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CLARKESVILLE, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - As anyone who’s ever owned a business knows, it’s not easy to stay afloat. But one North Georgia pottery shop has lured visitors for a full 50 years – and is celebrating the major milestone with a party this weekend.
Clarkesville’s Mark of the Potter is a true icon of the North Georgia mountains, a pottery shop and studio located in a 1930s grist mill along the beautiful Soqui River. The Good Day feature team recently took a little road trip up to Clarkesville to learn more about the history of the famed roadside attraction from current owner Chadwick Peck.
“The mill was built by a father and son team,” Peck explains. “They went ahead and purchased the property, built the mill, and it was in activity from the mid-30s to the mid-60s.”
But after a storm destroyed the mill’s turbines, it was bought by a retired couple named John and Glen LaRowe. They happened to love pottery and ended up filling the place with handmade creations and opening it to the public in 1969. In the half-century since, people from all over the world have made the scenic drive to Mark of the Potter, both to buy the work of local masters and also to try their hand at making it. Others stop by just to enjoy the gorgeous section of the river – and we highly recommend buying some fish food to see the giant river residents come to the surface to eat!
Mark of the Potter will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary on Saturday, May 4, with an open party from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., which will include tours, pottery demos, live music, and giveaways. It’s located at 9982 Georgia 197 in Clarkesville, Georgia.