The GPAA Buchanan site
Buchanan is located in North Western Georgia in Haralson County, fairly close to the Alabama border. Beech Creek, and a few feeder streams run through the claim which is west of the sr120 bridge crossing over Beech Creek. If your inclined to head over, please check the directions
Beech Creek with a bit of tailings.
The Farm Property
The western area is better known as the Farm. Here Beech Creek varies about 15 to 25 feet in width, with a depth from a few inches to about a foot at most. Once in a while a partial beaver dam might raise the level a bit more. In almost all areas there won't be any issues in locating places to pan or sluice, but it is best suited for dredging. In general decomposing bedrock will be reached anywhere from 3 to 7 feet deep depending upon the location. The further downstream, the deeper you'll have to go. The bedrock areas fluctuate from completely smooth to places where deep crevices are found with stringers of quartz breaking through. It is in such places where the best gold is found.Gold on the property is plentiful at >30 mesh, so bring equipment geared up for the finer particles. Larger sized flakes will also be found. Like any time out there, you may be the one to hit a spot with larger specimens.
A Word of caution: Keep an eye out for Storms East and Northeast of the claim as that area further upstream feeds Beech Creek. A severe storm several miles away can raise the water level pretty quickly back at the Farm property.
A calm deeper area of Beech Creek.
A transitional area with good flow.
Camping
The Farm has a single large high and dry wooded area for camping with sites suited for tents and RVs/trailers up to 30 feet. Bring all the supplies you will need as no water or electric is provided. Porta-Pottys are located on site.
Looking back towards the farm.
A section of the farm area.
A view at the west end at the farm.
Area History
From the 1896 book; "A Preliminary Report on a Part of the Gold Deposits of Georgia" By William Smith Yeates, Samuel Washington McCallie, Francis Plaisted King."J.W.Thomason�s Property, Haralson County, GA. - This property, lot 127, 7th district, as well as some of the adjoining lots, has been worked on a small scale, from time to time, for there placer-deposits. The aggregate area of the entire works, in the vicinity, covers only a few acres, and is confined, principally, to the beds of small streams, flowing into Beech Creek. All attempts to locate the auriferous veins, that have supplied these deposits, seem to have been, so far, unsuccessful."
While in the area, head over to the West Georgia Museum , at 185 Mann St. Tallapoosa, GA 30176. From the Buchanan GPAA site, head west on 120 then south on 100 when you enter Tallapoosa. The Museum includes gold-mining exhibits, a horse-drawn mail wagon, a 19th-century general store and a log cabin.
Haralson County was formed in 1856 from Carroll and Polk Counties.
Courtesy of
Rootsweb - Historical
.
An Historical Chat with, (mp3 format file) with geologist Travis Paris in August 2008, who professionally surveyed the Royal Vindicator (gold) mine in Haralson County in the 1980s.
This discussion is about gold mining in the southeast United States, with special focus on Georgia and its Haralson County. A collection of photographs and other visuals, not published here, is often the subject of the discussion. The interviewer is a scientist/engineer who has no special training in geology and tries to ask some probing questions to educate the lay person.
A search on Gold in Haralson County will show various links to this interview. It is fairly general until the 26 minute mark, where Mr. Paris will detail specifics more on Georgia itself, Dahlonega area then into Haralson County. Please Visit the Rootsweb - Historical page for more details and photo's.
An Historical Chat with, (mp3 format file) with geologist Travis Paris in August 2008, who professionally surveyed the Royal Vindicator (gold) mine in Haralson County in the 1980s.
This discussion is about gold mining in the southeast United States, with special focus on Georgia and its Haralson County. A collection of photographs and other visuals, not published here, is often the subject of the discussion. The interviewer is a scientist/engineer who has no special training in geology and tries to ask some probing questions to educate the lay person.
A search on Gold in Haralson County will show various links to this interview. It is fairly general until the 26 minute mark, where Mr. Paris will detail specifics more on Georgia itself, Dahlonega area then into Haralson County. Please Visit the Rootsweb - Historical page for more details and photo's.
