Nicknamed “The First Mountain City,” Jasper is located 50 miles north of Atlanta, in Pickens County Georgia.  Several local attractions draw the interest of thousands of sightseers annually; the  largest annual event is The Marble Festival held each October and sponsored by the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce.   Artists, craftsmen, A Fine Arts show, a children’s park and tours of historical marble venues make this the most exciting weekend in North Georgia.  There are many other historical sites including the Old Pickens County Jail in downtown Jasper; the Tate House which was built by local marble baron Sam Tate in the 1920s, and sits adjacent to the current Tate Elementary; and the Woodbridge Inn which stands on an old Cherokee place of worship;  the historic Woodbridge Inn is famous for its menu options and its lodging.  Other great places to eat in downtown Jasper include the Carriage House and 61 Main, which was recently named the Small Business of the Year in Pickens County and one of the top 10 restaurants in Georgia by Georgia Trend Magazine.  Many other fine shops and services are located along Main Street and nearby.  Jasper is home to the Appalachian Campus of Chattahoochee Technical College and Piedmont Mountainside Hospital, both of which have dramatically improved the quality of life in a great mountain community.