The small Georgian town of Chatsworth is the government seat of Murray County, and a fairly innocuous place. With less than 4,000 residents, Chatsworth is more a typical Southern working town than a tourist destination. Visitors may find themselves passing through this hamlet, which is nestled near the mountains, but it’s unlikely it will be their main objective.
There’s an interesting story about the origins of Chatsworth. It is said that a sign fell off a passing freight train, someone nailed it to a post, and a town was born. Railroads have often been the reason for the establishment of a town, and Chatsworth is no exception.
The town itself is laid out in a classic grid formation, with the train depot near the center of the action. This makes it simple to navigate around Chatsworth, but doesn’t increase the number of attractions. There are a handful of decent restaurants, shops and bars scattered along the Main Street and a few of its branches, but the selection is rather thin. Bed and breakfasts, inns and a couple of motels provide lodging to those looking for a quiet and authentic Southern home town experience.
Highlights
Fort Mountain Park: the major natural attraction in Chatsworth is this 2,000 acre state park which has a nice trail system that allows hikers to thoroughly explore the mountains. At the peak lies an intriguing 855-foot long ancient wall, the origins of which are still unknown.
Chief Van House: this classic Federal-style brick mansion was once the home of James Vann, a Cherokee chief. The interior is decorated with lots of antiques, especially a collection of lovely Cherokee hand carvings which can be enjoyed by visitors who would like to learn more about the traditions of the Cherokee Indians.