Blairsville, Georgia, United States
the natural beauty of the mountain landscape - perfect for your new home
Discover the perfect place to celebrate the seasons...
...and embrace a version of living that matches your vision.
Fall in North Georgia Mountains
Fall in North Georgia Mountains
Fall in North Georgia Mountains
Mountain vistas will be preserved, ensuring privacy for residents.
Relaxing Retreat
Fall in North Georgia Mountains
Fall in North Georgia Mountains
Enjoy your favorite novel, a cup of hot cocoa, apple cider or coffee curled up by the fireplace in your new home.
Covered Porches
Fall in North Georgia Mountains
Covered Porches
The wide, covered rocking chair porches, screened porches and open decks expand the experience of living into the outdoors creating spaces to celebrate the seasons.
Meet the Visionary
Karen Ivester, creator of the Mill Springs Vision
Karen Ivester, creator of the Mill Springs Vision
Karen is the developer of Mill Springs. Born and raised on the property, Karen is committed to preserving the natural beauty of the mountain landscape and to the creation of a community where families co-exist with nature and honors this country heritage. Karen obtained PMP (Project Management Professional) certification and has managed
Karen is the developer of Mill Springs. Born and raised on the property, Karen is committed to preserving the natural beauty of the mountain landscape and to the creation of a community where families co-exist with nature and honors this country heritage. Karen obtained PMP (Project Management Professional) certification and has managed large, global projects and clinical trials in immunology and cancer research. She holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in nursing and psychology. She has worked in the biopharmaceutical industry for more than 20 years. Karen draws energy, inspiration and peace from the development of Mill Springs. By partnering with seasoned experts in engineering, construction and architecture, she hopes to share her home place and the North Georgia mountains with individuals who wish to build their dream homes.
Karen Ivester, creator of the Mill Springs Vision
Karen Ivester, creator of the Mill Springs Vision
Karen Ivester, creator of the Mill Springs Vision
The Mill Springs Story
Three Generations of History
An "American Honey" Childhood (*)
An "American Honey" Childhood (*)
In the 1930’s, Karen’s grandfather , millwright James Gordon Long, built a house, store and mill on land that is now Mill Springs. The settlement became a resource for the rural community – people walked miles to buy staples and have their corn ground into meal. A Coca-Cola from the ice box and some neighborly conversation fortified those hardy folks for the journey home.
An "American Honey" Childhood (*)
An "American Honey" Childhood (*)
An "American Honey" Childhood (*)
As a young girl, growing up in rural North Georgia, Karen assisted her grandparents in the chores of farm life; milking cows, feeding animals, planting crops, harvesting and canning. She chopped wood and carried water from the spring nearby (there was no electricity or running water). Karen’s grandmother instilled in her a love to learn by reading to her and ensuring she attended school every day. During school terms and in the long Summer evenings, she would study and read until dusk. The area retained its peaceful pace for generations – when electricity became commonplace, her family still marked days by the sun and nights by kerosene lamplight. As Karen began her career, she lived and worked in cities (both domestic and internationally) and she realized that sharing her grandparents’ simple way of life was a priceless treasure. Often, she longed to just go back in time to days when she was helping her grandfather gather honey from the bees or walking miles through wooded trails to see relatives, frequently taking her cane fishing pole and fishing the streams along the way. Each time she returned to the homestead, she felt relaxed, energized and at peace. Like the lyrics to the song, “American Honey”, Karen heard a whisper pulling her back and felt a deep longing to share this land with others who needed to return to a peaceful place—either for a weekend or to make their home in Mill Springs.
* "American Honey" is a song written by Cary Barlowe, Hillary Lindsey and Shane Stevens, and recorded by American country music group Lady A.
We Keep Your Dream Home Journey Simple
Mill Springs: Your Partner for the ‘Dream Home Journey’
Mill Springs: Your Partner for the ‘Dream Home Journey’
Mill Springs: Your Partner for the ‘Dream Home Journey’
At Mill Springs, we understand building a new home is exciting; however, it can also be a bit intimidating and anxiety producing. We take each step with you and we help to KEEP IT SIMPLE! So, relax and resolve to take this ‘Dream Home Journey’ with Mill Springs as your partner.
Mill Springs’ Preferred Home Builders
Mill Springs: Your Partner for the ‘Dream Home Journey’
Mill Springs: Your Partner for the ‘Dream Home Journey’
At Mill Springs, we partner with a few select home builders. To be a Mill Springs Preferred Home Building partner, a home builder must have the following experience and attributes:
- Decades of building experience
- Knowledge regarding the management of the construction process
- Support in Architectural & Engineering Design and Modificat
At Mill Springs, we partner with a few select home builders. To be a Mill Springs Preferred Home Building partner, a home builder must have the following experience and attributes:
- Decades of building experience
- Knowledge regarding the management of the construction process
- Support in Architectural & Engineering Design and Modification
- Understands the importance of completing your home on time and on budget
- Experienced project managers
- Client-centric home sales and design consultants
Mill Springs Home Sites
Mill Springs: Your Partner for the ‘Dream Home Journey’
Mill Springs Home Sites
Mill Springs has several available home sites and floor plans suitable for building your dream home; whether you desire 1,000 sq.ft. or 3,000+ sq. ft., a basement, two-story or ranch-style home. We provide services to assist you with:
- Locating the perfect lot that is most appropriate for the design/build of your dream home
- Assistance
Mill Springs has several available home sites and floor plans suitable for building your dream home; whether you desire 1,000 sq.ft. or 3,000+ sq. ft., a basement, two-story or ranch-style home. We provide services to assist you with:
- Locating the perfect lot that is most appropriate for the design/build of your dream home
- Assistance with exteriors that suit your style and meet the covenant requirements
- Provide you with a selection of interior finishes
- Design a custom landscape plan suitable for the region (along with our landscaping partners)
- Select appliance and lighting packages that meet your lifestyle and energy efficiency needs
- Select plumbing fixtures and hardware in finishes you prefer
The Mill Springs Difference
A Quality Home You Will Be Proud to Own
Nervous about your home site selection or building adventure? Don’t be. Whether this is the first home you've built or the last you're planning to build, Mill Springs will ensure you have the best experience possible. It’s our passion and we love to spend time with our customers.
Client-Centric Communications
Client-Centric Communications
We partner with you and guide you – we don’t overwhelm you with the details; however, you can rest assured, we are detail-oriented. At the beginning of our partnership with you, we provide you with the steps of the building process so you understand what is occurring in each phase. This allows you to predict what will happen next as we take this journey together. We realize you may not be able to see the building site and the progress each day, in person, so we ensure our project managers take photos frequently, along with a description of the phases of the build, so you can view the progress at your leisure. From the kick-off of the groundbreaking to the final walk-through, you will know your home is in the hands of experts. You will receive a questionnaire that will help us understand your lifestyle needs, the architectural style of home you desire and your expectations around energy efficiency, as well as, your taste for the finishing touches. With the assistance of a Design Associate, we will ensure there is an organized, simple process where you can select the features and finishes for your home. Creating your vision is easier than you expect!
Our Partners
Mill Springs works with builders and partners who have DECADES of experience.
Top Attractions in North Georgia Mountains
Hiking
Waterfalls in North Georgia
Waterfalls in North Georgia
Spend the day, or a couple of hours hiking. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail begins in Springer Mountain, GA. From Georgia, the trail meanders 2,175 miles to Maine. Walkers, day hikers, or backpackers can catch portions of the trail in Blairsville (there is a trailhead near Mill Springs at Blood Mountain). Hiking is especially spectacular in the Spring, when wildflowers bloom, and in Fall, when the leaves paint the mountains in hues photographers only dream of capturing.
Waterfalls in North Georgia
Waterfalls in North Georgia
Waterfalls in North Georgia
The tallest waterfall in the Southeastern United States, cascading 729 feet over massive boulders, is located in Amicolola Falls State Park, near Dawsonville, GA, and in the Fall, it is surrounded by a palette of rich golden, red, orange and russet colors. This magnificent waterfall can be viewed from a foot trail. Closer to Mill Springs, you can find Helton Creek Falls (near Blood Mountain), which is only one of many waterfalls in the North Georgia mountains. Area attractions like these will likely send guests to visit you in your new home!
Fishing
Waterfalls in North Georgia
Vineyards and Wineries
The North Georgia mountains has an abundance of lakes, rivers and streams. Vogel State Park and Lake Nottely (with 106 miles of shoreline) are located near Mill Springs and offer some of the best fishing in Georgia. Toccoa River above Lake Blue Ridge is a magnificent fishery in its beauty, diversity, and quality of fishduring certain times of the year. In this year-round fishery, you can find trout in the miles of river running through the Chattahoochee National Forest, including a 1.2 mile section with special Delayed Harvest (DH) regulations (See Georgia Fishing Regs). From November 1-May 14, the river is stocked with lots of trout, including some 15-20 inch fish. Much of the Toccoa River is on public lands which are accessible by paved and forest service roads. Sections of the river, susceptible to summer heat, hold largemouth Bass, shoal bass, smallmouth bass and other warm water species instead of trout.
Vineyards and Wineries
Vineyards and Wineries
Vineyards and Wineries
Residents have embraced the North Georgia mountains’ potential for new ventures. Award-winning wineries are springing up across the region. Obviously, fine dining will accompany!
Photo: Wolf Mountain Vineyard
- Ellijay: Cartecay Vineyards, Chateau Meichtry, Ellijay River Vineyards, Engelheim Vineyards, Fainting Goat Vineyards, Sharp Mountain Vineyards
- Blairsville: Odom Springs Vineyard, Paradise Hills Winery Resort & Spa, Serenberry Vineyard, Crane Creek Vineyards, Eaglefork Vineyards
- Clayton: 12 Spies Vineyard, Hightower Creek Vineyard, Stonewall Creek Vineyards, Tiger Mountain Vineyards, Eaglefork Vineyards
- Dahlonega: Cavender Creek Vineyard and Winery, Frogtown Cellars, Kaya Vineyard, Montaluce Winery, Three Sisters, Wolf Mountain Vineyard
- Cleveland / Helen: CeNita Vineyards, Habersham Winery, Serenity Cellars, The Cottage Vineyard and Winery, Yonah Mountain Vineyard
- Nearby in Murphy, NC: Calaboose Cellars, Cherokee Cellars, Nottely River Valley Vineyards, Valley River Vineyards, Eaglefork Vineyards
Apples and Festivals
Vineyards and Wineries
Apples and Festivals
North Georgia is home to some of the best apple orchards and Festivals.
https://365atlantatraveler.com/apple-picking-in-ga/
Farmer's Market
Vineyards and Wineries
Apples and Festivals
Union County Farmers Market https://www.facebook.com/Union-County-Farmers-Market-134813796595539/