In the North Georgia Blue Ridge mountains lies twin cities: McCaysville Georgia on the western side of Fannin County, Georgia and Copperhill Tennessee on the eastern side of Polk County Tennessee

A river runs through them - Toccoa and Ocoee River

McCaysville Georgia and Copperhill Tennessee are twin cities divided only by the Georgia-Tennessee state line. Visitors will see a blue line painted through the town which marks the state line. You can literally have one foot in Georgia and one foot in Tennessee or even shop in Tennessee and pay for your items in Georgia and vice versa.

McCaysville was once named Hawkinsville and Copperhill was named McCays by two farmers who each owned a farm, one on the Copperhill side and the other on the McCaysville side. They built a ferry where the old iron bridge (built in 1911) is now.

The Toccoa River runs through the town and becomes the Ocoee River when it crosses into Tennessee at the old iron bridge. The Toccoa River is a great trout fishing river and people come from all over to raft, canoe, fish and swim. Once in Tennessee, the river becomes the Ocoee River known for its very popular whitewater rafting.

McCaysville, population 1071, located in Fannin County was chartered in 1904 and incorporated in 1941. Copper mining was once a major industry but that ended a long time ago. You can still see the old Burra Burra copper mines just a mile or two out of town. Now the twin cities are all about tourism. Visitors will find friendly people that will welcome them to their shops and eateries and enjoy mingling while strolling through town. The Blue Ridge Scenic Train makes a one hour stopover in McCaysville during its 3 ½ hour tour which starts and ends in downtown Blue Ridge.

Be sure to stop in at The Cider House Cafe, just three miles outside of McCaysville (2984 Mobile Road) and tell Joe and Mary Jo Dickey hello. I hope to see you there! More about The Cider House Cafe in my next post.

Donna Yates, Realtor
North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains
706-633-0644 cell
www.move2northgeorgia.net
donna@ellijay.com