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Welcome to Alpine Helen, Georgia
For a map of Helen, click here.

The northeast Georgia mountain region was once the center of Cherokee Native American culture. Villages were scattered throughout north Georgia, eastern Tennessee and the western Carolinas. The Nacoochee Valley, where modern day Helen is located, served as a meeting place and commercial crossroads for these Native Americans who constructed several ceremonial mounds in the area.  As European explorers and settlers began to enter the area, the need for avenues of travel became apparent.   After negotiations with the leadership of the Cherokee Nation in 1813, approval was granted for the construction of the Unicoi Turnpike, a wagon road through the area from the Savannah River headwaters to northeast Tennessee.  This trail, now Highways 17 and 75, ran through the valleys toward Hiawassee. Eventually, the Cherokee people were removed from the area on the infamous “Trail of Tears.”

(Pictured Left is actual gold found at Gold-n-Gem Grubbin located on Town Creek in Cleveland, Georgia. The mine is part of the original 2,500 acre Historic Loud Mine.) Gold was discovered on Dukes Creek in Nacoochee Valley in 1828.  The gold strike area extended eastward from Dahlonega to the Nacoochee Valley.  Miners by the thousands moved into the area seeking their fortunes and mining the foothills from the 1830's until as late as the 1940's, discovering millions of dollars in gold.  Large operations, such as the England Gold Mine, near Helen, and Hamby Mountain  proved successful for many years.

Blessed with huge stands of virgin forest, lumber and timber became the economic engine of the region.  Transportation of these huge timber stands was improved with the arrival of the Gainesville and Northwestern Railroad along the Chattahoochee River to Helen. In 1913, the Valley was named "Helen”, after the daughter of the railroad surveyor.  Sawmill operations continued along the Chattahoochee River area until 1931, with cargo being shipped to Europe and throughout the United States until deforestation caused a decline in profitability.  By the late 1960’s, Helen had nearly disappeared from the map as a ghost town.

The City of Helen saw a rebirth in activity when in 1968, local businessmen met to discuss what could be done to improve their town.  A  local artist, who had been stationed in Germany following World War II, created sketches of the buildings with the now-famous gingerbread trim, alpine styling and  Bavarian motif that have given Alpine Helen a new lease on life. The drawing took on real life when construction and renovation of the entire town began in January 1969.  With  renovated downtown stores and added cobblestone pathways, Alpine Helen has taken the mix of Old World charm and Southern hospitality to new heights.   

 For more information about your next vacation or business conference in
Alpine Helen, please contact:

Helen Chamber of Commerce
1074 Edelweiss Strasse
Helen, GA 30545
Tel. 706.878.1619
Tel. 706.878.1908

Helen Convention and Visitor's Bureau
Rita Morgan - Executive Director 
762 Brucken Strasse
Helen, GA 30545
Tel. 706.878.2181
Tel. 800.858.8027 ographics of Helen, Georgia

The City of Helen is a small northeast Georgia community with a population of 430 people, according to the 2000 U.S. Census. The land area of the corporate limits of Helen is 2½ square miles. The elevation of Helen is approximately 1,430 feet above mean sea level. 

Helen's primary economic focus is tourism. With over 1.7 million visitors each year to the Bavarian-themed downtown area, Helen is home to one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in the country.

Government

The City of Helen has a Council-Manager form of government with a Mayor appointed each year. City Hall is located on Chattahoochee Street in downtown Helen. Work sessions are held on the first Tuesday of each month in City Hall at 10:00 a.m. Regular Council Meeting are held on the third Tuesday of each month at City Hall at 6:30 p.m. 

Taxes

The City of Helen assesses 4.98 mils of property tax to its businesses and residents. With a $1.7 million annual budget, the City of Helen provides a range of traditional municipal services to meet the demands of its residents and visitors. Over $375,000 is generated annually in hotel and motel taxes, adding to the $196,000 in local property taxes and $460,000 in sales taxes collected. The City of Helen has initiated a 1% Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) to be used for road and public works improvements over the next five years. To date, over $200,000 has  been spent on new sidewalks and street improvements. In the next four years, the City of Helen projects that over $3 million will be spent on public infrastructure improvements, including a scenic riverwalk project.

Public Safety

Police protection in the City of Helen is provided by eight full-time and four part-time law enforcement officers. The Helen Police Department is organized under the direction of Chief of Police Ted Ray.

Fire protection services within the City of Helen are provided through a joint agreement with the White County Fire Department under the leadership of Fire Chief Sam Henderson. Businesses and residents in Helen enjoy an ISO rating of 4.

Utilities

Electric services are provided by the Georgia Power Company and Habersham Electric Membership Corporation. Water and wastewater services are provided by the City of Helen. An average bill for commercial water and wastewater service (assuming about 10,000 gallons per month) is $19.92 and $31.07, respectively. For more information on these services, contact the City of Helen. Liquefied Propane service is available through commercial businesses in the White County area. Sanitation services in the City of Helen are provided through private contract with the city. Local access telecommunications services are provided by Alltel.

Tourism in Helen, Georgia

For listings of hotels, motels, cabins, bed & breakfasts and campgrounds, click here. 

Located just 85 miles north of Atlanta, Helen provides visitors a place to relax from the hustle and bustle of city life. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Chattahoochee River is a re-creation of an alpine village. In 1999, Helen celebrated its 30th year as a mountain community with a touch of Bavaria. More than 150 specialty and import shops, restaurants and over 1200 quality rooms are located in Helen. Outside of town, over 1000 cabins and chalets are available with cozy fireplaces and secluded settings.

Visitors can enjoy river tubing, horseback riding, golfing, canoeing, fishing, mountain biking or hiking to one of the many majestic waterfalls in the area. Today, Alpine Helen is the centerpiece of the northeast Georgia tourism industry. With an annual Oktoberfest that sees over 100,000 visitors and a wide variety of unique shops, Alpine Helen draws visitors not only from throughout the southeast, but from around the  world, as well.