Old Rock Jail celebrates grand opening of museum

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Old Rock Jail

HIAWASEE, Ga. – A long-awaited, highly anticipated ceremony took place on the grounds of the Towns County Courthouse Saturday, May 20, 2018, memorializing the completion of renovation of the Old Rock Jail. The historic site sits just east of the county courthouse, adjacent to the Towns County Library. Deeded to the Towns County Historical Society Oct. 20, 2016, by former Towns County Commissioner Bill Kendall, efforts to transform the site into a museum proved to be a success.

The Old Rock Jail served as the county jail from 1936 until the mid-1970s, prior to the construction of an updated detention center. The jail was renovated in 1980, and functioned as Hiawassee City Hall, as well as a voting precinct, before abandonment in favor of a modern facility. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. The Towns County Historical Society gained possession of the site Jan. 27, 2017.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony began with words of welcome from Towns County Historian and Master of Ceremonies Jerry Taylor. An invocation was offered by Towns County Historical Society Member Doug Nicholson, followed by the Pledge of Alligence lead by Cub Scouts Pack 407, with the National Anthem sung by Karli Cheeks. Towns County Historical Society officers were announced, with President Sandra Green, Vice President Nancy Cody, Secretary Betty Phillips, Treasurer Frances Shook, and Membership Secretary Mary Ann McCall Miller in attendance.

Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw, former Towns County Commissioner Bill Kendall, and Hiawassee Mayor Liz Ordiales spoke at the ceremony, expressing appreciation to the historical society for their dedicated work toward the project. Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton attended the event.

Jay “Junior” Chastain and Trey Chastain, the son and grandson of former Sheriff Jay Chastain were recognized. Sheriff Chastain lost his life in the line of duty in 1974, and Chastain was the the last sheriff to live in the Old Rock Jail.

Towns County Historical Society Deputy Historian Jason Edwards presented the history of the Old Rock Jail to the sizable crowd.

Towns County Chamber of Commerce President Candace Lee orchestrated the ribbon-cutting.

The museum features artifacts from Towns County’s past, with some items donated and others on loan. Photographs from days gone by grace the vine-roped stone of the interior, with the downstairs living quarters revived to its former glory. The upper-level of the museum contains the cells where inmates were once housed, as well as the former sheriffs’ office, and the area is available for public viewing.

Towns County Historical Society meets on the second Monday of each month, at 5:30 p.m. at the former Senior Center, located at 900 North Main St. in Hiawassee.

Information on becoming a member of the society can be found at TownsCountyHistory.org.

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