There is a mystical beauty about nature. As human beings we are curious, exploring and discovering new places has always fascinated my family. We love to be without a cellphone signal lost in the mountains hearing the sound of the water hitting the stones in the nearby creek. The idea of disconnecting from our hectic lifestyle and excellent sweet wine is my wife’s perfect day of relaxation.
For many years now, people have been asking a daily question on the streets of Helen. The question is usually the same: “How did this town happen?” They are part of the thousands of people who flock to see the minor miracle that transformed the tiny town into an Alpine Village.
The transformation began without fanfare, preliminary publicity, without endless meeting, reports and fund raising and without any Federal or State handouts. Quite simply the Alpine Village idea began when several local businessmen gathered at a riverside restaurant, looked out a window and saw their bleak moetown with its dull, dreary row of block structures like an old western town done in cement and saw the town with fresh eyes. During that fateful luncheon it was decided that something should be done to clean up the town to attract the tourists driving through on their way to the lakes and national forest recreation areas nearby.
Helen, Georgia the beautiful small town in the Alpine mountains.
In late 1968 a businessman approached an artist, John Kollock, who has a home in the neighboring town of Clarkesville to present an idea to redesign the Helen town. Mr. Kollock was also an Army veteran that was stationed in Bavaria Germany. His inspiration came by seen the similarities of the Bavaria landscape to the North Georgia Mountains.
Mr. Kollock photographed the whole business section of Helen and within a week presented a series of water color sketches of what the face of Helen would look like in Alpine style. The businessmen eagerly accepted the sketches and Jim Wilkins President of Orbit Manufacturing Co., said “Let’s do it. You can do my building first.” A week later the townsmen and local carpenters began turning ideas into reality. That was in January of 1969. The work continues to date.
Once the remodeling was begun, everyone pitched in on a beautification program to make Helen a true Cinderella town.”
Even though the history behind the town is not glamorous. Once you are in the town you will be overwhelmed by its beauty.
If you are looking for a place to relax and enjoy the surrounding fantastic nature, then Helen is the town to go. From outdoor activities, great food, sweets, wine tasting.
You can visit any time of the year and you will find awesome activities to do.