Near Dahlonega in Lumpkin County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Auraria

Photographed by David Seibert, July 4, 2008

1. Auraria Marker

Inscription. Auraria, (Gold), in 1832 the scene of Georgia’s first gold rush, was named by John C. Calhoun, owner of a nearby mine worked by Calhoun slaves. Auraria and Dahlonega were the two real gold towns in the U.S. before 1849. Between 1829 and 1839 about $20,000,000 in gold was mined in Georgia’s Cherokee country.

From Auraria in 1858 the “Russell boys”, led by Green Russell, went west and established another Auraria near the mouth of Cherry Creek that later became Denver, Colo. Green Russell uncovered a fabulous lode called Russell Gulch near which was built Central City, Colo., “richest square mile on earth.”

Erected 1954 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 093-5.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.

Location. 34° 28.467′ N, 84° 1.427′ W. Marker is near Dahlonega, Georgia, in Lumpkin County. It is at the intersection of Auraria Road (Georgia Route 9) and Castleberry Bridge Road, on the left when traveling north on Auraria Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dawsonville GA 30534, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Mountains. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Station (approx. one mile away); Calhoun Gold Mine (approx. 3 miles away); Mt. Hope Cemetery (approx. 4.2 miles away); Dahlonega Mint (approx. 4.4 miles away); Price Memorial Building (approx. 4.4 miles away); U.A. Lawson Steeple (approx. 4.4 miles away); William Pierce Price (approx. 4.4 miles away); a different marker also named Price Memorial Building (approx. 4.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dahlonega.

Additional keywords. Gold

Old building in Auraria -- one of the few remaining. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, July 4, 2008

2. Old building in Auraria -- one of the few remaining.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,623 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 5, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.