201 East Market Street, Chatsworth, GA 30705 

To find out more about Murray County's history check out: https://www.murraycountyga.org/347/History-of-Murray-County

http://www.whitfield-murrayhistoricalsociety.org/historicproperties.html

https://www.murraycountymuseum.com/

Things to do in Murray County

  • Fort Mountain State Park: "A scenic drive on Hwy. 52 near the Cohutta Wilderness leads visitors to this mountain getaway. Hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders will find some of the most beautiful trails in Georgia, winding through hardwood forest and blueberry thickets, crossing streams and circling a pretty lake. Hikers can also explore a stone fire tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and an ancient rock wall, which stands on the highest point of the mountain. The mysterious 855-foot-long wall is thought to have been built by early Indians as fortification against more hostile Indians or for ancient ceremonies." Address: 181 Fort Mountain Park Rd, Chatsworth GA 30705
  • North Georgia Speedway: "Dirt trackin' at its best! Stock car track is 1/3 mile, clay, high bank oval surrounded by concrete retaining walls. Over 15 acres of parking. Complete concessions area. Races every Saturday night at 7PM during the season. Race classes include: Super Late Model, Late Model, Sportsman, Hobby, Mini-stock and Pure Street Stock." Address: 300 N. Georgia Raceway Rd, Chatsworth GA 30705
  • Chatsworth Depot: "Chatsworth Depot, located adjacent to the Wright Hotel, was built in the early 1900s. It contained two waiting rooms, an agent's office, an express and baggage room, and a freight room. In 1904, the Louisville and Nashville railroad system ran from Cincinnati, Ohio to Etowah, Tennessee. In order to complete a direct line to Atlanta, the L&N railroad system began laying tracks from Etowah south. In 1905, tracks were laid through Murray County. The railroad employed many Murray County residents, and trains would stop daily to transport residents who were traveling to and from Cartersville and other points. President Roosevelt once spent a night in his private car at the depot on his way to Warm Springs for polio therapy." Address: 500 N. First Ave, Chatsworth GA 30705

To find out more to do in Murray County check out:

https://www.murraycountyga.org/Facilities

https://www.exploregeorgia.org/chatsworth/things-to-do?page=1

Office Locations

Georgia state map
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    Dalton District Office
    P.O. Box 829
    Dalton, GA 30722

    Phone: (706) 226-5320

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    Washington DC Office
    403 Cannon Building
    Washington, DC 20515

    Phone: (202) 225-5211