Hightower Ridge, GA

About Hightower Ridge

• • Guitarist Duane Allman, of the Allman Brothers Band, spent formative years in Hightower Ridge.
• • The 'Ridge Runner' banjo style is said to have originated in Hightower Ridge music circles.
• • Gold mining in the early 1800s brought initial settlers and attention to the ridge.
• • Local legend says a buried stash of gold remains hidden near an old moonshiner's still.
• • A devastating fire in 1922 destroyed much of the downtown area, prompting rebuilding.
• • Named for its location, Hightower Ridge was established near the High Tower Trail around 1834.
• • The population is roughly 800, making it smaller than most nearby towns.
• • Its elevation is 1,500 feet, providing cooler summers than the surrounding valleys.
• • Agriculture, particularly apple orchards, remains a key part of the local economy.
• • A sense of quiet community and deep connection to the land permeates the air.
• • The Atlanta Braves, 60 miles away, had a 25-game win streak in 1999.
• • Hightower Ridge High's 1988 basketball team won the state championship in a stunning upset.

Songs About Hightower Ridge