The historic Diving Bell, which was once situated in the Chestatee River, is currently on its way to Gainesville to get a touch up before it goes on display at Hancock Park in Dahlonega.

What a lot of North Georgia Mountain residents don’t know is that the diving bell was actually sitting in the portion of the Chestatee River that runs right though Achasta.  Back in the 1870s, miners would use the diving bell as a means to mine the deeper waters of the river.  The bell provided divers with a room filled with air that could be placed on the bottom of the river where they could sift through silt in search of gold. 

The steamboat ship that actually carried the bell was recently discovered near the 18th hole of the Achasta Golf Course confirming the Diving Bell’s use. 

The bell’s restoration will include a clean up and paint job in hopes of restoring it to its original form.  Those involved in the project also hope to find out who actually produced the Diving Bell, a mystery that has been surrounding it since its discovery.

Everyone here at Achasta is excited to see the Diving Bell restored.  It is an important historical artifact for this area considering its history with gold mining and we cant wait to see it in its rightful place in Hancock Park.