During the first of the 19th century, the city of Dawsonville 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.
The cat-and-mouse game between the so-called “trippers” who transported moonshine and the “revenuers” chasing them served as the precursor to modern-day NASCAR. Many in the area 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 44th annual – will be held Oct. 22-23 and centers on the downtown square and Dawsonville Municipal Complex. Highlights of the free festival 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.
