CORNELIA, Ga. — When WCON first went on the air on March 27, 1953, it marked the beginning of something Habersham County had never experienced before—a truly local voice, broadcasting directly to the people it served.
That first broadcast, transmitted on 1450 AM, quickly established WCON as the “Voice of Habersham County.” Within days, the station hosted a dedication ceremony and opened its doors to the public, signaling that this wasn’t just a business—it was a community institution.
More than seven decades later, that identity hasn’t changed.
Built From the Ground Up
WCON’s early years laid the foundation for what would become one of the most enduring local media operations in Georgia. The station delivered news, music, church programming, and community updates—often becoming the first place residents turned for information.
A defining moment in the station’s history came in the early 1960s when John C. Foster purchased WCON. His connection to the station began years earlier as a teenager determined to get on the air—a determination that ultimately led to a lifelong career in broadcasting.
Under his leadership, the station grew steadily while maintaining its local focus. That balance—growth without losing identity—would become a hallmark of the operation.
A Family Legacy
Today, WCON operates under the Habersham Broadcast Company, still guided by the Foster family. John Foster’s sons, David and Clayton, now lead the business, continuing a legacy that spans generations.
Their approach has remained consistent: keep the station rooted in the community it serves.
Unlike many small-market stations that were absorbed by large broadcasting corporations in the late 20th century, WCON remained locally owned. That decision preserved something many communities across the country lost—local voices, local programming, and local decision-making.
More Than Just a Signal
WCON has evolved far beyond its original AM beginnings. Today, its flagship signal, WCON 99.3 FM (“My Country”), reaches listeners across multiple states, with a powerful 100,000-watt broadcast that extends far beyond Habersham County. The station also serves as an affiliate for Atlanta Braves baseball, connecting local listeners to the region’s favorite team.
A second station, 107.7 FM (“The Breeze”), focuses more directly on Habersham and neighboring Banks County, offering programming tailored specifically to the local audience.
Despite that growth, the station has never drifted far from its roots.
Listeners still hear familiar features that reflect everyday life in the community—devotionals, birthday and anniversary announcements, local news segments, and even obituaries read on the air. These traditions, once common across small-town radio, have largely disappeared elsewhere but remain a defining part of WCON.
A Tradition of Local Coverage
One of the station’s most enduring contributions has been its coverage of local high school football. Since 1970, WCON has broadcast Habersham Central games, creating a continuous thread of community storytelling that spans generations.
For many families, Friday nights in the fall aren’t complete without tuning in.
Voices That Define a Community
Over the years, WCON has been home to voices that became part of daily life in Habersham County. Long-running programs and familiar personalities helped build a connection with listeners that extended far beyond the airwaves.
That consistency—day after day, year after year—has played a major role in the station’s longevity.
Standing the Test of Time
The broadcasting industry has changed dramatically since 1953. Advances in technology, consolidation of ownership, and shifts in how people consume media have reshaped radio across the country.
Yet in Cornelia, something different has endured.
WCON has remained locally owned, locally programmed, and deeply connected to the community it serves. While its signal has grown stronger and its reach has expanded, its mission has stayed the same.
Still the Voice of Habersham
Today, more than 70 years after its first broadcast, WCON continues to do what it has always done—bring Habersham County together.
From a modest AM signal in 1953 to a 100,000-watt presence today, the station’s story is one of resilience, family leadership, and an unwavering commitment to local radio.
And as long as that commitment remains, WCON will continue to be exactly what it set out to be from the very beginning:
The Voice of Habersham County.
