Blairsville

Blairsville sits in a valley at about 1,900 feet elevation near the Nottely River, which was dammed by the Tennessee Valley Authority to create Lake Nottely. The town serves as the administrative center of Union County and is connected to surrounding communities by U.S. Routes 19 and 76, along with Georgia State Route 515.

Georgia's General Assembly established Blairsville as the county seat in 1835 and named it after James Blair, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War. The creation of the town as the county's administrative hub marked the formal development of this northern mountain region.

The Sorghum Festival in October and Green Bean Festival in July bring residents together for competitions, pageants, and harvest celebrations. These seasonal events shape community life and show how much the region values its farming heritage.

The town is easy to reach via the main highways connecting to the lake and surrounding attractions. Local facilities are set up for day visitors, with downtown parking and shops that cater to travelers' needs.

The North Georgia News newspaper has covered events in Blairsville since 1909, documenting the town's evolution for over a century. The paper remains a key part of how locals remember and understand their community's story.

Location: Union County

Elevation above the sea: 574 m

Website: http://blairsville-ga.gov

GPS coordinates: 34.87556,-83.95667

Latest update: December 17, 2025 08:12