As the temporary seat of Lumpkin County in 1832, Nathaniel Nuckolls built a tavern, hotel, and several buildings to house the miners.

Within six months of the lottery, "one hundred family dwellings, eighteen or twenty stores, twelve or fifteen law offices, and four or five taverns" were to be found in the town.

The 40-acre (16 ha) gold lot on which most of Auraria stood was won by John R. Plummer, but his right to participate in the lottery was questioned.

Faced with this legal challenge, the lower court judges picked the site north of Auraria near the Cane Creek mining area.

To visit Auraria, travel from the square in Dahlonega on the west road to Dawsonville, pass the college (the gold-domed building is built on the foundation of the old mint).