Do you know your state’s history? Georgia was the scene for some of the biggest and deadliest battles in the Civil War, it was one of the first explored lands by European settlers and is still holds homes and buildings that are hundreds of years old.
While a major piece of history can be found in every Georgia city and town, these 7 towns are special since they are a part of Georgia’s Antebellum Trail. Many historical structures can still be seen along this 100 mile stretch of towns.
Take a journey back into time with these 7 historic Georgia towns:
- Macon, GA
C Smith via Flickr Nicknamed the “Heart of the City,” Macon is located in central Georgia. It was once the site of the Ocmulgee Old Fields, where the Creek Indians resided in the 18th century. It is now a place of museums, universities and historical attractions.
James Davidson via Flickr Pictured here: Historic Hay House in Macon, GA. Johnston-Felton-Hay House is the original name of the Hay House. This national historical landmark is nicknamed the “Palace of the South”.
- Milledgeville, GA
C Smith via Flickr Milledgeville was once the capital of Georgia from 1804 to 1868. Milledgeville flourished as the Antebellum Capital of the south pre-Civil War.
Kate via Flickr Pictured Here: Memory Hill Cemetery in Milledgeville, GA.
- Watkinsville, GA
J Stephen Conn. via Flickr Even though Watkinsville is the largest city in Oconee County, it doesn’t even have 3,000 residents. This city is pretty old, as the first records of this city was found in Clarke County records just 58 years after James Edward Oglethorpe founded Georgia.
Courtney McGough via Flickr Pictured Here: Elder Mill Covered Bridge in Watkinsville, GA
- Madison, GA
Ian&Ellie via Flickr Madison is one pretty little town, and it has been said that Union General Sherman spared this city because it was just too pretty! While it was really spared more for political reasons than anything else, Madison has been known to be a town of culture and sophistication since the early 19th century.
- Juliette, GA
m01229 via Flickr Juliette is an unincorporated community in Monroe County. It was also the setting of the famous movie, “Fried Green Tomatoes.”
B A Bowen Photography via Flickr Pictured Here: Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site in Juliette, GA. This national historical place is a museum and a park.
- Athens, GA
Nicolas Henderson via Flickr Athens’ humble beginnings started with the nation’s first charted university, The University of Georgia. The first buildings on campus were made out of logs and ever since its existence, a thriving town has surrounded the university. Athens has many other historical structures such as the Georgia theatre, pictured here.
GeorgiaInfo via Flickr Pictured Here: T.R.R. Cobb House in Athens, GA.
- Eatonton, GA
mcdaniel0214 via Flickr Eatonton was first inhabited by the Archaic and Woodland Indians. The town was named by the diplomat and adventurer William Eaton. Part of the courthouse, pictured here, was built in 1824.
C Smith via Flickr Pictured Here: Uncle Remus Museum in Eatonton, GA.
Have you ever taken your own small journey through Georgia’s historic towns? If not, now would be the perfect time to take the family on a road trip and learn more about your state’s history!
C Smith via Flickr
Nicknamed the “Heart of the City,” Macon is located in central Georgia. It was once the site of the Ocmulgee Old Fields, where the Creek Indians resided in the 18th century. It is now a place of museums, universities and historical attractions.
James Davidson via Flickr
Pictured here: Historic Hay House in Macon, GA. Johnston-Felton-Hay House is the original name of the Hay House. This national historical landmark is nicknamed the “Palace of the South”.
Milledgeville was once the capital of Georgia from 1804 to 1868. Milledgeville flourished as the Antebellum Capital of the south pre-Civil War.
Kate via Flickr
Pictured Here: Memory Hill Cemetery in Milledgeville, GA.
J Stephen Conn. via Flickr
Even though Watkinsville is the largest city in Oconee County, it doesn’t even have 3,000 residents. This city is pretty old, as the first records of this city was found in Clarke County records just 58 years after James Edward Oglethorpe founded Georgia.
Courtney McGough via Flickr
Pictured Here: Elder Mill Covered Bridge in Watkinsville, GA
Ian&Ellie via Flickr
Madison is one pretty little town, and it has been said that Union General Sherman spared this city because it was just too pretty! While it was really spared more for political reasons than anything else, Madison has been known to be a town of culture and sophistication since the early 19th century.
m01229 via Flickr
Juliette is an unincorporated community in Monroe County. It was also the setting of the famous movie, “Fried Green Tomatoes.”
B A Bowen Photography via Flickr
Pictured Here: Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site in Juliette, GA. This national historical place is a museum and a park.
Nicolas Henderson via Flickr
Athens’ humble beginnings started with the nation’s first charted university, The University of Georgia. The first buildings on campus were made out of logs and ever since its existence, a thriving town has surrounded the university. Athens has many other historical structures such as the Georgia theatre, pictured here.
GeorgiaInfo via Flickr
Pictured Here: T.R.R. Cobb House in Athens, GA.
mcdaniel0214 via Flickr
Eatonton was first inhabited by the Archaic and Woodland Indians. The town was named by the diplomat and adventurer William Eaton. Part of the courthouse, pictured here, was built in 1824.
Pictured Here: Uncle Remus Museum in Eatonton, GA.
What are some cool historical facts about Georgia? Share them with your Georgia family in the comments below.
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