Page Contents for Helen, Georgia

Statistics & Facts

Location

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Chamber of Commerce.

Organizations, Churches, and Sports.

Libraries.

Schools.

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Statistics & Facts

The Georgia state capital is Atlanta.
The population of Helen is approximately 300 (1990), 510 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 256 (1990), 252 (2010).
The amount of land area in Helen is 5.412 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from Helen to Washington DC is 486 miles.
The distance to the Georgia state capital is 77 miles. (as the crow flies)
Helen is positioned 34.70 degrees north of the equator and 83.72 degrees west of the prime meridian.

Location

in northeast Georgia, in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Chattahoochee River about 75 miles from Atlanta.
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History & History Related Items

The area which is now Helen was once home to Cherokee Indians. The left on the infamous "trail of tears" in the early 1800's. White settlers began to arrive and when gold was discovered nearby in 1828, thousands came to seek their fortunes in the mines. By the end of the 1800's, the mining had virtually shut down. The gold rush was then replaced by the timber industry. A large sawmill was built, Matthews Lumber Company, and the Gainesville and Northwestern Railroad was built along the Chattahoochee River. Helen was actually named for the daughter of the railroad surveyor, Helen, in 1813. LUmber remained the major industry until 1931 when the timber was all cut. Before long, most businesses had moved on and the town was virtually deserted. Those who were left behind met to try to improve Helen. One of them had spent time in Germany and had the idea to turn Helen into an authentic alpine village. He sketched some ideas and in January 1969, the town began to transform. It has become a picturesque and beautiful re-creation of a Bavarian village complete with painted scenes of both Germany and North Georgia.
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Attractions

Sometimes called the Georgia Alps because of the alpine village here with cobblestone streets and old-world stores.

Alpine Festival Of Arts
Alpine Village Outlet
Helen, GA 30545
Phone: 706-878-1384

Alpine Helen Welcome Center
25 Chattahoochee St
P.O. Box 730
Helen, GA 30545
Phone: 706-878-2181

Learn more about White County at this site.
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Helen City Government

Helen City Hall
25 Chattahoochee St
Helen, GA 30545-3500
Phone: 706-878-2733

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Helen Fire Dept
25 Chattahoochee St
Helen, GA 30545-3500
Phone: 706-878-3676

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Helen Police Dept
25 Chattahoochee St
Helen, GA 30545-3500
Phone: 706-878-2722

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US Post Office
S Main St
Helen, GA 30545
Phone: (800) 275-8777

Helen Chamber

P.O. Box 192
Edelweiss Drive
Helen, GA 30545
Phone: 706-878-3677
Fax: 706-878-1908

Helen Organizations

P.O. Box 192
Edelweiss Drive
Helen, GA 30545
Phone: 706-878-3677
Fax: 706-878-1908

Helen Libraries

White County Library Helen Branch
90 Petes Park Rd
Helen, GA 30545-2804
Phone: 706-878-2438

Helen Schools

White County School System
113 North Brook Street
Cleveland, GA
Phone: (706) 865-2315