The nation's first gold rush was in Georgia. Gold was found as early as the 1700's by the Spaniards.  The Trail of Tears was because of the white man wanting the gold country.  There is a lot of gold history in North Georgia.  Many of the west's '49ers were from Georgia.  

The Etowah River in N. Georgia has been known to be a gold producer since the 1700's.  It flows south out of  Lumpkin County. Through Dawson, and Cherokee counties and dumps into Lake Altoona.  go here to see some of the gold and more info on this subject http://www.dixiedredger.com/GoldAdventure.htm

They say you can find gold all along it but the land is privately owned or is Army Corp land and access is