History of
Sapphire Valley
Welcome to the Sapphire Valley Historical Society
Preserving our history...
Welcome to the Sapphire Valley Historical Society
Preserving our history...
Winter 2026! We’re continuing to build on this site as we uncover new stories, images, and research that help bring the history of this Sapphire Valley to life. New content has recently been added to expand on earlier chapters, provide additional context, and reflect the most up-to-date information available. As with any living historical archive, this website will continue to evolve over time, and we encourage visitors to check back regularly as we share newly discovered materials and ongoing updates that deepen our understanding of the past.
You may want to use the full Site Map at the bottom of this page to quickly peruse the full content of this web site. [ Go to Site Map ]
Thank you for your interest in Sapphire Valley.
This website is dedicated to exploring the rich and layered history of Sapphire Valley, from the early 1800s through modern-day development. The land itself holds evidence of human presence stretching back hundreds—and possibly more than a thousand—years, including compelling ties to Native American cultures often associated with the Creek peoples. Over time, the valley has been shaped by many chapters: from Indigenous life and early settlers to moonshiners hidden deep in the mountains, gem mining that gave the area its name, and the brief but influential gold rush era. Together, these stories form a living record of Sapphire Valley’s past, one that continues to unfold as new research and discoveries come to light.
From the early 1800's until the mid-20th century, the Sapphire Valley area had a gold rush, moonshiners, and more...
Northern Industrialist discovery the area, build railroads and great Inns of the South!
Between 1918 -1954, the resort changes hands.
A retiring Georgia-Pacific executive after spending many years in Highlands, wanted to create a special resort for this friends...(known today as Sapphire Valley Resort and the Country Club of Sapphire Valley)
Army Rangers training for Viet Nam and the building of Ski Sapphire Valley - this was a great period to be in Sapphire Valley!
Large corporations like CertainTeed, Fairfield Communities, and Wyndham discover Sapphire Valley...
Rapid changes, timeshare, and bankruptcy all take a toll on shaping modern day Sapphire Valley!