---
title: HR 471. Historical significance of the 1911 Rand McNally map of Lumpkin County, Georgia; commend
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hr471
cite_as: HR 471, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr471
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr471.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr471/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71084
date: 2025-03-03
status: passed
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-12
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 131
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr471.md?full=1
bill_number: HR 471
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2025-03-03
last_action: House Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Will Wade
  - Lee Hawkins
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR471/2025
upstream_id: 1990308
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - local history
  - Lumpkin County
  - Georgia gold rush
  - historic preservation
---

# HR 471. Historical significance of the 1911 Rand McNally map of Lumpkin County, Georgia; commend

## Text

House Resolution 471
By: Representatives Wade of the 9th and Hawkins of the 27th
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the historical significance of the 1911 Rand McNally map of Lumpkin County,
Georgia; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the 1911 Rand McNally map of Lumpkin County, Georgia, provides a valuable
historical snapshot of the region's geography, infrastructure, and cultural landmarks as they
existed in the early 20th century; and
WHEREAS, this map includes references to significant local features such as the town of
Auraria, established in 1832 during Georgia's first gold rush, which briefly served as the
county seat and was a bustling center for gold mining activities; over time, its prominence
declined, and today it is considered a ghost town with only a few remaining structures; and
WHEREAS, the map also highlights other communities that were once integral to the
county's social and economic fabric but have since diminished or disappeared, including
Porter Springs, a thriving health resort in the late 1800s and early 1900s known for its
mineral springs; and
WHEREAS, the map illustrates the layout of early transportation networks, including
roadways and settlements that shaped the development of small towns and rural communities
within Lumpkin County, such as Wahoo, which had a population of 55 in 1900, and Grace,
both of which were principal trading points in the region less than 10 miles from Dahlonega;
and
WHEREAS, many of the communities, settlements, and named locations on the map reflect
a way of life that has since evolved due to industrialization, urbanization, and shifts in
economic and social structures—even the towns of Stay and Tworun, once known as fertile
regions, saw opportunities dry up and shift toward Dahlonega; and
WHEREAS, preserving and recognizing this historical cartographic record allows for a
deeper appreciation of the county's heritage and provides insight into how landscapes such
as Duke's Creek and its yellow metal in 1828 shaped the area and the state; and
WHEREAS, the study and commemoration of these lost landmarks contribute to the broader
understanding of Georgia's small-town history and the forces that shaped its development
throughout the 20th century.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body recognize the historical significance of the 1911 Rand McNally
map of Lumpkin County, Georgia, and encourage further efforts to document, study, and
educate the public about the county's evolving geography and cultural legacy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the
public and the press.

## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary.

A Georgia House resolution recognizes the historical value of a 1911 Rand McNally map of Lumpkin County and encourages more study of the county's vanished towns and landmarks.

### Plain-language summary

This House resolution does not change any law. It formally recognizes the historical significance of a 1911 Rand McNally map of Lumpkin County, Georgia, which shows the region's geography, roads, and communities as they existed in the early 1900s.
The resolution highlights specific places shown on the map that have since faded or disappeared, including Auraria, once a gold rush boomtown and brief county seat; Porter Springs, a former mineral springs health resort; and smaller settlements like Wahoo, Grace, Stay, and Tworun. It also notes Duke's Creek's role in Georgia's 1828 gold discovery. The resolution encourages further efforts to document, study, and educate the public about Lumpkin County's changing geography and cultural history, and directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies to the public and press.

### What it does

- Formally recognizes the historical significance of the 1911 Rand McNally map of Lumpkin County, Georgia.
- Encourages further efforts to document, study, and educate the public about the county's evolving geography and cultural legacy.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make copies of the resolution available to the public and press.
- Creates no new law, funding, or legal requirement; it is a commemorative statement by the House.

### Who it affects

This resolution mainly affects the historical record and public awareness efforts around Lumpkin County, Georgia. It touches local historians, residents interested in the county's heritage, and the Clerk of the House, who must distribute copies to the public and press.

### Why it matters

Because this is a commemorative resolution rather than a law, it does not change anyone's rights, obligations, or funding. Its practical effect is to put the House's support behind further documentation and public education about Lumpkin County's disappearing historical towns and landmarks.

### Key provisions

- The whereas clauses describe the 1911 map's depiction of Lumpkin County's geography, roads, and communities such as Auraria, Porter Springs, Wahoo, Grace, Stay, and Tworun.
- The resolving clause states the House recognizes the map's historical significance and encourages further documentation, study, and public education.
- A further resolution directs the Clerk of the House to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2025-03-03)
- Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-03-03)
- Sponsors: Will Wade, Lee Hawkins
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71084

> The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr471.md?full=1