As Thanksgiving is fast approaching, it's time to reflect on all the good things that have been bestowed upon us. We are thankful for our health, jobs, family, friends, and our beloved Ball Ground, which provides us with many of life's simple pleasures. If you haven't visited Ball Ground lately, you're invited to do so. Fall is the perfect time to ...
After the cold winter months, spring is always a welcome time of longer, warmer days and nature's rebirth. Flowers are blooming, trees are coming back to life, and birds are singing cheerful songs. What a great time to bring the family to Ball Ground. Ball Ground's 2023 events calendar is filled with many fun activities. You can also enjoy great re...
The City of Ball Ground accomplished much last year, and we look forward to new beginnings and continued progress in 2023.The work of past elected officials is what has drawn so many to now call Ball Ground "home." On many of the city's large green pastures sit beautiful new homes, which is bittersweet for some lifelong residents. But those who are...
"You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout; I'm telling you why"— Santa Claus is coming to Ball Ground! Though still a few weeks away, the City of Ball Ground is getting ready for the 8th Annual March of the Toys Parade for Toys for Tots to be held at 7:00pm on December 2, in downtown Ball Ground. This parade is one of the...
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Ball Ground Historical Society. The past 10 years have been filled with many lifelong residents of Ball Ground and Cherokee County recounting memories of the area. Though some members have since passed away, the stories they shared will live on. The Ball Ground Historical Society is the brainchi...
What do you know about the place where you live? Do you know how or when it came into existence? The older people get, the more they seem to appreciate history, especially the history of the city they call home. This month, I celebrate my 37th anniversary serving as Ball Ground's city clerk. In those 37 years, I have learned a lot about this great ...
Springtime is an especially happy time for those who love to play in the dirt, and if there is anyone who loves to play in the dirt, it's the members of the Ball Ground Garden Club (Anetsa-Ga-Da). Members have been busy getting ready for the 6th Annual Plant Sale and Festival on May 21, which will be held at the Ball Ground Botanical Garden, 215 Va...
Ball Ground is off to a great start this year. In January, we welcomed two new council members, Dennis Nelson and Kristine Rogers, and Mayor A. R. (Rick) Roberts, III, is back for another term. Vicki Benefield was sworn in as council member last November to fill the unexpired term of Frank Homiller. Even though Benefield, Rogers, and Nelson h...
"Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind" is a line from the famous song, "Auld Lang Syne," written by Robert Burns in 1788. When translated into standard English, "Auld Lang Syne" has several different meanings: "old long since," "days gone by," or "old times." As we look back on the not-so-distant "old times" of Ball Ground,...
Have you ever been asked where you would like to be in five years? It's something to think about. After setting your goal, then you set out on the journey. As many of our elected officials did before them, Ball Ground Mayor A.R. (Rick) Roberts and the City Council continue to plan. Every five years, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs requi...
People often say, "This won't matter a hundred years from now." While it's true that a lot of things won't matter, many things will. Keeping a record of important events is a must. Otherwise, younger generations will not know how things came to be. During my 36 years of being the Ball Ground city clerk, I've referred back to minutes of previo...
The Ball Ground "Anetsa-/ga-Da" Garden Club is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. Anetsa-/ga-Da is "Ball Ground" in the Cherokee language.
City of Ball Ground Mayor Rick Roberts and City Council held their first meeting of 2021 on January 14. Though the meeting was in a different format, it was business as usual. This year marks the 25th consecutive year that Mayor Roberts has called a Council meeting to order. He is Ball Ground's longest serving mayor on record.
Although 2020 brought many unexpected changes, let us not dwell on the past, but look forward to the future. Ball Ground businesses are alive and well. Come spend the day and see for yourself. Enjoy dining and shopping that you won't find in just any small town.
As we near the end of 2020, we can finish the year on a positive note or look back with regret and disappointment. Although we've all faced many trials, it's best to take a moment to reflect on what we are thankful for rather than focus on the negative.
The word “treasure” can be used to describe something valuable, very special, or important, including a person who is greatly loved or cherished. Every city/town seems to have its treasured individuals, and anyone who wants to know more about his/her area’s history should make it a point to get to know them. Recently, Ball Ground lost three of its treasures, Dorothy (Dot) Byrd, Margaret Stancil, and Eddie Brackett.
Until the past couple of years, you probably met Dot Byrd whenever you visited Ball Ground. For 49 years, Byrd owned and operated Dot’s Restaurant in downtown Ball Ground. She could always be found either inside cooking or standing outside, sharing her stories of days gone by. She loved Ball Ground and Ball Ground loved her.
If you have ever been to Ball Ground, you have likely visited beautiful Calvin Farmer Park. While there, you may have wondered — who is Calvin Farmer?
Calvin Farmer was born in 1877 to William J. and Polly Farmer. Calvin graduated from the Chicago Engineering Works on March 30, 1926. He married Arizona Lee Ingram, and they had seven children: two sets of twins and one set of triplets. Calvin owned and operated a hotel in downtown Ball Ground until 1965, at which time it was demolished. The land was vacant until, years later, the City purchased the property to be used as a park.
Do you know how Ball Ground got its name? Or how Cherokee County got its name? These questions and many more can be answered by attending a Ball Ground Historical Society meeting. While at the meeting, consider joining, so you can learn more about the history of where you live, work, and play.
The Ball Ground Historical Society is the brainchild of a reunion committee for Ball Ground Elementary School. The committee was originally formed to organize a reunion of people who attended or worked at Ball Ground ES. The reunion was a huge success! Everyone enjoyed visiting with old friends and reminiscing. After hearing so many stories and seeing historical pictures at the reunion, the committee thought it would be a great time to preserve the history of Ball Ground.
The future of Ball Ground looks as bright as ever! In 2020, projects will be completed, and new projects will begin.
Phase one of the Roberts Lake Project is anticipated to be completed by midyear. To date, three footbridges have been installed, approximately 1 mile of trail has been cleared, and markers have been placed. City staff is working to secure the old power generating building to make it safe for visitors. Stay tuned for exciting updates.
Looking back, 2019 has been a great year for Ball Ground. Rick Roberts, who has served as Ball Ground’s mayor for more than 28 years, has seen our community blossom into a thriving downtown. And, according to Mayor Roberts, two of the projects completed this year will have a lasting impact on the city.The Roberts Lake Project, a pristine property once home to a dam on Long Swamp Creek, was Ball Ground’s first source of power in the 1920s. Though it served the people well as a power source, this property will now serve the community as a place of recreation for many years to come. An initial pathway has been cleared, and footbridges are being constructed and put into place, making the area more easily accessible to hikers. The goal is to open the park to the public in July 2020.
to your business!