The history of the Habersham County Chamber of Commerce stretches back more than a century, beginning in 1907 with the founding of the Cornelia Chamber of Commerce. What started as a local effort to promote business, industry, and civic growth in the City of Cornelia would eventually expand to become the unified, countywide organization we know today.
A Legacy That Began in 1907
The Cornelia Chamber of Commerce was established at a time when the region was rapidly developing—railroads were strengthening the local economy, new industries were emerging, and Cornelia was positioning itself as a commercial hub for northeast Georgia. For decades, the Chamber played a central role in promoting business, coordinating civic improvements, and supporting community events within the city.
The Leadership of Helen Stewart
From 1949 through 1960, the Cornelia Chamber of Commerce benefited from the dedicated leadership of Helen Stewart, who served as the Chamber’s executive secretary. Stewart was a tireless ambassador for the city, using every platform available to promote Cornelia’s growth and charm. She penned a weekly column titled “Chamber Chatter,” where she highlighted local businesses, celebrated civic progress, and encouraged community pride. Stewart also reached far beyond Habersham County—writing letters to chambers of commerce across the country touting Cornelia’s strengths and potential. Her efforts didn’t stop at the city limits; she traveled throughout Georgia to spread the word about Cornelia, helping to raise its profile statewide. Her enthusiasm, professionalism, and unwavering belief in Cornelia’s promise laid a foundation of advocacy that would guide the Chamber as it prepared to broaden its mission in later decades.
The Final Cornelia Chamber Board
On November 20, 1969, the Cornelia Chamber of Commerce elected what would become its final board of directors before transitioning into a countywide organization. The directors elected that day were:
- Leroy Brock
- Herbert Kimzey
- Alton Wingate
- Dale Blair
- John C. Foster
- H. Milton Stewart, Jr.
- Rex Grogan
- H. Milton Stewart, Sr.
- Hubert Ritchie
These leaders would guide the Chamber through one of the most significant changes in its history—its transformation from a city-centered organization to one representing the entire county.
A Historic Vote for Change
On March 3, 1970, the board of directors took action that would reshape the Chamber’s future. Recognizing that business interests and economic development in Habersham County were expanding far beyond the borders of Cornelia, the board unanimously voted to recommend a name change to better reflect its growing mission.
Their resolution stated:
“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that by unanimous action at its March 3, 1970 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Cornelia Chamber of Commerce does recommend that the membership of the Cornelia Chamber of Commerce vote to change its name to Habersham County Chamber of Commerce, thereby increasing its appeal to county-wide memberships and support…”
The resolution further called for the Chamber’s charter, by-laws, office location, emblems, and program of work to be revised as membership expanded to include the broader Habersham community.
The document was signed by:
- H. M. Stewart, Jr., President
- Douglas McDonald, Secretary
The Birth of the Habersham County Chamber of Commerce
Following the board’s recommendation, the membership approved the change, officially marking the Cornelia Chamber’s transition into the Habersham County Chamber of Commerce. The first president of the newly formed countywide organization was H. M. Stewart, Jr., who had also presided over the organization during its final year under the Cornelia Chamber name.
With this shift, the Chamber expanded its reach, broadened its mission, and began developing programs to support businesses, industries, and communities across all of Habersham County.
A Foundation for Future Growth
Today, the Habersham County Chamber of Commerce continues to build on more than a century of history—work rooted in the early efforts of Cornelia’s civic leaders. What began in 1907 now stands as a vital institution supporting economic development, local business, and community progress across the entire county.
Its origins in Cornelia remain a proud part of the story, reminding us that strong communities grow when people come together with vision, cooperation, and a shared commitment to the future.
Digitize Habersham
The organization Habersham History has digitized over 120,000 newspapers published in Habersham County, covering the period from 1857 – 1957, and the best part, it’s completely free. If you’re interested in researching family history or events from Habersham County’s history, give Digitize Habersham a try: archives.habershamhistory.org.
With the exception of the 1907 article, all of the newspaper articles referenced in this story came from Digitize Habersham. For example, here’s a link to Helen Stewart’s photo: https://archives.habershamhistory.org/viewpageAWS.php?f=bmV3c3BhcGVycy8xLzMyOTgvMTk1MDExMDkwMTE5LnBkZg==
