Underwater Ghost Towns of North Georgia

by Lisa M. Russell

North Georgia has more than forty lakes, and not one is natural. The state's controversial decision to dam the region's rivers for power and water supply changed the landscape forever. Lost communities, forgotten crossroads, dissolving racetracks and even entire towns disappeared, with remnants occasionally peeking up from the depths during times of extreme drought. The creation of Lake Lanier displaced more than seven hundred families. During the construction of Lake Chatuge, busloads of schoolboys were brought in to help disinter graves for the community's cemetery relocation. Contractors clearing land for the development of Lake Hartwell met with seventy-eight-year-old Eliza Brock wielding a shotgun and warning the men off her property. Lisa Russell dives into the history hidden beneath North Georgia's lakes.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Southern

210 pages, Hardcover

Published August 6, 2018

Reviews

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Subject/content: 4.5 stars
Execution: 2 stars


The book isn't written or organized very well, and doesn't take a consistent stance. But the information and photos are absolutely fascinating, and this book helps make them easily accessible.

The book opens and closes with a very ecological bent, taking about how wild and unique the local ecology was and how that's all been irrevocably lost. But some of the sections, including the Georgia Power Lakes, seem very apologist. On the one hand, people's dissatisfaction and protests are documented, but then the author goes way out on a limb to claim, "If the residents of old Burton could see the purposeful beauty of Late Burton, they would be proud of their sacrifice" and that Lake Burton "revitalizes the natural environment." From speculative to specious! And sounds like Georgia Power propaganda.

There were also some stories touched upon that I would have like to have seen expanded on - like the five families that refused to leave even after Lake Chatuge had begun to fill.

Aside from all that, I'm quite glad this book exists! I would like to see an expanded second edition.

[Kristi Winter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize that almost all of the lakes in North Georgia are man made! It's crazy! This book describes the lost towns and communities buried under the waters of these lakes. Entire communities had to move. It was very eye opening to see how the government treated these people. The thought of all that history including Cherokee Indian grounds is just wiped away...Forts, mills, graves, churches, school yards, race car tracks...I can't imagine what Georgia would look like today if all those beautiful rivers still ran wild...

"Just like any wild thing. As you get closer to it, it moves away. It doesn't want to get caught. It doesn't want to get dissected. There is a certain amount of mystery, you need to leave intact."

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a bit of a misleading title as there is not as much about the actual towns that existed before the lakes (I'd say maybe half the book?) - and a lot of background on the lakes' construction - which is a sad commentary on how little information there is on the people and places that existed before "progress."

Her introduction warned that the theme of the book was affected by the ecological and social impacts of the dams and lake creations, but there was a lot of that mentioned (probably the other half of the book) and repeated. I understand there was a need to mention these impacts, which was done in the beginning of the chapters. but then it was repeated for practically every lake. Also, there was way too much information about each dam and how they were constructed. Again, good to have some of that included but for someone wanting to read about the lost towns, it felt like too much about the lakes' formation.

I felt like the book was a good start, with some information on how some of the lakes were named, the meanings of some of the Cherokee words, the history of some of the old towns and some of the photos were fascinating. Reading about the old town of Burton is one good example. Some of the recollections of some of the past residents also was great, but I wished there had been more of that. I wish there could have been more on some of the families mentioned, particularly after they moved.

I think the book is worth checking out but I wish there had been more depth than there was. I suspect part of this was due to the fact that there is not much recorded history, but I'd have to read similar books on this topic.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the afterword, the author attempted to explain the “ghost” in her title. A more appropriate (but less catchy) title probably, _The Human Toll of Capturing Rivers to Create Lakes in Georgia_. The photographs are a great reason for owning this book. I will be looking for more information from other sources.

[Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating account of Georgia history! I wish the author had included a map of all the lakes, even as a person who was born in North Georgia. And I wish she had expanded more on Lake Lanier.

[Linda Vest]

Interesting but not as much info as I desired on this topic.

[Li'el Cohen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very excited to read this book, being a fairly new resident of northeast Georgia. However, the books is poorly written. There are a considerable number of grammatically incorrect sentences; the information isn't presented in chronological order so that you can get a sense of progress; there is no overall map indicating where the lakes are (which seems an odd omission); the information is out of order so that battles repeat themselves several times; and there is notable information missing. For instance, it states that Lake Lanier was named after Sidney Lanier at the request of Confederate veterans, but there is no biographical information on him. Very, very disappointed.

[Emily Ver Steeg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very interesting, and I enjoyed learning more about the man-made lakes of North Georgia. I always knew that all of GA’s lakes were man-made, but I never knew how extensive the damning projects were. I do think this book feels incomplete—a lot of information was left out. We spent hardly any time at all with Lake Lanier, and the flooded Oscarville only got a passing mention. But it’s a great place to start learning more about Georgia’s reservoirs.

[Jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very informative and taught me a lot about the state I reside in. However I'm a bit disappointed as I had expected more information about the lore/ghost stories of the lakes filled over the historic towns, such as lake Lanier. I thought about not finishing this book but I'm glad I pressed on. It was a hit out of my comfort zone but I learned quite a bit and for that I'm grateful to have read this book.

[Joy Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know any of this about the rivers, lakes, and towns in Georgia except for the fact that all the lakes were man made. If these stories were fiction, they would be amazing, but knowing they are true makes them unbelievable! Well researched so we don’t have to go back to the archives. Thanks to Lisa M. Russell for keeping the memories alive.

[Stephanie Lincecum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. For those interested in the rivers and environment, history, and/or people of North Georgia. Full review on blog here >> https://peachypast.blogspot.com/2019/...

[Cyrus Alderwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great collection of regional history. A lot of this was new to me, but if you're a fan of learning local/regional history this is a great book. Well written, enjoyed it. You can tell the author has a passion for the history and did a lot of research to put this book together.

[Sharaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard about a town being buried under Lake Lanier in north Georgia. Nice to find out about the history of Georgia's lakes.

[Genevieve Lambert · Rating 4 out of 5]

My drives through Georgia are not the same. Lisa M. Russell offers enough research to keep me researching. Thanks for the work.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Specific history book. Also a little environmentalism, and quotes from local guy Philip Lee Williams!

[Leann Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and informative, wish there were sequels for the rest of the GA lakes.

[Kim Nunemaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read. Informative

[Amy Caloritis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely learned a few things reading this book, but I found vacillating between textbook-esque blurbs and the more conversational tone to be disjointed.