Bell Mountain staircase vandalized by hatchet attack
News July 26, 2019
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Presumed to have occurred at some point last weekend, the wooden staircase leading to the upper viewing platform on Bell Mountain was soon discovered destroyed by an unknown vandal wielding what appeared to, based on the condition of the structure, to have been an axe or hatchet. The county park was closed from Monday, July 22, through Wednesday, July 24, to allow time for inmate labor to repair the damage. Towns County Commissioner’s Office reported “an enormous amount of phone calls” throughout the week, asking why the popular mountain peak was closed.
While vandalism to the Bell Mountain area is not new, the nature of this particular instance was considered extreme. Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw enacted enforcement to preserve the summit last year, installing cameras throughout the park to deter grafitti. The perpetrator of the recent “hatchet attack” was not visible on reviewed surveillance, however.
Trees on Bell Mountain, marred with graffiti
“No more painting on Bell Mountain,” Commissioner Bradshaw announced in April, 2018. “People are painting nasty stuff on the roads, on the platforms, on the trees, and of course, the rocks, so I don’t have a problem with stopping it. I’ve been working with Sheriff (Chris) Clinton on this. We’ve got cameras up there now. We’ve got new signs up saying you cannot paint.”
Numerous park signs alerting of the regulation were installed, and while the park is continuously monitored by camera surveillance, not all areas of the summit are within electronic view, an issue that the commissioner plans to soon address. Criminal charges will be brought against those who violate the county’s mandate, Bradshaw asserted. Two female juveniles were arrested for spray painting in the county park soon after the ordinance took effect.
Bell Mountain was deeded to Towns County in 2015 by the Hal Herrin estate, and offers a magnificent panoramic view of the Appalachian Mountains and Lake Chatuge. The park open to the public from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. during the winter months, and from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. during daylight savings time to allow opportunities for nocturnal photography.
Bell Mountain Park is located 1.3 miles east of Hiawassee Town Square, off State Route 76. Turn left onto Shake Rag Road, travel 1.5 miles to Bell Mountain Road, turn right, and proceed an additional mile to reach the Bell Mountain Park summi
6 Comments
This location is such Jewel for Hiawassee and Towns County. Vandalism is such a senseless crime. I have never understood the reasons behind it.
It’s sad that inconsiderate, illiterate people can do such damage to such a beautiful area they should be prosecuted to the full extent and then some
Should have never paid it – kept low life’s like this from being able to get up there
Typo meant *paved it
The Jeepers that use to drive up there didn’t do anything like this. They were thought to be destroying the mountain. Not even close to what’s going on now. Now that everyone knows about Bell Mountain, more people are visiting and unfortunately, now it really is being destroyed. Start charging people to visit and put up a camera.
What a shame !!! I hope they somehow can find out who did this !!! If anyone knows who did this, please come forward