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

Price Memorial Building

Photographed by David Seibert, July 21, 2007

1. Price Memorial Building Marker

Inscription. Erected here in 1837 was a U.S. Branch Mint which operated until seized by the Confederates in 1861. It produced gold coins estimated to exceed $6,000,000.00 in value. In 1871 the mint building and ten acres of land were transferred to the state for use as an agricultural college, largely through the efforts in Congress of Representative William Pierce Price, founder of North Georgia College and President of its Board of Trustees until his death in 1908. The mint building was destroyed by fire in 1878 and in the following year a second building was constructed on the old foundation walls. The new structure came to serve as the college administration building and in 1934 by action of the state Board of Regents was named the Price Memorial Building to honor the founder.

Leafing of the steeple with gold from the surrounding hills was sponsored by the Dahlonega Club to commemorate in 1973 the 100th anniversary of the college.

Erected 1973 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 093-9.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1837.

Location. 34° 31.827′

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N, 83° 59.254′ W. Marker is in Dahlonega, Georgia, in Lumpkin County. It is at the intersection of Dahlonega Highway (Georgia Route 9) and College Circle, on the right when traveling north on Dahlonega Highway. The marker is at the entrance to North Georgia College and State University. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dahlonega GA 30533, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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 walking distance of this marker: Dahlonega Mint (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Price Memorial Building (within shouting distance of this marker); U.A. Lawson Steeple (within shouting distance of this marker); William Pierce Price (within shouting distance of this marker); North Georgia College Gate (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Holly Theatre (about 600 feet away); Dahlonega Stories (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Dahlonega Stories (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dahlonega.

Additional keywords. Mint

Photographed by David Seibert, July 21, 2007

2. Price Memorial Building Marker

Looking north on Dahlonega Highway, Georgia Highways 9 and 52

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, July 3, 2025

3. Price Memorial Building Marker

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, July 3, 2025

4. Price Memorial Building Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,270 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 23, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 3, 4. submitted on July 17, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.