The early days in Blairsville,
Georgia
1978 - 1985
By Janice Boling
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Photo gallery of the early days
When I arrived in 1978, Blairsville, Georgia in Union County had one red light. The nearest Wal-Mart was in Gainesville -- and we could get away with driving around the square backwards. Thanks to Joe Fox I had an in with the local people and was able to make dozens of friends my very first week in town.
Joe and I meet up with the Everetts and Masons
Hershel, Bryan, Jerry, and Cheryl took a pit stop at the End of the Pavement. Joe and I were having a picnic when I was introduced me to this crew. The End of the Pavement bunch.
The End of the Pavement existed before the road was paved but humans did not start gathering there in mass until the late 70's and early 80's. By the 90's the place was booming -- something about the vibrations attracted humans.
This is the first picture I ever took at the End of the Pavement.
Terry, Jeff, Johnny, Jerry, and Joe (with rope) with Mark and another fellow in the back
This was taken at Mrs. Fox's house off of Blue Ridge Highway. We were going to build a swing with the rope. Look at that land behind those men -- some clear cutting is going on.
Poodle, Jan and Joe in 1978
Poodle was one of Joe's childhood friends. Although he hung out more at the Cove than at the End of the Pavement, I am including him here. He was quite a character and was also one of the first people I met in Union County. Poodle went on to become a hero during the Blizzard of '93 delivering medicine and oxygen by mule to people living in remote areas of Owltown.
Poodle loved to watch women while they applied lipstick. He wanted to lick it off!
He didn't like big butts and was always suggesting that I go on diet. Did I let him lick off my lipstick? Nope, I did not but I watched him lick it off off of Linda's lips and it was very sexy.
Linda and Poodle. She was a tall, slim woman with a beautiful face. Like a movie star. Joe and I went on all kinds of adventures with them, taking road trips to Atlanta, Gainesville, and Helen. Sometimes Linda and I snuck off without the men. We partied at Goose Creek, in Murphy, North Carolina, and in Hiawassee. She had friends all over the place. At the time, Linda was renting a little apartment next to the El Joe Lodge. Anyone remember Ralph that owned that place? Ralph was probably the first openly gay man in Union County.
Linda taught me how to make Pina Coladas from scratch in a blender with rum, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut. And ice. We got ice out of the El Joe cooler. Linda's homemade Pina Coladas were delicious, bringing tropical paradise to Blairsville!
Back then Union County was dry. No local alcohol sales meant taking a trip to Fannin County, White County, or Towns County. There were several of bootleggers but their choices were slim and prices were high. Being forced to go out of town for alcohol prompted people to stock up. Why buy a six pack after using all that gas to get to the beer store? People purchased cases of Blue Ribbon beer, Schlitz Malt Liquor Bulls, and Pony Millers -- not to mention fifths of Crown Royal, tequila, and various wines. Union County was dry but people guzzled down alcohol by the gallons.
There was also moonshine -- illegal corn whiskey sold in quart jars that lit up your innards like gasoline. I never saw a still in action, but I did get drunk on homemade brandy. One time was enough – after waking up in a puddle of puke, I stuck to non-alcoholic beverages like Coke-a-Cola most of the time from then on -- so I was usually sober.
Johnny, Joe, and Terry
These Malt Liquor bulls worked quicker than other beers. They packed a punch.
Jan and Joe Grady at Hambone's trailer
We were just two hillbillies snacking on Rice Krispies. Yes, we had packaged cereal in the 1970s. It was not THAT long ago.
Playing poker at Hambone's old trailer
Hambone's was a gathering place in the late 1970s and we had some unforgettable times there. That is Hambone on the far right -- look how skinny he was back then! Sometimes we did not have money for hamburgers -- or much of anything else. Hambone would gather up all of our change, make a run to town, then come back with a grocery sack or two. He would fix us grilled cheese or ham sandwiches. There was only one problem, he couldn't make them fast enough.
Lucky man
Girls piled up on Van while Mitchell bombed the picture Three of us are smoking cigarettes -- we were young and would live forever!
Hambone with a beer
This was taken around 1980 -- I think that was Raymond to the left.
Hambone liked overalls because they were rugged, comfortable, and cool. So did I.
Joe and Hambone on a roof
Joe and Hambone did roofing when nothing else was available. This was hard, hot work but paid the bills.
Billy, Joe, and a dog
This scene is on Pleasant Grove Church Road off of Blue Ridge Highway. Joe and I rented a house next to Billy, Deb, and Amy. Gwen and Gomer lived on down the road a piece. Have you heard of mile long yard sales? Well, we had mile long parties, going from house to house until late in the night.
Buck, Mark, and Danna in bright sunlight
Buck was an original. I never met anyone like him before or since. He loved being around his friends and family but Danna was the love of his life. She stood right beside him through thick and then.
Buck knew how to party like no one else. He was so energetic, his friends could never keep up. He settled down a little when his children came along -- two girls and a boy. Still he liked to get out and see people. He was always into something.
Mark was married to Danna's sister Denise. Gary was married to Sara, also one of Danna's sisters. All three of those Hiawassee women married Union County men. I can't say that I blame them.
Raymond, Joe, Hambone, and Donald
I think this party was in Wolf Creek. Look at Raymond's beard!
Cat and Wesley
Cat's son Wesley was a cutie. He got his mom's good looks.
Cat always wore western shirts, jeans, and boots. She was always herself -- down-to-earth and real.
Keith was with a pretty blonde
Anyone know who she was? She looked like Susan Dey from the Partridge Family.
Party in Wolf Creek
Hambone, Blazer, and Tony Rich enjoyed the evening.
Blazer was the life of the party.
He didn't come around the End of the Pavement much, but when he did, we knew it. This picture was taken way back before any of us had kids.
Blazer also went to our famous Toga Parties. See those pictures at the Toga Party page.
Drinking beer in Blairsville
Let's go up on Beasley and drink a cold one. This party spot was right out of town. The Colwell Detention Center was built there later on. That was my Toyota -- I bought it brand new for $3,200 before coming to Union County. Joe wrecked it not long after this photo was taken.
Three mountain men in the woods
Hambone, Smiley, and Joe hang out between two trucks.
Hanging out at the Old Legion Hall in Blairsville, Georgia
Jim, Hambone, Joe, and some other men sat at a cement picnic table. This spot was right out of town on Gainesville Highway across from Shoe Factory Road. We called it the Old Legion Hall but there wasn't any building. They tore it down sometime around 1976,
The Capitol Fuels building was later built there. Now it is a thrift store and large gravel parking lot.
Music cheers the soul
Looks like Hambone is deep in thought sitting there in the sunlight.
Nottely River Campground hosts the Bluegrass Festival
These festivals were put on by Randall Collins. We gathered there to camp, to party, and to listen to some great musicians.
Camping during the Bluegrass Festival
Nottely River Campground was the perfect place for this event. There were public areas and plenty of secluded spots, too.
Randall even sold tickets.
I have my stubs from 1980, 1982, and 1983.
Harold Payne in his house on Coosa
Along with Hambone, Harold was a legend in Union County. They grew up together as neighbors on Coosa, but a feud developed sometime before I arrived.
Harold was a character! I even remember his dog, Biscuit. Biscuit was a full blooded German Shepard -- he was a guard dog that snarled and bared his teeth at me.
Harold liked homemade wine. He preferred it sweet. Sweet blackberry wine -- that was my favorite, too.
Jacob on Harold's Harley
Jacob was a cute boy -- on or off his daddy's motorcycle.
Neil Kendall and his wife
Neil was a handsome guy. I forgot his wife's name.
Ronnie Nelson with a large beer mug
We probably had a keg back in those days. When kegs started tasting green, we switched to cans and bottles -- mostly cans because bottles had to go to the dump.
We sold aluminum cans at the scrap yard and made a little money for our trouble. We had to pay to get rid of bottles and when you had a lot of drinkers it could add up.
Sea Creek Falls
Ruth sat by the creek, soaking up some rays. She always had a tan. Women used to love to lay out -- we slathered on baby oil to help the process along. There was no such thing as sun screen unless you were a life guard. Then you put zinc oxide on your nose.
Angie at Sea Creek Falls
Had she been in some poison oak?
I think Angie was about 12 in this picture.
We all went swimming in the ice water that day at Sea Creek Falls. The water was so cold it took your breath away when you got in. When you got out, it felt like your skin was burning.
Mark and Denise
Mark and Denise were around a lot until they moved off to Hayesville.
Look at Denise's vest. Our mothers used to make a lot of our clothes.
Andy and Bernie were also around back in the old days. I don't think they went to the EOP but they did party with us at various places.