tiffers0630
A German Face Lift
Photo info:
Main Street Helen, GA-2007. Personal collection. Photographer Tiffany Horn.
The above photo is a picture of current day Helen, GA. As shown in one of my previous photos, Helen has gone under a complete makeover in its physical appearance. Helen was close to being nonexistent in the many years following World War II. It was suffering from lack of business and population was decreasing. There was a need for an answer to the solution, and it would soon be given to the town by an artist inspired by time spent in a foreign country.
It was 1967 and Helen was on the verge of being considered a business ghost town. There were only nine concrete buildings standing, and all were empty. No income was being brought to the town. Three local citizens of Helen, Jim Wilkins, Pete Hodkinson, and Bob Fowler, were on a mission to better the town and turn around the economy. They were given help by an artist, who was a frequent visitor to the area and a native of Habersham County, with his European ideas.
John Kollock had spent a year touring in Bavaria while he was active in the U.S. Army. During that year he fell in love over the aesthetics of the Bavarian village. After easy persuasion by the Helen residents, Kollock toured and overviewed the entire town for possible suggestions of changes that could be made. The idea was to accent the beautiful rolling hills and forest surrounding the concrete center of Helen. It was shortly after his observations of the cities abandoned streets nestled in the middle of natural beauty that Kollock began to think of his year in Bavaria. He knew that bringing a Bavarian feel to the town would give a new twist to the area, and bring lots of business opportunities. After consulting with the Helen officials, Kollock began working on sketches of the new look for Helen. He had finished with his perspective drawings on January 3, 1969. Less than two weeks later, on January 13, 1969, the first nail was driven symbolizing the start of great changes to come.
From the late 70s to the late 80s, constant increase in real estate, retail sales, and developing businesses was occurring. The benefits of Kollock’s ideas were showing up through out the town. When asked about his initial idea, Kollock replied, “Helen was a perfect place for this kind of Alpine Architecture.” Now Helen is going strong and striving off of its main industry focus, tourism. It offers many services such as German-based and American restaurants, local bars and pubs, and many shops that encompass Bavarian goods of different sorts. Helen is still, however, to keep that cozy Georgia small town feel with its local country stores and granaries. After a long century of dealing with hardships in its economic stability, Helen has finally found its niche that has brought it great success.
Anglen, Polly H. “Today’s Playground; Tomorrow’s Gatlinburg?” _North Georgia Journal_ (Winter 1989-90): 20-25.
Speath, Susan. “Hoedown, Helen Style.” _The Daily Times_. 29 October 1970. Sec. 6C.
For more information on Bavaria, visit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bavaria
A German Face Lift
Photo info:
Main Street Helen, GA-2007. Personal collection. Photographer Tiffany Horn.
The above photo is a picture of current day Helen, GA. As shown in one of my previous photos, Helen has gone under a complete makeover in its physical appearance. Helen was close to being nonexistent in the many years following World War II. It was suffering from lack of business and population was decreasing. There was a need for an answer to the solution, and it would soon be given to the town by an artist inspired by time spent in a foreign country.
It was 1967 and Helen was on the verge of being considered a business ghost town. There were only nine concrete buildings standing, and all were empty. No income was being brought to the town. Three local citizens of Helen, Jim Wilkins, Pete Hodkinson, and Bob Fowler, were on a mission to better the town and turn around the economy. They were given help by an artist, who was a frequent visitor to the area and a native of Habersham County, with his European ideas.
John Kollock had spent a year touring in Bavaria while he was active in the U.S. Army. During that year he fell in love over the aesthetics of the Bavarian village. After easy persuasion by the Helen residents, Kollock toured and overviewed the entire town for possible suggestions of changes that could be made. The idea was to accent the beautiful rolling hills and forest surrounding the concrete center of Helen. It was shortly after his observations of the cities abandoned streets nestled in the middle of natural beauty that Kollock began to think of his year in Bavaria. He knew that bringing a Bavarian feel to the town would give a new twist to the area, and bring lots of business opportunities. After consulting with the Helen officials, Kollock began working on sketches of the new look for Helen. He had finished with his perspective drawings on January 3, 1969. Less than two weeks later, on January 13, 1969, the first nail was driven symbolizing the start of great changes to come.
From the late 70s to the late 80s, constant increase in real estate, retail sales, and developing businesses was occurring. The benefits of Kollock’s ideas were showing up through out the town. When asked about his initial idea, Kollock replied, “Helen was a perfect place for this kind of Alpine Architecture.” Now Helen is going strong and striving off of its main industry focus, tourism. It offers many services such as German-based and American restaurants, local bars and pubs, and many shops that encompass Bavarian goods of different sorts. Helen is still, however, to keep that cozy Georgia small town feel with its local country stores and granaries. After a long century of dealing with hardships in its economic stability, Helen has finally found its niche that has brought it great success.
Anglen, Polly H. “Today’s Playground; Tomorrow’s Gatlinburg?” _North Georgia Journal_ (Winter 1989-90): 20-25.
Speath, Susan. “Hoedown, Helen Style.” _The Daily Times_. 29 October 1970. Sec. 6C.
For more information on Bavaria, visit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bavaria