Museums and Attractions
Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel
215 Clisby Austin Dr.
Tunnel Hill GA, GA 30755
(706) 876-1571
Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel website
Explore a true engineering marvel: the Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel. Completed in 1850, it was the first major railroad tunnel in the South and the first through the Appalachian Mountains. Take the guided tour to see original drill marks made during the construction of the tunnel and see where the Civil War’s “Great Locomotive Chase” came through in 1862.
Tunnel Hill Heritage Center & Museum
215 Clisby Austin Drive
Tunnel Hill, GA , GA 30755
(706) 876-1571
Tunnel Hill Heritage Center & Museum website
Experience more than 160 years of railroad and Civil War history at Tunnel Hill Heritage Center and Museum. Start in the museum with a trip through Tunnel Hill’s history as you examine the unique artifacts on display.
The Huff House
314 N Selvidge St
Dalton, GA 30720
(706) 529-8082
This gothic revival/folk vernacular home was built facing the railroad about 1855. During the Civil War years in 1862, the Great Locomotive Chase passed by the house as it chugged through Dalton. In the winter of 1863-64, General Joseph E. Johnston, commander of the Army of the Tennessee, located his headquarters in the home as he regrouped the 40,000 troops who were wintering in the Dalton area and preparing for what we now know as the Atlanta Campaign. Here, in the dining room, General Patrick Cleburne proposed to officers the arming of slaves in the manpower shortage facing the Confederacy. This proposal was disregarded until very late in the War.
Mrs. Lida E. Huff bought the house in 1890 and soon afterwards had the home turned around so that, along with newer homes, it would face Selvidge Street. This was accomplished by placing the house on a log turnstile powered by mules, a process taking two weeks while the family still lived in the home. The home, noted to be the active social center in Dalton of three school teachers and their families, stayed in the Huff family until the death of the last daughter in 1971. These educators were well known in the community.
Emery Center
110 W Emery St,
Dalton, GA 30720
(706) 277-7633
The Emery Center, formerly Emery Street School is located in Dalton, Georgia. Our mission is, "to promote an awareness of African American culture and heritage while fostering an atmosphere of trust, integrity, and respect for all cultures." The school was initially constructed in 1886 to address the educational needs of African American children in Dalton and surrounding areas. From 1937-1968 grade levels at Emery Street School ranged from K-12. In 1968, the school was integrated into the Dalton Public School System. Years later, Emery Street School became City Park Middle School. In 1999, the city of Dalton decided to demolish City Park School; however, concerned African American Citizens fought against this order and presented a resolution to the Mayor of Dalton and the City Council. Their request was granted and it was decided that Emery Street School would be preserved. In June 2001, the Emery Street Preservation Committee began working on what is now the Emery Center. Today, the Center serves as an African American Heritage and Multicultural Center.
Crown Gardens & Archives
715 Chattanooga Ave
Dalton, GA 30720
(706) 278-0217
Crown Gardens & Archives website
The building also serves as a repository of valuable information for those interested in genealogical and local historical research. One can find cemetery lists, marriage indexes, census indexes, county and family histories, and more than 700 family files—all available to the public. The Archives also houses revolving displays of local historical interests.
Clisby Austin House
310-284 Clisby Austin Dr
Tunnel Hill, GA 30755
(706) 876-1571
The Clisby Austin House was constructed in 1848 alongside the Western & Atlantic railroad tunnel that passes through the Chetoogeta Mountain. Originally named “Meadowlawn”, it was built by Reverend Clisby Austin as a farmhouse that grew to include 320 acres.
After Austin left the house during the Civil War, the house was used as an army field hospital. Officers and generals – like our famous guests John Bell Hood and William T. Sherman – slept and planned in the second floor bedrooms while doctors treated wounded soldiers and performed amputations in the kitchen and in outdoor tents.
The house would have a number of owners in the years following the Civil War. It would be abandoned until David and Barbara Holcomb purchased and renovated it. The Holcombs owned the Clisby Austin House for several years before generously donating the property to Whitfield County so others could enjoy and appreciate the legacy of the house history together.
Bandy Heritage Center
656 College Dr
Dalton, GA 30720
(706) 272-4452
Welcome to the Bandy Heritage Center! As a community outreach program of Dalton State College, the Bandy Heritage Center celebrates the history and culture of Northwest Georgia. This mission is achieved through collaboration with partnering historical and cultural organizations throughout the area, enabling the Center to fulfill its role as the primary source for information related to the region's historic resources.
Established in 2008 through the generosity of Mr. Jack Bandy, the Center is currently in the formative stages and is presently devoting its energies to public outreach programming as well as heritage tourism. In time, the BHC will also include an archival collection and exhibits concentrating on the Northwest Georgia area and will sponsor research and publishing activities which promote a more complete understanding of the region's heritage.
Prater’s Mill
5845 GA-2
Dalton, GA 30721
(706) 694-6455
The Prater’s Mill Country Fair, begun by volunteers in 1971 to raise funds to restore the dilapidated 1855 grist mill and surrounding buildings, has grown into a legendary celebration of Appalachian traditions. This is an invitation-only show where nearly 200 talented artists and craftsmen must hand-make their items out of only natural materials. We boast the best Southern food this side of Heaven, most prepared by local groups.
Prater’s Mill Historic Site is now owned by the people of Whitfield County but continues to be operated and maintained by the Prater’s Mill Foundation. As a non-profit volunteer group, the foundation relies heavily on the revenue from the annual Country Fair. This is our primary fundraising event. All donations and proceeds from the fair go back into site maintenance and day to day operations. The mission of the foundation is to protect, preserve and present the heritage of the Prater’s Mill Site for future generations. For more information call 706-694-MILL.
Hamilton House
701 Chattanooga Avenue
Dalton, GA 30720
(706) 278-0217
Historical redbrick house museum constructed in circa 1840.
Open by appointment only. Please call (706) 278-0217 to schedule a tour.
Dalton Little Theatre
210 N Pentz St
Dalton, GA 30720
706-226-6618
Dalton Little Theatre, DLT, held its first documented performance in 1869. The organization began as The Dalton Amateurs, and continued as The Sophoclean Dramatic Club, and The Dalton Players, before becoming Dalton Little Theatre in 1955. The theatre has performed continuously except for breaks during WWI and WWII. The organization formally incorporated in 1958, and found its first home in 1981 when it converted the former firehouse built in 1888 into The Firehouse Theatre. The Firehouse Theatre is often referred to as The Old Dalton Firehouse and it remains the home of Dalton Little Theatre to this day.