Sometimes the University of North Georgia is forgotten by the city of Dahlonega. The students are often seen as a nuisance and a bother to the community. Before entering the city from GA-400, there is a newly built sign that in the right corner is a tiny logo of UNG, while Dahlonega and Lumpkin County enjoy a larger logo in the middle. We are often times forgotten as being the senior military college of Georgia or even the first college in Georgia to give a degree to a woman. We are often forgotten as being a place of learning and Dahlonega’s future. We are often forgotten as being a positive thing for Dahlonega rather than a negative thing. Dahlonega and UNG have not had a mutual relationship. The university is seen as a rapidly growing place that is bursting at its seams. I only have one word for Dahlonega: Auraria.
Taking a time travel back to the 1820s, gold was discovered in the northern Georgia region near what is known as Findley’s Ridge. When the first vein of gold was located, the gold rush of Georgia began. Hundreds of people, in hopes to make a fortune, came to the region. Two cities were formed: Dahlonega and Auraria, both named after gold. Auraria still exists, but is more as a historical marker. The tiny city is gone and disappeared from existence, as it became a ghost town after the gold rush.
So what makes Dahlonega different from Auraria? The college of course. When the civil war ended and the gold rush was more of a history lesson than a reality, a college was formed at the old US Mint called North Georgia Agricultural College. No one came to the city as they used to until the college was formed. If it were not for the college or its military presence, the city would not have people come to the once booming city. Dahlonega would no longer be that important of a city and would simply be a ghost town, as was custom to gold rushes.
Now Dahlonega has done an excellent job at not becoming like Athens and their 50 bars on one street. Dahlonega has class and takes to its heritage. However, the college is part of its history. The buildings on campus can date back to an older time, especially Price Memorial. Thousands come to Dahlonega and remember it as having a golden spire. The college has a great history too, and if we were to forget our history, we would have no pride in our hallowed grounds. Dahlonega should do the same way.
I feel that Dahlonega is on a fast track to modernizing its square when, in fact, it should do the exact opposite. It has done great on protecting the style of its square, but the areas surrounding the square have become too modern and do not fit in with the history. I feel that the university provides a tremendous amount of service to the city as Alumni come back to visit their favorite city and parents come to visit their children. Tourists come on a daily basis, but this is not Savannah.
The history that has been maintained here is mainly for the sake of preserving the great history that the square has. Though Auraria was the birthplace of the gold rush in Georgia, Dahlonega steals the title as Auraria’s old buildings are taken over by decay. So Dahlonega, please do not forget about the university or its students who are the future of Dahlonega and this nation. Great things are happening within your city limits, and I hope you never forget of the great history that you and the university share together.
