Things To Do In Polk County, Georgia

Things To Do In Polk County, Georgia

Polk County, Georgia is one interesting place to visit if you are looking for a new place to explore. That’s because it has a mix of fun and mysterious vibes. Some tourists might find the historic sites and buildings a bit off or heavy, especially if they have a dark history of slavery and so might prefer something modern and light. On the other hand, some might really want to deep dive into the backstory that made the place what it is today.

So, whatever side you belong to, you’re in for a treat because this place is definitely worth a try.

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation

Cedartown Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia

This location used to be the home of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Cedartown. In 2014, the Morris family purchased the property with every intention to transform it into a museum from the get-go. They restored the plant in order to preserve its history and educate visitors about every aspect of its rich story for the last 130 years.

Now, it houses the popular brand’s comprehensive collection of memorabilia. Here, you get to experience the most recognizable brand’s journey, the story linked to each item, the marketing and advertising pieces that represent the demands and sentiments of their customers for each period, and many more.

Hightower Falls

Hightower Falls - Cedartown, Goergia
Image courtesy of Hightower Falls

If you want to experience nature at its finest, a trip to a waterfall might just be what you need. This is an 80-foot cascading waterfall that is spring-fed located at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains sandwiched by Cedartown and Rockmart. Its beauty is accentuated by flowers and landscapes.

However, there’s a catch. It’s a private property owned by a family so you only get to experience its glory via reservations for your photo ops and events.

Peek Forest Park

This is a scenic city park, the location of which was acquired via a donation by Captain J. A. Peek. It features picnic areas, a fancy playground, a tennis court, shelters, and even an interactive fountain. This was completed via the cooperation of local citizens and volunteers which funded the construction.

It also has public restrooms and parking for the convenience of parkgoers. This park is for all ages and is group-friendly.

Meadow Lakes Golf Course

If you are a “less is more” sports enthusiast, then, this is the perfect spot for you. This 18-hole semi-private golf course designed by Ken Skodacek in 1985 measures more than 6,500 yards from the blue trees and 6,000 from the white, with well-manicured tees, and Brent Grass greens.

This golf course is for all skill levels. So, whether you are a beginner or a champion-caliber, it sure is a perfect location. However, be informed that this course has 50% water hazards and its last four holes are said to be some of the toughest finishing holes in the city. Note for my West Australian friend, Greg – if you ever take a break from being the best roof cleaning Perth has to offer, we need to play Meadow Lakes. I’ll need your water blasting skills to get me out of all those hazards!

Skydiving

If you want to bring adventure to the highest level, like literally high, then you need to try skydiving. Take that adrenaline boost via tandem skydive or you can even learn solo jump. If you want to earn a skydiving license, you can work it out with a company like Skydive Georgia or Skydive the Farm.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Cedartown, A Main Street City

Downtown Cedartown
Cculber007 at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons

Cedartown is one interesting location when you are on the lookout for historic sites to explore. For one, it’s rich in different varieties of architectural styles that date back to the 1880s to 1910s. To be able to fully enjoy the experience, you need to allot at least 2 hours.

Interestingly, it’s Main Street was included in the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. There are 65 contributing buildings, one each of contributing structures and contributing objects. A couple of the historic structures are the West Theater built in 1941 and the 1920s train depot that also houses a little museum, the replica of which was destroyed in the 1970s. 

This mini museum contains some details of the city’s rich history. One example of interesting finds here is about some of the county’s famous personalities.

Sterling Holloway Birthplace

Sterling Price Holloway Jr., born on January 14, 1905, and died on November 22, 1992, was a favorite son of Polk County, particularly, in Cedartown and rightfully so. Holloway was an American actor who starred in more than 100 films and 40 TV shows in his lifetime. 

As a tribute, a historical marker was erected by Governor Zell Miller in 1998 in Cedartown. It can be found at the intersection of Sterling Holloway Place and South College Streets.

Rosehill Cemetery/Gazebo

The land where the cemetery was located was donated by a personality considered the founder of Rockmart named Seaborn Jones to the Rockmart town. The donor actually had reserved an area for himself. Eventually, his gravestone became the tallest among the rest in the cemetery, besides standing on the highest site.

Considered the most recognizable historical landmark in Rockmart, the gazebo was constructed in 1891 and offers a breathtaking view of Rockmart’s landscape.

Aragon Mill Site

This was constructed in 1898 by Walcott and Campbell. It was then sold to A. D. Juilliard Co. in 1900 which added a lot of features over the years. Its one-story section built in the same year holds six pairs of spinning mules. 

After 4 years, the second floor was added over the spinning mules and 56 duck C&K looms and twisters replaced the mule spinners. Some other significant additions and changes through the years are as follows:

  • 1930s – renamed into United Merchants Mill
  • 1939 – built an additional shop
  • 1940 – added a spinning room and 60” Draper; drapery looms moved from Brookford and New York Mills
  • 1970 – shut down operations
  • 1972 – Integrated Products revived its operations
  • 1989 – David Bridges made a leveraged buyout and operated it until March 31, 1990
  • 1990 – in October, Diamond Rug and Carpet purchased and operated the mill until 1994
  • 1998 – bought by Brian and Kirk Spears and used for pillows and wooden pallets production
  • 2002 – fire destroyed the mill on August 6

Confederate Memorial

This can be found at the grounds of the 1951 Polk County Courthouse and a contributing feature in Cedartown Commercial Historic District’s 1992 placement on the National Register of Historic Places. It was erected in 1906 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

Famous People From Polk County, Georgia

Polk County, Georgia is rich in history heritage sites and things to do. Heaps of records and articles don’t lie. However, with its almost 43,000 population as of 2020, it’s no wonder that it can be a cradle of exceptional individuals forming part of its most prized possessions.

Below is the list of some of the famous people that Polk County has ever produced to date. Interestingly, all of them were born in Cedartown, the county’s seat, except for one.

A. M. Cagle

Alfred Marcus Cagle was an American hymnwriter born in 1884 and was known for his Sacred Harp movement activities. His very first compositions “New Hope” and “Present Joys” were published in the Union Harp (1909) and the Original Sacred Harp (1911).

He also had a bass voice and was a popular shape note hymns composer. His “Sacred Mount” and “Soar Away” were featured in Original Sacred Harp: (Denson Revision 1986). He was also featured in many performances, one of which was on the 1959 United Convention recording.

Betty Reynolds Cobb

Born in 1884, Betty was an activist, author, and lawyer. She was one of the very first female lawyers in Georgia and in the entire US to be accepted to the bar. She was also one of the early members of the League of Women Voters.

She was also known for leading feminist activities and fighting for women’s rights in society, addressing women’s betterment and empowerment, and issues surrounding opportunities in male-dominated careers and specializations.

Edgar Chandler

Edgar Thomas Chandler, Jr. was an American football player born in 1946. He was a professional linebacker for the Buffalo Bills (AFL and NFL), and New England Patriots (NFL). He was also a two-time All-American (1966 and 1967) at the University of Georgia.

George W. Mundy

George W. Mundy
U.S. Air Force, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

General Mundy was born in 1905. He attended Georgia’s Emory University in 1923-1924 but was later appointed to the United States Military Academy. That’s where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in 1928.

He took pilot training in 1928 in Brooks and Kelly Field, Texas. He became a lieutenant general and received the Legion of Merit award.

Ida Cox

Ida M. Prather was an American singer-songwriter and vaudeville performer, born in Toccoa (formerly part of Habersham County, GA) in 1887 but grew up in Cedartown. She was popular for her recordings and blues performances and was even considered “The Uncrowned Queen of the Blues”.

Her career started by playing Topsy, a character from the novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Included in her resume were her stints with African-American traveling minstrel shows connected with the vaudeville circuit Theater Owners Booking Association such as the Rabbit Foot Minstrels, the Silas Green Show, and the Florida Orange Blossom Minstrels.

Joseph E. Boone

He was an American civil rights activist born in 1922 and was known to have marched alongside fellow activist, Martin Luther King Jr. He was also a minister at the First Congregational Church in Anniston, Alabama from the year 1955 to 1959 and a pastor at the Rush Memorial Congregational Church of the Atlanta University Center.

One of his most notable roles was being appointed by President Jimmy Carter as Governor’s Council on Human Relations in 1971.

Korbin Forrister

Korbin Forrister
Zach Catanzareti Photo, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Born in 1992, Robert Korbin Forrister was an American professional stock car racing driver. He started very early and won dirt track racing at the age of 9 and attempted his stock car debut at Mobile International Speedway for Lafferty Motorsports via the ARCA Racing Series.

He raced a total of 6 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for over 3 years with best finish at 85th and in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with 57 races over 7 years with best finish at 45th. He last competed at NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series.

Marnie Andrews 

She was an American television and stage actress, writer, poet, and teacher born in 1951. 

Some of her notable appearances in TV and movies include the following:

  • ER
  • JAG
  • Line of Fire: The Morris Dees Story
  • Murder One
  • Reasonable Doubts
  • Shattered Mind
  • The Wonder Years

As a writer and poet, her articles were published in CR, Natural History, Amica, and American Theatre, with topics ranging from travels, environmental protection issues, friendships, and working within the community, among others. As a teacher, she taught at the University of Southern California Graduate Film School, New York University, and the University at Albany, SUNY.

Robby Garner

Born in 1963, Garner is an American software developer and natural language programmer. He started programming at 15 years old and formed Robitron Software Research, Inc., a software company, with his father and sister in 1997.

He is best known for his Albert One program which won the Loebner Prize in 1998 and 1999 and is listed for his “most human” computer program in the 2001 Guinness Book of World Records.

Sam Hunt

Sam Lowry Hunt
Jessxtn, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sam Lowry Hunt is an American singer and songwriter born in 1984. He once tried pursuing a professional football career, after having played during his high school and college days. He eventually signed with MCA Nashville as a musician in 2014.

He has worked with well-known artists like Keith Urban, Reba McEntire, Kenny Chesney, and Billy Currington for their singles, before venturing into his solo career. He had several records tucked under his belt, one being his debut solo album breaking several records. The lead single from the album peaked at the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts concurrently.

Seale Harris

Born in 1870, Harris was an American physician and researcher best known for his discovery of hyperinsulinism that causes spontaneous hypoglycemia. He got his medical degree in 1894 from the University of Virginia and practiced in Union Springs, Alabama.

Due to his leadership and his writings about a wide array of both medical and political topics, he was dubbed “the Benjamin Franklin of Medicine”.

Sterling Holloway

Born in 1905, Holloway was an American voice, TV, and film actor. Some of his famous appearances include voice acting in iconic shows, which include the following:

  • Adult Flower in Bambi
  • Kaa in The Jungle Book
  • Mr. Stork in Dumbo in The Walt Disney Company
  • Roquefort the Mouse in The Aristocats
  • the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland
  • the title character in Winnie the Pooh

William J. Harris

William Julius Harris was born in 1868 and was known for having been a US senator from 1919 to 1932. He graduated in 1890 from the University of Georgia.

He came from a family of politicians. He was a son-in-law of the Confederate General and Representative from Alabama, Joseph Wheeler, and a great-grandson of a former Representative from North Carolina, Charles Hooks.

Famous Buildings of Polk County, Georgia

Famous Buildings of Polk County, Georgia

Named after the 11th president of the United States of America, Polk Country is in the northwestern part of the state of Georgia. Within this county lies three cities, namely: Aragon, Cedartown, and Rockmart, and borders other GA counties like Bartow, Floyd, Haralson, and Paulding, as well as Alabama counties of Cherokee and Cleburne.

It was created via an act of the Georgia General Assembly on December 20, 1851, and is the 96th county of the state, with Cedartown being selected as the county seat.

Historic Buildings

With Polk County’s rich history, you would certainly expect that the most popular building attractions are the historic ones. Listed below are some of them – just bear in mind that you’ll need an amazing rural mortgage broker to buy one of these pieces of history.

West Cinema 

West Cinema or West Theater can be one of the most fascinating and unique cinemas out there. It originally belonged to LAM Amusement Company and was designed by the Tucker & Howell architectural firm and its allegory, the “Drama & Music” found at the entrance was a handiwork by the sculptor Julian Hoke Harris from Carrollton, Georgia.

This place shows classic and latest films, especially first-run movies, but later on, kept up with the digital technology in its twin screen.

Built in 1941, it is one true example of an Art Deco style. It features historic details like the chandeliers in the lobby, while the walls are adorned with 50’s and 60’s movie cards.

It has gone through a lot of color changes but usually stays true to its theme of black and white. However, Ken Browning, the owner, said that the color closest to the original was the current palette. 

St. James Episcopal Church

St James Episcopal Church, Cedartown Georgia
Jud McCranie, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The first service held in Cedartown happened in 1878 by a small group of Episcopalians. However, the church building wasn’t erected until five years later on West Avenue which started with just a frame without any adornment and amenities. From the photo above, it looks like they’re in need of a good roof cleaning service.

The building was only completed in 1884 when it had been accessorized with hand-carved rails in the altar, as well as appropriate pews. The first official worship service happened on April 27, 1884, in the new church building. As the church grows over the years, services have not been limited to this structure alone, but in different commercial buildings, other churches, and even in homes.

Polk County Historical Society Museum & Gardens

If you are a history enthusiast, this museum might excite you. It houses abundant displays of the county’s distant past.

If you search on Google, you might not see a lot of information about it. That’s because it was formerly known as Hawkes Children’s Library. It was founded by the optometrist and inventor, Albert King Hawkes, hence the name. He was known in the state as a philanthropist and advocate of theater and libraries for children.

This building was built in 1924 and designed by an architect from the state, Neel Reid. It features a Cherokee Indian exhibit, and displays of celebrity pride of Polk County like Sterling Holloway, among others.

On November 24, 1980, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Polk County Courthouse #2

There was a previous Courthouse in Van Wert which was built around 1838. However, following the proclamation of Cedar Town as the county’s seat in 1851, the former owner of the land, Asa Priors, who was one of the first settlers who arrived in 1837, sold it to the government with the intention of constructing a new courthouse.

So, in Cedartown, the courthouse was constructed the following year of the county’s creation. It has served as both the City Hall and courthouse. However, it was burned down by the Union forces sometime in 1864.

The present courthouse was actually the fifth of the county as the second was constructed in 1867 and again, was burned down in 1887. The third one was a brick structure with two stories, built between 1889 and 1891. The fourth was the old City Hall now serving as County Courthouse Annex and was built between 1935 and 1936.

The Old Mill

Image courtesy of Explore Georgia

This structure was originally used as a mill for corn and wheat and was in operation until 1945. It was built through slave labor for Asa Prior in 1848. It easily became a gathering area in Cedartown when settlers brought their crops for milling within the day.

It was later on operated as a restaurant between 1960 and 1991 by Mr. and Mrs. Stephens. Within those years, in 1984, it was used as the set for the TV drama “The Baron and the Kid” which starred actors Johnny Cash and Richard Roundtree. 

It used to have several facilities for meetings, parties, and public restrooms. It was eventually purchased by Jim and Ann Madden in 1997 to serve as their place of residence.

Rockmart Woman’s Club

Located in Rockmart, Georgia, this club dates back to 1906. Eventually, in 1913, it allied with the Georgia Federation of Women’s Clubs. Its headquarters moved in 1922 to the permanent building that we know today. The structure was designed by an architect named W. Roy Reece.

In 1995, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places and is part of another historic Polk County structure; the Cedartown Waterworks-Woman’s Building-Big Spring Park Historic District.

History of Polk County, Georgia

Polk County is a county located in the north-central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is located in the Appalachian Mountains region of Georgia and is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. The county seat is Cedartown. Polk County is bordered by Floyd County to the north, Paulding County to the east, Haralson County to the south, and Bartow County to the west.

Early History of Polk County, Georgia

Polk County was created on December 20, 1851, from parts of Floyd, Paulding, and Carroll counties. It was named after James K. Polk, the 11th President of the United States. James K. Polk served as President from 1845 to 1849 and was known for his expansionist policies, including the annexation of Texas and the Mexican-American War.

Prior to European colonization, the land that is now Polk County was inhabited by the Cherokee and Creek Native American tribes. European settlers began to arrive in the area in the early 19th century, and the county was officially established in 1851.

Like many other areas in Georgia, Polk County was home to a number of cotton plantations in the antebellum period. The county also had a number of iron ore deposits, which were mined and used to produce iron products such as stoves, railings, and other metal goods.

During the American Civil War, Polk County was a center of Confederate sympathizers and saw some fighting. After the war, the county experienced a period of economic growth and development, with the construction of railroads and the development of a number of small towns.

In recent decades, Polk County has become a part of the Atlanta metropolitan area and has seen significant population growth. Today, the county is home to a diverse mix of residents and is known for its small-town charm and natural beauty.

Polk County, Georgia – Recent History

Hawkes Children’s Library – Cedartown

In the post-World War II period, Polk County, like much of the rest of Georgia, underwent a period of rapid economic and population growth. The construction of interstate highways and the expansion of the Atlanta metropolitan area brought new residents and businesses to the county.

During this time, the county’s economy underwent a transformation, with a shift away from agriculture and manufacturing towards a more service-based economy. The county has also seen a number of new residential and commercial developments in recent years, as well as an increase in tourism.

Despite this growth, Polk County has managed to maintain its small-town charm and rural character. The county is known for its natural beauty, with a number of state parks, forests, and wildlife areas, as well as a number of small towns and historic sites. Today, Polk County is a popular place to live and visit, known for its friendly communities and rich history.