Georgia
Georgia's gold rush began here about twenty years before California's, and it helped decide the fate of the Cherokee on this land. This drive links the 1836 courthouse that now holds the Gold Museum, the spot where a U.S. branch mint coined gold from 1838 to 1861, a rare diving bell, and a working mine tour, then ends at the ghost of Auraria. Keep the Cherokee context in mind throughout: Lumpkin County was carved from Cherokee land in 1832, the land was handed out in a lottery, and the removal of 1838 followed. Historians cite many causes of removal, and gold was a major one rather than the only one.
Dahlonega's Gold Rush is a self-guided driving tour of Dahlonega, built around its heritage side. It's one of 2 Georgia Roam tours in Dahlonega — each a different route through the city, on your own schedule.
The walk covers 6 stops over about 9.9 miles and roughly 2 hours 40 min, entirely at your own pace. Each stop's story unlocks on your phone the moment you arrive — GPS-triggered, hands-free, no guide and no tour group to keep up with.