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Georgia On My Mind
written by Kathleen Allardyce
The song Georgia on My Mind was first recorded on September 15, 1930 by the jazz composer who wrote it, Hoagy Carmichael. Eight days later, Ray Charles was born in Albany , Georgia on September 23, 1930 . And, thirty years after that, Ray Charles first recorded the song in 1960.
Even though the song was originally written for a girl named Georgia , it became closely associated with the state. In fact, the Georgia state legislature adopted it as the State Song. Ray Charles performed the song on March 7, 1979 before a joint meeting of the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives to celebrate the event.
The state of Georgia provides good reason to linger in the mind, as the home of everything from breathtaking natural beauty to the city of Atlanta , often called “The Gateway to the South.” Georgia is the largest state east of the Mississippi River . It was one of the 13 original states, and was named after England ’s King George II.
The northern part of the state holds the southern-most portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains . Visitors can explore the natural wonders of the area in several places. Tallulah Gorge State Park is a favorite destination. Walking trails are accessible to view the gorge which is 2 miles long and 1000 feet deep. Amicolola Falls is the highest waterfall in the eastern US.
Mountain towns like Dahlonega are quaint reminders of mountain villages. Dahlonega is famous for shopping in a wide range of galleries, gift shops and regional mountain arts and crafts stores. In 1828, Dahlonega was the site of the first gold rush, started by a gentleman who stubbed his toe on a rock, which turned out to be pure gold. Visitors can revisit that period of history by visiting the town’s gold mines and Gold Museum .
Helen , Georgia is another mountain gem. The town reinvented itself in 1969 as an example of an Alpine village. Evidently the town fathers were looking for a way to revitalize Helen, and turned to a local artist who had been stationed in the Bavarian Alps during World War II. The artist drew sketches of downtown Helen using a Bavarian theme, and the idea caught on. Today the town hosts the biggest Oktoberfest celebration in the South, and attracts visitors who enjoy the almost year-round party atmosphere.
If the ocean is more your style, visit Savannah , Georgia , which is situated on Georgia ’s Atlanta coastline. Savannah was the first city established in Georgia , and has the reputation of being the first planned city in the United States . The original city planners laid out the city in grids, allowing for wide streets and numerous public parks.
Known for its southern charm and rich heritage, Savannah offers visitors a chance to experience the feeling of true Southern hospitality. Carriage tours are the best way to see the town and its 18-19 th century architecture. Walking tours are also popular. For the adventurous, there are Ghost Walks where visitors are treated to a review of the locations in the city known for being haunted by past residents from the city’s long history.
The middle of the state is home to a city that started out as a small town called Terminus. The name was later changed to Marthasville, and was finally given the name it goes by today, Atlanta .
Atlanta retains many characteristics of its Southern roots, but it has grown into a vibrant and cosmopolitan city and state 
capitol. Atlanta is the home of headquarters for companies such as Coca-Cola and CNN. The Coca-Cola World complex, and tours of the CNN studios are popular destinations in the city. Other attractions include the Martin Luther King National Historic Site, the High Museum of Art, the Atlanta Zoo, The Atlanta Botanical Gardens, and the Carter Presidential Center.
Besides President Carter, Georgia has been the birthplace of a variety of celebrities. The music world has been enriched by native Georgians Ray Charles, Trisha Yearwood, Travis Tritt, and Amy Grant. Star Trek fans will recognize the name DeForest Kelly. Sports fans know Jim Brown and (for those who consider wrestling a sport) Hulk Hogan. The acting world has been enriched by Georgia natives including Joanne Woodward, Burt Reynolds, Lawrence Fishburne, and of course, Julia Roberts.
So, come visit the state of Georgia . You’ll be in good company.
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