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Museums and Attractions

Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel

Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel image

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

Tunnel Hill Heritage Center & Museum image

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

The Huff House image

314 N Selvidge St
Dalton, GA 30720

(706) 529-8082

The Huff House website

 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

Emery Center image

110 W Emery St,
Dalton, GA 30720

(706) 277-7633

Emery Center website

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.

Dalton Ghost Tours by Connie Hall-Scott

Dalton Ghost Tours by Connie Hall-Scott image

114 W. Crawford St.
Dalton, GA 30720

(706) 270-9960

Dalton Ghost Tours by Connie Hall-Scott website

Thrilling guests with our original ghost walk, Haunted Pub Crawls, Special events, Paranormal Celebrity Appearances, Private Tours, Workshops... since 2003

Join the author of "Haunted Dalton, Georgia," Connie Hall-Scott, or one of our experienced guides for a 90-minute walking exploration of the city's ghost-filled streets on Friday and Saturday nights in May through October - beginning at 8 PM. Tours begin and end at the wooden deck, across from the Wink Theatre on W. Crawford Street.

Crown Gardens & Archives

Crown Gardens & Archives image

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

Clisby Austin House image

310-284 Clisby Austin Dr
Tunnel Hill, GA 30755

(706) 876-1571

Clisby Austin House website

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

Bandy Heritage Center image

656 College Dr
Dalton, GA 30720

(706) 272-4452

Bandy Heritage Center website

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.

Berserkers Axe Throwing

Berserkers Axe Throwing image

2927 East Walnut Avenue
Dalton, GA 30721

(706) 671-1082

Berserkers Axe Throwing website

Big’s Axe Throwing

Big’s Axe Throwing image

825 Chattanooga Ave
Dalton, GA 30720

(706) 529-4514

Big’s Axe Throwing website

We are Dalton’s first indoor axe throwing venue. Big's Axe Throwing was established in 2019. We cater to all walks of life. If you want to learn how to throw or sharpen your throwing skills Big’s Axe is the placed to be. Our rustic scenery helps to give an experience as a real axe thrower. We provide the targets, axes, and beer- all we need is you!

Great for special occasions, a night in town, corporate event parties, team building exercises, etc. We promise you will have an axecellent time. Bring your friends and family for an activity that’s out of the ordinary and just have a kick axe time! Throwing for competition or throwing for fun, we hope you can make it back to show off your skills.

Prater’s Mill

Prater’s Mill image

5845 GA-2
Dalton, GA 30721

(706) 694-6455

Prater’s Mill website

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

Hamilton House image

701 Chattanooga Avenue
Dalton, GA 30720

(706) 278-0217

Hamilton House website

Historical redbrick house museum constructed in circa 1840.

Open by appointment only. Please call (706) 278-0217 to schedule a tour.

Dalton Little Theatre

Dalton Little Theatre image

210 N Pentz St
Dalton, GA 30720

706-226-6618

Dalton Little Theatre website

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.