Vogel State Park

Address: 405 Vogel State Park Rd, Blairsville, GA 30512

Description: Georgia's 2nd oldest state park

History: Opened in 1931 as just Georgia's 2nd state park, the property of this park once belonged to a Wisconsin-based leather tanning company known as Pfister & Vogel Company. The company used the property for growing trees so the trees could be sent back to tan leather. Bonnell Stone, the company's advisor and forest ranger, eventually inspired the donation of the land to the State of Georgia so that Vogel State Park and Lake Trahlyta could be born. In order for the park and lake to be built, it would require the help and hands of the Civilian Conservation Corps boys who helped to build roads, build the dam for Lake Trahlyta, and to build cabins for the park in which they would eventually stay while continuing to work on the park. Finally, in 1931, the gates would open and ever since, the park has been host to millions of visitors, receiving hundreds of thousands annually.

Fun Facts: 1. The park was established in 1931. 2. Many of the cabins offered for lodging today was actually built for and lived in by the Civilian Conservation Corps boys AKA CCC Boys at the time of the park's construction. 3. The large lake, sitting in the park's center, was named in honor of a mythical "Indian Princess" who is supposedly now buried in nearby Lumpkin County, Georgia. 4. The park plays host to many festivals and events annually. 5. The park has hundreds of camping sites available.