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CLICK HERE TO BUY TRAGEDY AND TRIUMPH: A COMPENDIUM OF NORTH GEORGIA HISTORY After four years of research and countless hours and excursions, I'm proud to release my first book about North Georgia history. The book spans four centuries of events with original content. Over thirty separate pieces of research are organized into six sections: The First Inhabitants - Pretribal Indians through the Cherokee Enter the Europeans - British and American Colonists from the Revolutiona

Col. Sam Tate announced the creation of a 10,000-acre estate that would serve as a summer resort for wealthy Atlantans in 1929. At the cost of one-million dollars (seventeen million in today's money) he would construct a 51-acre manmade lake, 18-hole golf course, Dude Ranch, and a premier place to rest and hold events, the Connahaynee Lodge. Situated some 3,300 feet above sea level, atop Mount Burrell (Burnt Mountain today), the giant lodge was built of American Chestnut L

Map from an early Tate Mountain Estates Publication (early 30's) Aerial photograph of the area with notable locations (1949) In 1930 Colonel Sam Tate had a vision. He would buy 10,000 acres and build a summer colony in a valley nestled near the Appalachian Mountains. The Appalachian Trail's southern terminus would suit just a few miles away on top of the mountain he successfully petitioned the state of Georgia to rename. He built a 51-acr

Did you know that Frank Spratlin, father of Bent Tree's developer H. Dean Spratlin, helped build a radio tower for Georgia Tech on Burnt...

Here's a poem about the burning of the Connahaynee Lodge. Mountains, sky, field and rocks Timbers and nails, woolen socks Paths and...