Natural resources including Toccoa Falls, Currahee Mountain, Lake Hartwell, and Lake Toccoa; and historic sites such as Camp Toccoa - a U.S. Army paratrooper training camp during World War II.
Population: 8,421
What is the most surprising fact about Toccoa?
Camp Toccoa at Currahee - a historic training camp for the first paratroopers in WWII - is located here. The HBO mini-series "Band of Brothers" was based on soldiers that trained right here in Toccoa, GA.
Do you have any famous current or former residents?
Toccoa is the birthplace of:
Paul Edward Anderson, Olympic Gold Medalist in weightlifting & philanthropist
Ida Cox, blues singer and vaudeville performer
Dale Davis, former Clemson and NBA player
Thomas W.Dortch Jr., former president of 100 Black Men of America
DeForrest Kelley, Star Trek star
Evan Oglesby, former NFL player
Ramblin' "Doc" Tommy Scott, country and rockabilly musician and composer
Ken Swilling, All-American (Georgia Tech) football player
Pat Swilling, former Georgia Tech and NFL player
What are the biggest annual events in Toccoa?
Taste of Toccoa - April 28, 2016
Ida Cox Music Series, every Saturday in June & July
Summer Movies at The Schaefer Center, every Thursday in June & July
Currahee Military Reunion Weekend first weekend of October
Toccoa Harvest Festival, last weekend of October
Christmas Fest & Lighting of the Tree, first weekend of December
What do you want visitors to discover about your community?
We would like visitors to know how much there is to see and do in Toccoa!
- Camp Toccoa at Currahee Mountain
- Currahee Club Golf Community
- Currahee Military Museum
- Currahee Vineyard & Winery
- Downtown Toccoa’s shopping and restaurants
- Doyle Street Pool
- Georgia Baptist Conference Center
- The Links at Lake Toccoa Golf Course
- Paul Anderson Park
- Roselane Recreation Complex
- Historic Stephens County Courthouse
- Toccoa Falls
- Toccoa Raceway
- Travelers Rest Historic Site
- Tugaloo Bend Heritage Site
What initiatives is your city currently working on?
Toccoa is currently completing outside renovations to The Schaefer Center/Ritz Theater, a 1930’s movie theater. The marquee will be replaced this year and plans to continue renovations to the interior, including the balcony, are underway.
Where would you take someone on a first date in Toccoa?
The Cornerstone Restaurant & X-Factor Grill, Historic Downtown Toccoa, and performance at The Schaefer Center.
Is there an element of your community that would earn a nomination to Ripley's Believe it or Not?
The Guinness Book of Records (1985 edition) reported a back lift by Paul Anderson (done June 12,1957, in Toccoa, Georgia) of 6,270 pounds at a bodyweight of 364, calling it the “greatest weight ever raised by a human being.” Guinness also listed Paul’s best powerlifts as 627 bench press, 1200 squat, and 820 deadlift.
Which superhero or superpower would most benefit your downtown development efforts?
Having superhuman speed would most help our downtown development efforts. Superhuman speed would allow us to quickly accomplish our goals as well as accomplish more in a shorter time.
Sound like a cool place?
