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Gooch & Fifty, Blairsville, GA (2026)

05/27/2026

Preservation Month (Catch Up Post): Day 7

Preservation Opinion Poll

If you could save, restore, or bring back ONE historic place in Union County exactly as it once was, what would it be and why?

05/27/2026

Preservation Month (Catch Up Post): Day 6

Pieces Of Preservation

When it comes to preservation, you will notice that it comes not only in completely renovated buildings, but also in smaller pieces. Sometimes, this includes ruins. Sometimes, it includes old documents or papers. Other times, it includes original doors, windows, ceilings, or other surviving parts of a home or historic building.

You may or may not have noticed, but if you have ever walked from the Blairsville City Parking Lot through the walkway past Keen Creations and Blairsville City Hall onto Blue Ridge Street, there are actual jail cell bars over the second-story windows of the Blairsville City Hall building. For a better sense of direction, these bars sit directly across from the entrance to Keen Creations.

What many may not realize is that before serving as Blairsville City Hall, this building once housed the Old Union County Jail for many years. In fact, it is listed on the NRHP (National Register of Historic Places) as the Old Union County Jail and was added to the register on September 13, 1985.

The building is remembered by many locals as the former jail where past Union County sheriffs once worked and where arrested residents were once held. In more lighthearted memories, many also remember the years when Sheriff Harlan Duncan and his wife, Ruth, both worked and lived there.

Some locals, including daughters of late pharmacist Jack Lance, who once co-owned Hill-Lance Drugs in the building, still recall walking out of the drugstore basement and hearing prisoners attempting to speak to them through those very same jail window bars.

Up until recent years, the original jail cell doors reportedly still remained inside before eventually being removed to make room for storage. Those same bars seen in the windows today are also believed to date back to that era.

As one local story goes, at least one of the bars may have actually been replaced after two former prisoners once attempted to saw through them during an escape attempt after razor blades were allegedly smuggled in by the pregnant girlfriend of one of the inmates visiting from Ohio. Unfortunately for the prisoners, they were caught before escaping.

If these are still the same bars from that era, they remain small but powerful pieces of Union County history that thankfully still survive today.

05/23/2026

After taking a scroll on United Community Bank's page after our post, we ran across this! From the Blairsville Square to Times Square! How cool!

05/23/2026

Preservation Month(Catch Up Post): Day 5

Preservation Perfection

"The bank that service built." That's the motto for what we know today as United Community Bank. What some still may not know, however, is that before United Community Bank became the dominating "small" bank it is today, worth billions in assets and spread throughout 6 states, it was once known as Union County Bank. Some even refer to it as "The bank that Blairsville built." Why? Because before it was United Community Bank, it was Blairsvillians who first invested in the bank.

Established in March 1950, the founding officers of the bank were as follows: Mr. Emory Spear Dockery(President), James Young Denton(Chairman of the Board), and J.C. Denton(Executive Vice President and Cashier). Little did these three men know that their bank would catapult into becoming one of the most successful community banks in the Southern United States.

One of the buildings that once housed this very bank is the present-day Robert M. Jones Insurance Agency building. On the front of the building still sit the clocks that stood there during the bank's days. Even though the front no longer reads "Union County Bank," the lettering style of "Mike Jones Insurance Agency" still closely resembles the original bank font. When walking inside, even more of the past remains, as the original bank counter is still preserved today.

The building stands as a wonderful example of preserving the past while still conducting business in modern times and keeping the charm of earlier days alive. Even today, many still talk about how it feels like walking back into the old bank they remember from childhood.

The history of this building, however, goes back even further than the bank itself. In fact, it reaches back to the days of the old J.A.(James Allen) Butt Dry Goods store(And eventually a drugstore). During those years, the front of the building looked much different than it does today. Unlike today's flatter-looking entrance, the older architecture featured a more recessed/sunken storefront entrance. The earlier design also included columns supporting an awning and classic double doors, giving it a much more traditional early-1900s appearance compared to the more industrial look seen today.

And if you look closely into the window of the business to the left, you can still make out the remaining lettering from the old W.E.(William Ezekiel)/T.S.(Thomas Slaughter) Candler attorney's office, with the letters "DLER" still visible.

As we look back at the humble beginnings of this bank, just like many others, we can now look at its present and future as Union Countians with pride for what it has become. We can proudly say that it was the early investments and support from this community that gave this bank the foundation it needed to grow into the powerhouse it is today.

From this tiny little bank on the Blairsville Square, the bank continued growing through the decades and eventually reached the status of Georgia's 3rd-largest headquartered bank. Today, the bank holds $28.2 billion in total assets and operates more than 200 locations across 6 states, including Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida.

The bank grew so large, in fact, that in 2021 its official headquarters moved from Blairsville to Greenville, South Carolina, where it is now South Carolina's largest headquartered bank.

Although the bank eventually outgrew the town that first helped build it, the former buildings that once housed the bank still stand today as reminders of where it all began. As a business that deeply loves and respects history and historical preservation, we tip our hats to the business owner who continues preserving the historical charm of this specific building today. Job well done.

05/22/2026

Yep. We know. Where have we been for the rest of Preservation Month? Truthfully, enjoying Europe and trying to have a vacation and take a much needed break! We will finish out the rest of this Preservation Month in catch up posts!

Preservation Month(Catch Up Post) Day 4

Did You Know?

Blairsville is home to "Coca-Cola Candlers". If you are wondering what we mean by that, we mean that Blairsville is home to Candler family members that are related to the Coca-Cola tycoon who made the worldwide famous soft drink the success that it has become. That tycoon's name was Asa Griggs Candler. His first cousin was no other than William Ezekiel Candler(Father of Thomas Slaughter Candler-A first cousin once removed) who brought the Candler roots to Blairsville.

As the late Union County Historian Ethelene Dyer Jones put it(One of our most valuable sources), William Ezekiel Candler came to Blairsville during the intense days of the American Civil War. For those familiar with American Civil War history, we know that in 1864, United States Army Major General William T. Sherman was setting his sights on the infamous "Sherman's March to the Sea". Living in Milledgeville(Georgia's Capitol city at the time) with his parents Ezekiel Slaughter Candler and Jane S.(Williams), Sherman's March was set to go right in their direction. Records indicate that to get young William Ezekiel out of the path of the destruction to come, his parents sent him by way of their slave up through North Georgia and into Blairsville to live with his sister Sara Margaret Candler Wellborn who was married to the prominent Judge Carlton Juan Wellborn. In isolated Blairsville he was sure to be safe. He was just 8 years old. However, as you will see shared with photos, an AJC article reports a little differently.

Eventually, Sherman's March to the Sea was over as was the American Civil War. Even after the fact, William Ezekiel Candler still stayed put in Blairsville, even after his father's death in 1869. He was educated through the local one-room school rooms and eventually himself got involved in reading law, going on to pass the bar examination. With this profession, William Ezekiel Candler found himself very successful and later passed this trade down to his son, Thomas Slaughter Candler, who became an eventual Georgia State Supreme Court Associate Justice. Thomas Slaughter Candler, like his father, remained in Union County and raised his family here. The home he raised his family in is the red brick building that is now home to North Georgia Beverage, just across the road from where his former 2-story childhood home once stood.

Thomas Slaughter Candler and his wife Beulah Cook Candler had 4 children: Sarah (died 1992) married Jason B. Gilliland; William Ezekiel (called “Buck” died of diphtheria in 1921); Nell married Walter McNeil; and Thomas Slaughter Candler, Jr. married Blanche Patton. Out of these 4 children, Thomas Jr.(AKA Tom) and his wife Blanche both also remained in Blairsville and raised their daughter Tommie here. Tom ran what was known as the Candler Filling Station on the square(On site of Thomas Slaughter Candler's former childhood home). He and his family lived in the upstairs portion of that building. Today, the building hosts Cabin Coffee Co. - Blairsville, GA, Megatone Music, and lastly, but not least importantly, the The Candler Station Town Square. Tommie Candler, daughter to Tom and Blanche, still owns the building today and remains in Blairsville after having also raised her 2 daughters in Blairsville. Additionally, with Tommie being a grandmother now, this makes for 6 generations of "Coca-Cola Candlers" in Union County.

And while it is a cool fact to know that our Union County Candlers are related to the Candlers of Coca-Cola, it is also important to note and remember that our Union County Candlers also made a name for themselves in their own rights through their own careers and blazed their own paths.

05/04/2026

Preservation Month: Day 3

Yesterday's Preservation Month post was about what happens when a community comes together to save its history. Today is about what happens when it doesn’t.

For generations, the “old rec gym”, or the “red barn gym” as it was even often called, was more than just a building. It was where basketball games were played and basketball practices were held for decades. Where Union County youth learned the basics and fundamentals of the game of basketball and got their "first taste" of competition. Where square dances were held. Where donkey ball brought people together with laughter and humor. Where proms, gatherings, and even pageants were held. And where many Sorghum Festival parades began. It was a place where memories were made.

And just beside that gym sat the first consolidated Union County High School, and later the Mountain Education Center. That’s where thousands of students shared lunches, learned life lessons, learned their basic skills needed in life, built friendships, earned their high school diplomas, and grew up together. For many, it’s where their story in Union County truly began.

In addition, it was also believed to be the 2nd oldest standing gym in Northeast Georgia(This includes the counties of Union, Banks, Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Habersham, Lumpkin, Pickens, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, and White Counties) behind Tate Gymnasium, which still stands today at 100 years old and has been repurposed as an event center. To see more of what happens at this very gym in Tate, we encourage you to check out this link: https://pickensprogress.com/100-year-old-historic-tate-gym-headlines-saturdays-tate-day/

But sadly today, these historical Union County buildings and treasures are gone. Torn down less than a year ago. Replaced with something new. Something "needed". Something practical. New baseball and softball fields.

And to be fair, there were reasons, just like there were reasons to just go ahead and tear down the historical courthouse many years ago. The buildings were aging. There were concerns about structural issues. There were even talks of deterioration and potential hazards. At the same time, the county is growing. Space is limited. And opportunities, like the availability of dirt from the Highway 515 expansion, don’t come around often.

So a decision was made. But here’s the question that will always linger: Was there another way where preservation and modernization could have co-existed?

Because sometimes, preservation isn’t just about saving a building as-is. It’s about reimagining what it could become. There was a vision to see that gym repurposed(Don't believe it? Check the screenshot from the Gooch and Fifty website about page in the photos, which was written back in 2023 after the initial launch of the website). That was as a Union County Sports Hall of Fame and event center.

A place that could have done/been the following:

•Honored generations of local athletes and aspired future athletes to excel and accomplish bigger and better feats than those before them.

•Expanded beyond the small sports room at the Historical Society that could have showed a bigger meaning of Union County Panther pride, not just in sports, but in showing that even the oldest buildings where memories were made and our tradition mattered and was valued.

•Continued hosting events, gatherings, and celebrations for the community.

•And lastly, but not least importantly, kept the culture and history alive within the very walls where it all happened.

Instead, that opportunity is gone.
We may never know "for certain" if both could have existed, meaning the new fields and the preservation of what stood there before. However, what we do know is this:

A place that once held decades of memories now exists only in memory. And that’s the reality when preservation isn’t part of the conversation.
It’s not always about choosing between progress and history. Sometimes, it’s about having the vision to find a way to honor both.

Because once something like that is gone, it’s gone for good.

05/03/2026

Preservation Month: Day 2

Built in 1899. Nearly lost in the 1970s, to become a parking lot. Today? The heart of Union County.

Preservation saved this.

More than that, the fight, the will, and the heart of a community saved it. Without that effort, imagine Downtown Blairsville without this landmark. Not just the look of it, but the feeling of it. It wouldn’t be the same, would it?

At the time, tearing it down made sense. The clock tower was leaning, dangerously so. Braces had to be installed just to keep the structure standing.
Court operations had to move elsewhere. Parking was needed. Repairs were estimated between $10,000 and $50,000. That’s roughly $113,000 to $567,000 today. And at the time, Union County was one of the poorest counties in Georgia.

By all accounts, demolition could have been called “progress.” But instead, the community chose a different kind of progress. They chose preservation. They chose to restore the building, protect its history, and give it new life.

Today, it serves as the Union County Historical Society Museum. A place where historical artifacts and pieces are preserved, where families research their roots, where concerts and lectures are held, and where history is not just remembered, but experienced.

A building that could have been lost is now a place where memories continue to be made.Because of that decision, we didn’t just save a building. we preserved a piece of who we are.

Progress isn’t always tearing down the old to build the new. Sometimes, it’s finding a better use for what already exists. The citizens of Union County proved that in the 1960s and 1970s. They showed us that preservation is progress. And because of them, this landmark still stands today.

05/03/2026

Late not on purpose, but because we happened to run across a reminder of what this month is.

Last year and this year, we did Black History Month and Women’s History Month. This year and this month, we are going to celebrate another month based around the subject of history. Preservation Month.

Around here, that means something…Or at least it should. Because without preservation, Union County could start to look very different in just a few short years.

Each year, it seems our population continues to grow. The traffic on the roads gets heavier. New homes and subdivisions seem to pop up by the minute. Highways are widening and expanding. And the tearing down of historical buildings is starting to feel like an all-too-common theme.

As many know, these are not things that everyone is happy with. And while some of this change and “progress” cannot ultimately be stopped, the bigger reality is this:

How that growth happens, and the direction it takes, can be controlled. That is, of course, with a strong will from a determined community.

That’s where preservation comes in. Preservation isn’t about stopping progress. It’s about guiding it. It’s about making sure that as Union County grows, it doesn’t lose the very things that made people want to come here in the first place.

It’s the homes that tell stories.
It’s the buildings that have stood for generations.
It’s the people, the places, and the history that make this community feel like home.

Because once those things are gone…They’re gone for good.

That’s why this month matters.

Throughout May, we’re going to be highlighting the places, the people, and the stories that define Union County: What we still have, what we’ve almost lost, and why it’s worth protecting moving forward.

Not just to look back…but to help shape what comes next. Because preservation doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when a community decides it matters.

04/25/2026

Being ones to celebrate Union County history like we do, we hate to be late to the party, but we want to be sure to congratulate the Union County boys and girls soccer and track and field teams on their recent successes! Boys soccer and girls and boys track and field each won region championships, while the Union County girls soccer team won a share of the Region 7-AA Championship! Since these feats, the UCHS boys and girls soccer teams have advanced to the Sweet 16 of the GHSA AA Public State Tournament! Congratulations and continued success to all of these UCHS athletic teams!

04/25/2026

FINAL CALL: Gooch & Fifty Trivia and Rewards Sponsorships

Alright folks, we’ve gone door to door, call by call, day by day getting sponsors lined up and we are close to finally wrapping up.

We have just 15 sponsorship spots left. If we’ve already reached out to you, we need a yes or no from you and your business ASAP so we can finalize things. If not, this is your chance to jump in before these last spots are gone.

This event has been built for rewards, primarily around small businesses like restaurants and shops, because with the way this year is structured around gift cards, those types of businesses have the opportunity to benefit directly from participation and exposure. For businesses like attorneys, insurance agencies, and similar services, this is more of a community support and advertising opportunity, not a direct return model, BUT we will still be offering advertising to you and the opportunity to get in front of the camera to introduce yourselves, your business, and everything you want others to know about you and your business(And in a fun way too), so this sponsorship isn't for nothing!

At this point, we’re also open to personal sponsors, whether you’re connected to our Union County Legends mural as a descendant of one of the featured legends, a supporter of local history, or just someone who wants to see this grow and succeed.

We are looking for 15 more Silver Sponsors at $100 each to reach our goal.

If you’re interested or want more details, reach out here:
[email protected].

Once we lock in our final sponsors, we’ll be releasing full public details for this year’s event.
Thank you to everyone who has already stepped up and supported! We appreciate it more than you know! Let’s finish this out strong!

04/24/2026

📢🚨TOUR GUIDES WANTED🚨📢

Gooch and Fifty is looking to get back to our tour season ASAP and this means we are looking to contract with outgoing individuals for tour guides to conduct tours for our food, history, and crime and murder tours. Right now, we only have volunteers, but we REALLY need more guides who can commit to more tours consistently!

Our Buttered and Boozed Food Tour has a maximum of up to 12 people per tour and our historical walking tour and Crime and Murder tour both allow up to a max of 25 people per tour.

Tour guides will:
● Study and learn the scripts/facts to know and conduct a practice run(s) with Gooch and Fifty
personnel.
● Meet the scheduled tour attendees at the Blairsville location where the tour begins(Parking lot of Kenya L. Patton Attorney at Law and behind Hole in the Wall/Logan's Turnpike Mill)
● Lead and inform clients of the content of each tour.
● Troubleshoot any issues that arise during the tour.
● Respond to any questions.
● Track comments received during the tour.
● Provide a feedback form at the end of the tour.

Each guide will earn $50 for each tour PLUS you will keep 100% of tips.

Training and scripts/facts to know and share on tours are provided.

Tours will take place Thursdays - Saturdays from April - October(This year we are behind schedule, so we are aiming to begin at least one of the tours this May). You must sign up for a minimum of 4 tours for each month you sign up for.

Requirements: Outgoing personality, organized, and a good story teller. If this sounds like you, we would like to talk to you. Please contact [email protected].

Gooch & Fifty

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