18th Century to Present Day

Cherokee Lands to Civil War Crossroads

North Georgia has a rich history that dates back to the 18th century, when the Cherokee Indians inhabited the region. In the early 19th century, the Georgia Gold Rush brought an influx of settlers to the area, and many small farming communities began to thrive. Over time, these communities grew and developed into larger towns, such as Kingston, which was established in 1839.

During the American Civil War, this area played a significant role due to its strategic location along the Etowah River. The Etowah River was a vital waterway for transporting supplies and troops, and it was also an important source of power for mills and factories. In 1864, during General William T. Sherman's March to the Sea, Union troops occupied the area and destroyed much of the town's infrastructure, including a railroad depot and several mills and factories. The destruction of these key transportation and manufacturing hubs severely hampered the Confederate war effort.

From Royalty to Racing

By the early 1980s, the 5,000-acre property presently known as Kingston Downs, was a patchwork of small cattle farms and homesteads. It was during this time that Prince Faisal bin Salman bin Abudlaziz Al Saud, a member of the Saudi Arabian royal family, began purchasing land in the area. His vision was to create a large, contiguous land mass, and he eventually acquired approximately 8,000 acres.

In 1991, Prince Faisal declared bankruptcy and his property was put up for auction. Although several smaller parcels were auctioned off, the main 5,000-acre parcel was purchased out of bankruptcy by Carl Bouckaert and Mieke Hanssens in 1992. Both had extensive experience in the equestrian world, and with the Atlanta Steeplechase organization, they decided to make the property the new home of the Atlanta Steeplechase. Paying homage to Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby, they named the property Kingston Downs.

Atlanta Steeplechase

From 1997 until 2017, Kingston Downs served as the home of the Atlanta Steeplechase, which attracted more than 25,000 patrons in its biggest years. It was also the home base for the Shamrock Hound Fox Hunting Club. Although the property was mainly known for its equestrian events and activities, the last Atlanta Steeplechase in 2017 marked the end of an era for Kingston Downs.

Transforming Kingston Downs into an Outdoor Destination

Stan Bouckaert, the son of Carl and Mieke, and his wife, Marie Pieri, saw the potential of the property and put together a business plan to revitalize it and share it with others. After several years of little to no upkeep, the property had become quite overgrown, so Stan and Marie began clearing up the overgrowth and renovating outdated structures. One of their first major projects was to build a 5.5-mile hiking and mountain biking trail and three quaint cottages nestled in the woods overlooking a 29-acre wildflower field.

Today, Kingston Downs offers a wide variety of accommodations and small event spaces and hosts a multitude of mid- to large-size outdoor events. As the property continues to evolve, it remains a cherished part of North Georgia's history and a popular destination for those seeking adventure and natural beauty.