Citizens of Dahlonega woke to a sordid sight on February 16, 2017. Situated on a building on East Main street was a sign that read "Historic Klu Klux Klan Meeting Hall." Hanging from the roof were the KKK crest and Confederate flag.
Residents responded to the offensive display with a passionate protest, determined to defend the town and its principles. They maintained that Dahlonega was a town, "Of Love, Not Hate," as one protester's sign said. 40 citizens made it clear that hate would not be tolerated in the little mountain city.
Since Thursday morning, the flags and sign have been removed. Furthermore, the Green Mountain Unitarian Universalist church organized a "Unity March," which took place on February 17, 2017.
"An employee on behalf of landowner Roberta [Green-Garrett] has picked up an application to put the sign back on the building," said Mayor Gary McCullough said to the Dahlonega Nugget on Friday morning. "That's all I'm allowed to say about it."
The building on East Main street is owned by Roberta Green. Mrs. Green has made multiple attempts in the past to tear down the property and replace it with a hotel. However, she found herself thwarted by protesters and historical preservationists who wished to maintain the integrity of the town. It is generally speculated that she has contrived to keep the offensive sign in place as a means to succor the town leadership's approval to tear down her vacant building.
After all, the city of Dahlonega cannot permit a Klu Klux Klan sign to remain in the center of their town. It would seriously compromise their thriving tourist economy and violate the city's moral standards. Therefore, protesters and preservationists might be strong-armed into surrendering their crusade to protect the historic building.
What adds more credibility to the claim is that there is no evidence that the East Main building was ever associated with the Klu Klux Klan. Indeed, even going back to the Civil War, Northeast Georgia delegates to the Secession Convention of 1861 were opposed to secession from the Union. There is no valid documentation at the courthouse or in notable local history which confirms a particularly close connection between the KKK and Dahlonega.
Therefore, one must conclude that the person who placed the sign on the building was erroneous (I mean, I doubt they are profound scholars) about the KKK Hall's location or that there is a profit incentive for the person who owns the establishment. Naturally, more details will come to light, but this is one theory out of many which are floating around Lumpkin County.
Currently, all claims are mere speculation. However, wouldn't it be an interesting plot twist if the deplorable act was committed not by the village idiot as everyone initially expected but from the woman who owns the village?
