How the gold standard started
View of the Dahlonega Square Courthouse, now the Dahlonega Gold Museum, in 1929
View of Downtown Dahlonega | 1899
Zach’s Great-Grandparents
The Ridleys | Early 1900s | Dahlonega, GA
Zach Payne's journey is a tapestry woven with the threads of heritage, creativity, and unwavering dedication. As a scion of a lineage that has called Dahlonega home for six generations, Zach's roots run deeper than the veins of gold that first drew settlers to this historic town. It is amidst the rich tapestry of Dahlonega's landscape that Zach's story unfolds, a story steeped in tradition and propelled by innovation. From the earliest whispers of the first gold rush to the vibrant pulse of modern-day Dahlonega, Zach's connection to this land is as timeless as it is profound. The picturesque town of Dahlonega is a place he affectionately calls home, yet his formative years unfolded amidst the captivating landscapes a few miles north in Cleveland, Georgia. Reflecting on his upbringing, Zach recalls,
Overlooking the North Georgia mountains at a gold mining cut on Crown Mountain Circa 1949 | Homesite of Zach’s Grandmother, and where Zach & Jordan now reside.
Velman “VO” Lunsford & Fannie Ridley Lunsford | Early 1940s | Dahlonega, GA
Lunsford family home in Downtown Dahlonega | Circa 1970s
“Growing up in the North Georgia mountains was an incredible experience – one that I’ve come to cherish more deeply as I’ve grown older.”
Zach and his Dad, Leroy, hiking a development property | 1990s
Surrounded by the intricate world of real estate from an early age, Zach's parents instilled in him a profound understanding of the industry, shaping his career path in profound ways.
“Every family conversation seemed to revolve around real estate,”
Zach at one of his parent’s North Georgia real estate offices | 1993
he reminisces, underscoring the lasting influence of his upbringing on his professional journey.
As a child, scouting land and walking properties with his late father, a property developer and builder, he spent the majority of his early years outdoors where he developed an unwavering appreciation for the beauty of his surroundings. Raised in a household where real estate was not just a profession but a way of life, Zach's upbringing laid the foundation for his illustrious career trajectory.
One of Zach’s parents real estate brokerages, Century21 Jenco Realty, in the North Georgia mountains | 1990s