Hightower Falls

Hightower Falls is a natural waterfall in Georgia that drops approximately 80 feet over rocky terrain. The site features the remaining stone walls of a historic mill that once served both industrial and residential purposes.

Elias Dorsey Hightower built a three-story mill beside the falls in 1843 to process both cotton and grain. The structure survived the Civil War and remained standing as a testament to 19th-century industrial development in the region.

Welsh settlers made their home in the mill's upper floors while raising sheep across the surrounding Appalachian landscape. The connection between the people and the land they worked remains visible in how the structures blend with the natural setting.

The site has twelve cabins available that can accommodate up to 46 people total, making them practical for group visits and family occasions. Expect wet and slippery surfaces near the falls, particularly after rainfall or during higher water flow periods.

The mill's stone walls are among the few industrial structures in the region that survived the Civil War intact. This preservation makes the site a rare example of how local history continued through a turbulent period.

Location: Georgia

GPS coordinates: 33.93420,-85.14420

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:02