Dawsonville, Ga., has a colorful history, to say the least.
During the first of the 19th century, the city grew as settlers and gold miners moved into the area in the wake of a gold rush in North Georgia. But Dawsonville earned its more storied, infamous reputation during Prohibition when the area became a focal point for moonshine production – considered by many local residents as more of a way of life than a crime.
The so-called “trippers” who transported moonshine earned quite a folk hero status for their driving skills and their ability to outrun the “revenuers” chasing them. This game of cat-and-mouse served as the precursor to modern-day NASCAR, allowing many in the area to claim Dawsonville as the (unofficial) “Birthplace of NASCAR” (the city is also home to Bill Elliott, better known as “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville”).
To celebrate its one-of-a-kind history, the city hosts the annual Mountain Moonshine Festival every year on the fourth weekend in October. This year’s festival – the 41st annual – will be held Oct. 25-26 and centers on the downtown square and Dawsonville Municipal Complex. Festival highlights include a car show, historical displays and a parade.
In addition, the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame is located in Dawsonville’s city hall. Racing aficionados may also want to stop by the Dawsonville Pool Hall to check out its extensive collection of racing memorabilia.
For more information, call (877) 302-9271 or visit www.dawson.org.