COPPERHILL, Tenn. — The charming border towns of Copperhill, Tenn., and McCaysville, Ga., grew up after copper — as one of the city’s names might suggest — was discovered in the area in 1843.
Today, tourism has replaced copper as the economic engine of the twin cities. Combined they have a population of fewer than 1,500 residents, but they attract more as the end point of the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.
The railroad has ferried tourists and railfans between Blue Ridge, Ga., and the Georgia-Tennessee state line since 1998. The popular heritage railroad train departs from the historic 1906 Louisville & Nashville Railroad depot in downtown Blue Ridge and treks northward for an hour.
Along the way, the railroad treats riders to a beautiful view of the scenic North Georgia landscape.
While visitors by the thousands come here each year via train, many other visitors are whitewater rafters who want to ride the rapids of the Toccoa River as its known in Georgia and the Oconee River as its known in Tennessee.
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