A brief overview of Habersham County, Georgia, including its two colleges, North Georgia Technical Institute and Piedmont College, including sights and activities.
Habersham County, Georgia, found in the extreme Northeastern Georgia corner, was established in 1818, and named after Joseph Habersham. The southwest border of the county is formed by the Chattahoochee River. The northeast border was once created by the Tallulah River, but, damming by Georgia Power reduced the flow of the river to a trickle. Still, Tallulah Gorge State Park resides in this area, and provides great fun for tourists to the North Georgia Mountains, and income for the locals, year after year.
The Gorge, also known as the "Niagara of the South," was once the main tourist attraction in the Southeastern United States. However, when Georgia Power decided to dam the Tallulah River, the water supply for breathtaking Tallulah Falls was no longer available, eliminating the mighty natural wonder. Thus, visitation to the Gorge all but ceased--until 1993, when Governor Zell Miller announced the creation of a state park at the Gorge. Now, visitors and residents alike can take advantage of all the Gorge has to offer, from hiking on the beautiful trails to swimming in man-made Tallulah Lake.
Today, Habersham is home to two centers of higher learning: North Georgia Technical Institute, located in Clarksville, and Piedmont College, located in Demorest. NGTI began its life as North Georgia Trade and Vocational School in 1944. In 1962, the name was changed to North Georgia Technical and Vocational School and, finally, in 1987, to the current NGTI. Today, the school offers various degree programs, and even offers some courses by the Internet. And, in addition to its Clarksville campus, a second campus was added in 1998 in Blairsville, Georgia.
Piedmont College was established in Demorest in 1897. Originally known as the J.S. Green Collegiate Institute, the name was changed to Piedmont College in 1903. Currently, the campus is home to about 1700, with average class size being around 16. It is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and offers B.A. and B.S. degrees in 26 fields of study.
