Braselton Mayor Declares Sept. 24 Towns Reunion Day

Closely linked through a rich Southern brew of history, proximity and education, the town of Braselton and the city of Hoschton are strengthening their ties in a completely new way — through Facebook.

With less than a mile separating one town square from the other, the city of Hoschton first came into being when the sons of a wealthy plantation owner — three pioneering brothers by the name of Hosch — built the first store at the intersection of Ga. Highway 53 and Peachtree Road in 1865. Two years later, a marriage between their sister Susan Frances Hosch and local farmer William Harrison Braselton led to the purchase of 786 acres just north of the Hosch Plantation that would eventually give birth to what we now know as the town of Braselton.

Over the years, both municipalities would experience growth thanks to mercantile, fertile soil and the railroad — ultimately leading to their respective incorporations in the late 1800s to the early 1900s.

With the construction of the original “Home of the Panthers” Jackson County High School at the city limit between Hoschton and Braselton in the late 1950s, students and teachers from the two neighboring towns were brought together as classmates and colleagues. Following graduation, some chose to stay in the small towns where they grew up and some chose to venture out into the world.

Thanks to the recent creation of a Facebook page aptly titled “Growing up in Hoschton/Braselton” by former Hoschton native Cherie Cash Morrison, more than 200 Hoschtonians and Braseltonites — both past and present — have joined the group. Before long, plans were under way for a reunion and the group was invited by the planning committee of the Hoschton Fall Festival to incorporate their gathering into the big event scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24. Both Mayor Bill Orr of Braselton and Mayor Erma Denney of Hoschton have designated the date as Towns Reunion Day by signed proclamation, a copy of which will be given to all attendees of the Growing up in Hoschton/Braselton Reunion.

The group will have a featured float in the parade at 10 a.m. — many participants sporting Jackson County High School Colors or specially designed T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase “The Towns That Built Us”. From 4 to 6 p.m., the group will head over to the community room at the Braselton Police Department and Municipal Courthouse for a very special meet-and-greet.

If you grew up in Braselton or Hoschton and would like to become a member of the Facebook group — simply visit the page and click “Ask to Join Group.” All are welcome to attend the Hoschton Fall Festival — which, in addition to the reunion and “Salute to America” Parade, will also feature live entertainment, food vendors, arts and crafts, a scarecrow contest, a talent competition and the third annual Bark for Life fundraiser benefitting the American Cancer Society.

The evening will end with a bang as fireworks light up the night sky over Towne Center at 9:30 p.m. Additional festivities are planned for Friday evening, Sept. 23, and Sunday afternoon, Sept. 25.

We've done a little "Spotlight Shuffle". City Spotlights on Braselton have moved from Saturdays to Fridays. Different day, same great Spotlight. Check back every Friday for a new City Spotlight on Braselton.