Towns County, the 117th county formed in Georgia was created in 1856 from parts
of Union and Rabun counties. It was named for George Washington Bonaparte Towns,
who was the governor of Georgia from 1847 to 1851.
Young Harris was originally named Young Harris College in honor of Judge Young
Loftin Gerdine Harris of Athens. It soon shortened to Young Harris, although
there is still a Young Harris College located there.
Hiawassee is a Cherokee word meaning "meadow". Chatuge Lake is located in the
northern part of the county and reaches into North Carolina. It is a storage
facility for the Tennessee Valley Authority, and is also a public preserve.
Click here to find out about getting around Towns County.
If you would like more information about the Towns County Chamber or Towns County
Tourism, please
contact the Towns County Chamber of Commerce
at 706-896-4966 or toll free 1-800-984-1543.
