Pronounced "Dah-lahn-e-ga" Named for Dahlonega comes from the Cherokee-language word "Talonige" or "Dalonige," meaning "yellow" or "gold" County Seat of Lumpkin County In History In the 1828, Dahlonega was the site of the first major gold rush in the United States Most People Don't Know John Calhoun, South Carolina Senator and U.S. vice president, owned the Calhoun Mine, just south of town Notable Natural Feature Locations where visitors can still mine for gold Notable Buildings The old Lumpkin County courthouse, now the location of the Dahlonega Gold Museum, is the state's oldest public building Popular Restaurants The Smith House Top Annual Events Bear on the Square Don't Miss Historic Dahlonega Square with its gift shops, restaurants, art galleries and artists' studios Last Words "There's gold in them thar hills." Dahlonega Mint assayer Dr. M.F. Stephenson on the steps of the Dahlonega courthouse in 1849 trying to persuade miners to stay in Dahlonega instead of joining the California Gold Rush