Stephens County Real Estate
Tucked against the corner of Upstate South Carolina in scenic northeast Georgia, Stephens County is a small area of three friendly communities: Avalon, Martin, and Toccoa. These towns are a perfect blend of suburban and rural and their residents value their history, the natural beauty and preservation of the environment, and the joy of outdoor recreation. If you’re looking for a charming area in the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, newcomers are most welcome – the residents of Stephens would love to see the area grow!
History
The county was established in 1905 and was named to commemorate an honorable Georgia statesman during the Civil War, Alexander Hamilton Stephens. The town of Toccoa (meaning “beautiful” in Cherokee) grew at an outstanding pace due to its position around a railroad stop called Dry Pond. Soon after the end of the Civil War, Toccoa thrived as a coaling station site for the Georgia Air Line Railroad. Its location on the railroad between Atlanta and Charlotte was a crucial factor in its rapid growth.
Avalon and Martin also started out as post-war railroad towns. In Martin, the Red Hollow Road was the main channel for the transportation of farming goods from the mountains to major cities like Augusta and Savannah.
Scenery
A petite square mileage of 184 and a population of 26,967 don’t hold this county back from progressive visions. The community here has an especially environmentally-conscious mindset and when you visit the area, it’s easy to see.
Lake Hartwell and Yonah Lake are both man-made lakes built on the Tugaloo River to produce hydroelectric energy and are well-maintained by hardworking park community members. Tugaloo State Park offers beautiful landscape scenery of the lake, serene southern sunsets, and exceptional natural views of the Appalachian foothills. This park also sports plenty of recreational activities for people of all ages. There are numerous opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, and bird-watching any day of the week. And because the climate in the Piedmont region is so ideal, these activities can be enjoyable year-round.
The impressive 900-foot-high Currahee Mountain sits at the end of the Blue Ridge Mountain chain and displays gorgeous views of the surrounding area for miles. It’s quite the strenuous climb, but if you’re up for it the scenery of the lakes, rivers, hills, and mountains is definitely worth it.
Waterfall enthusiast? At 186 feet tall, Toccoa Falls is one of the highest waterfalls east of the Mississippi! An easy, barely half-mile hike leads you to this beautiful free-flowing waterfall and the trail is pet-friendly, kid-friendly, and even wheelchair accessible.
Community
The people of Stephens County are proactive and love to have fun celebrating nature, their history, and the seasons of the year. The community keeps the nature preserves clean and inviting and prides itself on the 176 acres of woodland solitude that act as a sanctuary for hikers and all outdoor enthusiasts.
There are multiple history museums open to the public that illustrate how history and progress bring people together even in small communities of secluded locations. The Stephens County History Museum and the Currahee Military Museum demonstrate the importance of Toccoa in World War II as it served as a camp for thousands of paratroopers. The multiple award-winning HBO series, “Band of Brothers,” showcases Camp Toccoa and its role in training the paratroopers that participated as heroes and brothers in World War II. It’s a spectacular true story and reveals the important role Stephens County played during wartime.
Every fall, Stephens hosts the Toccoa Harvest Festival in celebration of the vibrantly-colored fall foliage at the turn of the season. The community comes together to buy and sell delicious baked goods, roasted nuts, and mulled ciders. This huge event brings in people from all over to enjoy over 100 homemade food and craft vendors.
This small Piedmont community is one of the warmest and most welcoming in northeast Georgia. Come find a home here and join in on the comradery of prosperous and nature-loving outdoor adventurers who are rich in their relationships with history, nature, and each other.