Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site

The Dahlonega Gold Museum occupies a brick courthouse built in 1836 with exhibitions spread across multiple floors covering mining methods and regional discoveries. The collections document all aspects of how gold was extracted and used in this area.

Before California's famous gold rush, this location marked America's first major gold discovery in 1828, which led to the establishment of a U.S. Branch Mint in 1838. This early discovery made the region one of the country's most economically important areas at the time.

The museum displays personal stories from mining families and preserves regional artifacts, including gold coins minted at the Dahlonega facility between 1838 and 1861. Visitors can see how gold shaped the everyday economy of this area.

The museum is located at Public Square and opens daily to visitors with varying admission rates based on age. The site works well for guests of all ages interested in regional history and mining heritage.

The courthouse itself was constructed from bricks containing traces of gold, making it the only building of its kind in Georgia with this distinction. The very materials of the structure tell the story of the region's wealth.

Location: Dahlonega

Address: 1 Public Square, Dahlonega, GA 30533

Phone: +17068642257

Website: https://gastateparks.org/DahlonegaGoldMuseum

GPS coordinates: 34.53263,-83.98487

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:01