Rabun County is now the Wooden Boat Capital of Georgia!

L to R: Pat Hickey, Charlie Arp, Lake Burton resident Andrew Harris, State Representative Victor Anderson and Ben McCracken. Photo by: “K.A. Hamdy-Swink & Feather-Tales”

GA State Resolution

The resolution reads, “Whereas, the three principal lakes in Rabun County, Lake Burton, Seed Lake and Lake Rabun, have long and rich histories of wooden boat ownership that date back to the 1930s; and whereas, there are over 200 vintage wooden boats being operated on the Rabun County lakes on any given summer; and whereas, many of these vintage wooden boats are over 75 years old and have been in Georgia families for generations; and whereas, Lake Rabun and Lake Burton have annual vintage wooden boat parades and shows each year that draw spectators from all over North Georgia and beyond; and whereas, these events provide enjoyment for both the young and the old and generate tourism activity that contributes to the economic well-being of Rabun County as well as the entire Northeast Georgia area. Now, therefore, be it resolved … that the members of this body recognize Rabun County as ‘The Wooden Boat Capital of Georgia.’”

Background

9.1.22 Wooden Boat Resolution Comments

When we first hear the distant rumble of the engine and finally spy a wooden boat cruising down the lake it evokes fond memories and cannot help but bring a smile. Whether it is the familiar Halls #1 or Rabun Boathouse 7, or another of the classic wooden boats that call Lake Rabun home – when I hear that sound and see a classic wooden boat I know I am at the lake!

Because of the large number of vintage wooden boats that call our Mountain Lakes home, Rabun County was recently decreed “The Wooden Boat Capital of Georgia” in a resolution adopted by the Georgia General Assembly. Both the Georgia House of Representatives and Georgia Senate passed resolutions honoring this designation.

We are fortunate today to have with us two esteemed guests to help honor the wooden boat traditions of our North Georgia lakes, and in particular the rich history of wooden boats on Lake Rabun and Lake Burton.

Our first guest is Andrew Harris. His committed leadership was the driving force behind the resolutions. Andrew is a former Lake Rabun resident, and he presently resides at Lake Burton. He experienced early the rich tradition of the wooden boats on our lakes, and not only spearheaded efforts to obtain the resolutions, he also organized the inaugural wooden boat parade in 2020 at Lake Burton in connection with their Centennial celebration. Andrew submitted the resolution because he wanted Georgians to be aware of yet another reason to visit Rabun County, and particularly our beautiful pristine Lakes. He has thus honored our lakes and started a new wooden boat parade tradition!

Our next guest is House District 10 State Representative Victor Anderson, representing Rabun and portions of Habersham County. Victor is local – a life-long resident of the district first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2020. He is a graduate of Habersham Central High School, and despite hailing from the heart of Bulldog country, received his a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering with Honors from Georgia Tech. After working for the Georgia Power Company for 10 years, he left to pursue his family businesses. Currently, Rep. Anderson is the second-generation co-owner of Anderson Carpet One Floor & Home in Alto. Victor has served as a church deacon, and as a member of several volunteer boards of directors and served on the Habersham County Planning Commission. Victor married to his high school sweetheart, Kim who joins him with us today.

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