Have you ever noticed how the roof overhangs on some of the buildings in Hiawassee look similar? Well, there is a reason. In the 1970s, the nondescript and declining town of Helen underwent a deliberate and extensive facelift to resemble a Bavarian village. As a result, the tourist trade transformed the sleepy little town into a bustling economic hot spot in the mountains. Seeking to ride the coat tails of that economic boom, Hiawassee and Hayesville sought to become western frontier towns. A concentrated effort was made to have the businesses use board shingles on their overhangs and create, where possible with porch posts, a unified look throughout the town. While the goal was never 100% achieved in Hiawassee, the look was very much evident and created a sense of community spirit unknown since the Centennial. However as time went on the fervor faded, and with no city ordinances in place, “the look” is now all but forgotten. (On the other hand, neighboring Hayesville has kept “the look” around the square.)
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 06:25:14 +0000
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