Dahlonega was a boom town in the Georgia Gold Rush and became the site of a United States Mint branch mint between 1838 and 1861, when the facility was turned over to the Confederate Treasury Department and operations continued until June 1, 1861. Numerous gold miningmines were scattered around the area, a major reason the Cherokee nationpeople were forced to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears. Vice President of the United States) also owned the Calhoun Mine, just south of the City Square. The Dahlonega Mint, like the one established in 1838 in Charlotte, North Carolina, only minted gold coins, in denominations of $1.00, $2.50 (quarter eagle), $3.00 (1854 only) and $5.00 (half eagle). The Dahlonega Mint was a small operation, usually accounting for only a small fraction of the gold coinage minted annually, and it was deemed unnecessary to reestablish the facility after the American Civil WarCivil War. As a result, surviving Dahlonega coinage is today highly prized in American numismatics. The mint building burned in 1878 - but the North Georgia College and State UniversityNorth Georgia College campus built Price Memorial Hall on its foundation. The building is clearly identifiable by the gold leaf steeple. In recent years, Dahlonega and Lumpkin County have been recognized as "the heart of Georgia Wine Country." The county features three vineyards and wineries that are attracting many tourists. Dahlonega's local festivals also draw many tourists. Bear on the Square, which marks the day that a black bear wondered onto the square, is a large arts and crafts festival. Larger than that, Gold Rush Days attract over 200,000 people for the two day event. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dahlonega%2C_Georgia