Kingwood Resort's History

Kingwood Resort was named after the prominent King family of Atlanta who originally built their family home at the mountain retreat. Developer Larry McClure opened Kingwood in 1968. The Georgia mountain resort quickly attracted wealthy Atlantans and upscale visitors throughout the Southeast. In 1971, Hollywood discovered Kingwood as well. The resort housed the cast and crew of James Dickey's Deliverance while the movie was being filmed in the area. The resort and golf course was closed in 1981 due to a dispute between the owner and members of the county. In 1998 Killearn, Inc. purchased the property and rebuilt the resort.

Kingwood's revitalization is hot news in Rabun County because the resort was extremely popular for social events and golf. The golf course, which features stunning mountain views with bent grass greens cut to perfection, has been restored and completely reconstructed under the direction of noted golf course architect Scott Pool and Killearn's Director of Golf Jack Sauers.

The $15 million restoration for the 30-plus year old, 721-acre resort property two miles east of Clayton has taken only two years since Atlanta developer, J. T. Williams, president of Killearn, Inc. purchased the property. The official grand opening for the georgia mountain resort community in 2000 has proven a huge success, with more than $1 million in home sites sold during the last four months.

"We opened the new membership to 200 local members, which we thought would take years to fill," Williams said. "We were really surprised when it was filled in only 40 days."

There are many people looking for weekend retreats, carefree retirement living and solid real estate opportunities in Rabun County. Kingwood Resort will provide all of these things including golf and mountain home sites, exclusive homes, luxury condominiums and a fantastic country club and spa to enjoy after that great round of golf. Kingwood will offer nearly 550 single-family residential lots and approximately 550 condominiums over the next several years. The first phase includes 150 home sites, ranging from $40,000 to over $100,000.

Located just 90 miles north of Atlanta, Kingwood Resort is nestled amidst the beautiful scenery of the Northeast Georgia Mountains in Rabun County. Whether you're looking for a weekend retreat, a second home, or a place to settle down, Kingwood Resort offers a lifestyle for everyone. Experience breathtaking views of North Georgia from our challenging 18-hole, par 71 Scott Pool-designed golf course. In addition to Kingwood, Rabun County has outdoor activities for everyone with three Georgia State Parks, 143,000 acres of U.S. National Forest, the scenic Chattooga River and five major lakes.

Kingwood Resort has just finished the $15 million revitalization of the European spa, Inn, indoor swimming pool, exercise room, rustic clubhouse and the newly reconstructed golf course. With amenities like these, backed by the strength of Killearn, it's no surprise Kingwood Resort is a huge success.

Killearn, headed by J. T. Williams, now in the second generation of Williams family leadership, has developed two 4,000 acre master-planned communities in Tallahassee, known as Killearn Estates, and Killearn Lakes Plantation which includes Golden Eagle. Killearn is currently developing Eagle's Landing, a 3,000 acre master-planned community in Atlanta, Waterfall Country Club at Lake Burton along with Kingwood Resort in the Northeast Georgia Mountains, and is starting a golf community in Henry County and one in Fulton County, Georgia.

Kingwood Resort offers a golf and mountain community, including luxury condominiums, that provides the perfect setting to enjoy those special times with your family and friends. Whether you choose to custom design your own home or select one of our fine homes already built, your Georgia mountain resort experience can begin today.