Dahlonega is home to the historical and world-famous Smith House Inn and Restaurant, located just up Georgia 400, one block off the public square in Dahlonega, Georgia. This beautiful inn offers tastefully decorated rooms and completely furnished villas on Dahlonega’s historic public square.

Imagine the surprise when workers, while removing the concrete floor of the main dining room on February 12th, stumbled upon what appears to be an old gold mine shaft. The shaft, which measures just over twenty feet deep and four feet wide has been perfectly sealed under the floor for more than one hundred years.

Workers were removing the concrete flooring in order to renovate the previously used dining room for a new restroom area. This is part of a two-phase project which includes expansion of the restaurant and hotel areas. The hotel is anticipating an expansion which will increase the property by 52 additional guest rooms and meeting facilities for 200 guests.

The Smith House invites readers to visit their web site for updates on any findings or developments in this intriguing story.

History of the Smith House

The history of The Smith House goes back to 1884 when a gentleman by the name of Captain Hall purchased an acre of land east of the town square and started to excavate the land in order to build. To his delight, his son discovered that the property held a very rich vein of gold ore. His delight was soon turned to frustration when all attempts to setup a mining operation were halted by the city fathers. The city officials would not allow a mine just one block from the public square, no matter how rich the vein. After losing his law suit against the city he built his house right on top of the vein.

So today the home known as The Smith House, still stands on that vein of Dahlonega gold. When the house was completed, Captain Hall used the seven rooms upstairs for his living quarters. He used the basement -- what is now the dining room -- for storage of his mining equipment. The first floor was used as an assay office. The columned building beside the main house was Captain Hall’s carriage house.

The upper part served as a barn, and the basement housed the livestock. Captain Hall moved to Atlanta, and after his death, the property was purchased by Henry and Bessie Smith in 1922. The Smiths turned their home into an Inn with seven rooms for travelers. The price of a room and meals was $1.50 a day. And so these were the humble beginnings of The Smith House we know and visit today.

The Smith House
84 South Chestatee Street
Dahlonega, GA 30533
706-867-7000
800-852-9577
info@smithhouse.com
www.smithhouse.com