Communities
Of Rabun County
Rabun County has six incorporated cities that provide various municipal services to residents. Also, there are several unincorporated areas and communities such as Chechero, Lakemont, Persimmon, Pine Mountain, Rabun Gap, Satolah, Wiley, and Wolffork Valley. Each area has its unique history, heritage and ambiance to explore and experience.
Sky Valley
Sky Valley is located in the northeast corner of Georgia on State Highway 246, five miles east of Dillard and Highway 441. Georgia adopted the charter for Sky Valley in March of 1978. Formerly a cattle ranch, the nearly 2,500-acres site consists of a valley bounded by the Georgia/North Carolina state line and by various mountains ridges, some of which reach 4,200 feet.
Sky Valley is comprised of privately owned single family homes, condominium developments, and a time-share facility.
With a year-round population of 269, Sky Valley triples in size during the summer to an estimated 900 residents. In addition, Sky Valley's resort features golf, swimming, tennis, hiking, fishing, and beautiful waterfalls. The resort, which originated in 1969, became the southernmost ski resort community in the U.S.
Mayor – Hollie Steil
Police Chief – Vaughn Estes
City Manager – Jason Streetman, MPA-AICP
Council - Bill Oliver, Moody Barrick, Jim Curtis, Ed Morley, Bruce Turner
For more information visit skyvalleyga.com
Sky Valley City Hall
3444 Highway 246
Sky Valley, GA 30537
(706) 746-2204
Mountain City
Mountain City is a uniquely situated recreation and retirement haven. The city is located on the Blue Ridge Divide at the head of the Little Tennessee River. Just a short drive from Mountain City on Highway 28 is Black Rock Mountain State Park, the highest state park in Georgia. With its scenic forest, quaint cabins, and hiking trails, it is the recreational jewel of the area.
Rabun County's most famous publication is the nationally acclaimed Foxfire series, a collection of oral history gathered by local high school students. The Foxfire Museum houses exhibits relating to Appalachian life and documents the birth of the Foxfire Magazine and book series.
Mountain City residents and visitors enjoy antiquing, local auctions houses, and the many outdoor recreational opportunities. Over 800 people live in Mountain City.
Mayor – Grace Watts
Council – Michael Holt, Eric McCrackin, Robert Sutton and Brenda Hooper
City Clerk – Brenda Cannon
Police Chief – Tom Garrison
Mountain City Town Hall
P.O. Box 493
Mountain City, GA 30562
(706) 746-3513
Dillard
The City of Dillard was incorporated in 1906. John Dillard and his family moved to the area in 1794 after being awarded a land grant of 250 acres for service in the Revolutionary War. John's son, James Dillard, became Justice of the Peace for the county and was elected to the state house in 1824.
The Dillard family flourished during this time, establishing many of the early businesses in the area, including a way station for stagecoaches, a boarding house, and post office. In 1890, the postal service picked Dillard as the official name of the town's post office. By 1905, Dillard had a blacksmith shop, livery stable, cobbler, open air market, church, school, two general merchandise stores and two boarding houses. The railroad came to Dillard in 1907, connecting it to the world.
Arthur Dillard, the great-grandson of John Dillard, operated a general store and his wife, Carrie, opened a boarding house which later became The Dillard House. Today, The Dillard House is operated by Carrie's grandson, John Dillard, and is one of the South's most well known restaurants. Andrew Jackson Ritchie, who founded the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, was another direct descendant of the Dillards.
Located just south of the Georgia/North Carolina boarder, Dillard has become well known for its growing number of antique, craft, and specialty shops which make Dillard a favorite stop for mountain visitors, as well as a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, Dillard's population is approximately 240 residents.
For more information visit dillardgeorgia.com!
Mayor – Claude Dillard
Council Members – Tremaine E. Wilson, Gordon Jenkins, Jack Roberts, Carron Grist
Dillard City Hall
892 Franklin Street
Dillard, GA 30537
(706) 746-5891
Clayton
Clayton is a classically beautiful mountain enclave and old rail town with a main street lined with unique shops, galleries, dining and lodging. The community has done a wonderful job of preserving its architectural heritage, balancing its older structures splendidly with its more recent development.
The county seat, Clayton was incorporated on December 13, 1823, as Claytonsville, named for Judge Augustin S. Clayton, a prominent jurist and congressman. The name was later shortened to Clayton. The Bartram Trail, a National Recreational Trail created over 200 years ago by Quaker William Bartram, is located in Clayton and draws a great number of outdoor enthusiasts every year. Another popular attraction is the Chattooga River and surrounding scenery which was made popular through the movie Deliverance.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2020), Clayton has a population of 2,253 people.
Government website: cityofclayton.gov
Tourism website: visitclaytonga.org
Mayor – Kurt Cannon
Council – Woody Blalock, John Bradshaw, David Cross, Althea Bleckley and Amanda Harrold
City Manager – Trudy Crunkleton
City Clerk – Rhonda Lunsford
Police Chief – Andy Strait
Clayton City Hall
837 Hwy 76 West, # 101
Clayton, GA 30525
(706) 782-4512
Tiger
Tiger, located three miles south of Clayton, was incorporated in 1904, and today is home to approximately 325 people. Although legend has it that Tiger was name after Cherokee Chief Tiger Tail, the name and that of nearby Tiger Mountain more likely came from the wildcats roaming the area many years ago. Tiger is home to the Rabun County High School, Middle School and Elementary School, and a vintage drive-in movie theatre, senior center, and assisted-living center, Traces of Tiger.
Tiger offers a variety of outdoor recreation choices including numerous hiking trails and waterfalls.
Mayor – Mike Carnes
Council – Karen O. Lovell, Peter Marziliano, Ronald Moore and Jackie Watts
Tiger Town Hall
3010 Old 441 South
Tiger, GA 30576
(706) 490-1322
Tallulah Falls
Incorporated in 1885, the City of Tallulah Falls lies partially in Rabun County and partially in Habersham County. However, a large part of the population, about 200 people, lives in Rabun County.
One of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern United States, Tallulah Gorge is the jewel of the city. At three miles long and almost a thousand feet deep, visitors can hike rim trails to several overlooks or can hike to the gorge floor (with free permit). A suspension bridge, located 80 feet above the rocky bottom, provides spectacular views of the river and waterfalls, and offers great photography opportunities.
The Moss House at Pine Terrace, built by Rufus Lafayette Moss, Sr., spots a clean, newly painted exterior and is the largest house in Tallulah Falls and the fourth oldest house in Rabun County.
Fifteen years after the Civil War Rufus built his summer home in Tallulah Falls overlooking the rail line. Pine Terrace was completed in 1880. From this move came the completion of Tallulah Falls Railroad in 1882, the Cliff House Hotel, Athens Y Camp and the completion of Georgia Power Company Dam in 1912. Also, a friend of Rufus' wife Mary Ann Lipscomb, started the Tallulah Falls School in her home next door.
For more info visit tallulahfallsga.gov
Mayor – Mike Early
Council – Joey Fountain, Craig Weatherly, Larry Hamilton and Deb Goatcher
City Clerk – Linda Lapeyrouse
Police Chief – Tonya Elrod
Tallulah Falls City Hall
P.O. Box 56
Tallulah Falls, GA 30573
(706) 754-6040
