Gilmer County, Georgia: History
The area was long inhabited by cultures of indigenous peoples. It was part of the homeland of the Cherokee. They had a village, Elatseyi, meaning "new ground". Other sources say it means "green place". It was sometimes spelled "Elejoy" on 18th-century colonial maps. It was located at the confluence of the Ellijay and Cartecay Rivers, which create the Coosawattee River. The later European-American town of Ellijay developed at this site.
In 1832, Gilmer County was organized as Georgia started to encroach on Cherokee territory. Ellijay was designated as the county seat in 1834.
On January 12, 1854, parts of Gilmer County, as well as parts of neighboring Union County, were taken to form the newly created Fannin County, Georgia.
The area was an infamous hotbed for illegal moonshine operations in the Prohibition era. ATF agent Duff Floyd patrolled both Gilmer County and nearby Dawson County for many years.
This is still a primarily rural county, with agriculture and forests supporting the economy. It also has a growing tourist sector, some based on whitewater kayaking and canoeing on the rivers in the area.