LUMPKIN COUNTY, GEORGIA

by Tom Ashworth

Lumpkin County produced over 500,000 ounces of placer and lode gold. All area stream gravels, benches, terraces and hillsides contain placer gold.

CHESTATEE RIVER

Adjacent to the Chestatee River you will find the Boly Field Property which was an old saprolite deposit that contained lode gold. There are many mines on the Chestatee River: The Briar Patch Placers, The Long Branch, The Findley Mine (which was one of the richest in the early days) and the McDonald Mine.

I dredged in this county several years ago, with my friend Jim Labuz using a 3" dredge. We dredged near the Briar Patch Placers and did very well, but then we moved below the highway bridge that crosses the Chestatee River and goes into Dahlonega and we didn't do so well.

ETOWAH RIVER

Contains Placer Gold.

Reported By:Dan Shannon

Hey Tom here is where I found gold! My favorite is the Etowah River south of Castleberry bridge which is south of about 4 mines on the north side of the bridge. Turner/David property. Baggs Creek south of the Blackburn park area. The south branch of Calhoun creek passes south of 2 mines whose tailings were washed into it.

MCCLUSKY CREEK

McClusky Creek is located close to the Etowah River and you will find the Topabri Mine, which was a major hydraulic operation during the 1930's. This creek is said to be rich with placer gold.

YAHOOLA CREEK

Reported By: Will Holden

Yahoola Creek is located in the town of Dahlonega, in the middle of the Dahlonega gold belt! This is a great creek for the recreational gold miner. All of the property is privately owned, but some of the land owners are very willing to work out something with you. There is a great deal of history in these area and a short walk up the creek and you will see plenty of past mining ruins. There are other creeks and rivers in Dahlonega that carry substantial amounts of gold and if your in the area you should go to the GOLD museum in the town square (Its in the old court house). There is a small NON PROFIT club that has leased a few VERY good properties in the area. They are called the "Weekend Gold Miners" They are about 500 strong and it helps with the access problem that you may have.

• ADD INFORMATION ON A GOLD BEARING LOCATION