Gilmer County was created in 1832 from part of Cherokee County. Georgia’s 84th county was named for George Rockingham Gilmer, a State Legislator, member of Congress, and Georgia Governor from 1829 to 1831 and from 1837 to 1839.
Ellijay was the site of an Indian village and bears an Indian name meaning "earth green there." Cherokee Indians lived in this area until their removal in 1838 to Oklahoma via the "Trail of Tears."
Nearly half the territory of Gilmer County is within the Chattahoochee National Forest and is protected from development by the Federal Government.
Carters Lake provides a major recreational area in the county. Carters Lake is formed from the Coosawatee River, which is formed from the Cartecay and Ellijay Rivers. The rivers were formerly used for timber operations in the area.
Gilmer County boast to be the "Apple Capital of Georgia". Over 600,000 bushels of apples in 25 varieties are produced annually and sold at numerous roadside stands throughout the county.
Some of the local festivals include the Georgia Apple Festival, the Cherry Log Festival, the Apple Classic Auto Show, and the Gilmer County Fair.
