Milledgeville

Time travel to a slice of antebellum heaven in northern Georgia

Stroll through Georgia’s history on a leisurely trip to Milledgeville. Once the capital of the Peach State, Milledgeville is awash with history from its antebellum days with a dash of literary fame and a wealth of natural beauty.

The city sits midway on the 100-mile Georgia Antebellum Trail, which starts in Athens to the north and ends in Macon to the south. During the Civil War, Milledgeville was one of only seven communities in the path of the infamous 1864 Sherman’s March that didn’t get destroyed by Union troops. As a result, it’s home to several well-preserved historic structures from the Civil War era.

Milledgeville holds a special place in America’s literary history. Fans of author Flannery O’Connor flock to Andalusia, the family farm where she turned inspiration into beloved American stories and novels. The complex is open for tours and is home to colorful peacocks, a bird species that appear in some of O’Connor’s stories.

Stephen Matthew Milligan

Historic Architecture

Visitors could spend days touring the town’s historic structures. Surrounded by Lockerly Arboretum’s 50 acres of carefully cultivated trees and plants stands Rose Hill, a Greek Revival-style residence that still retains much of its historic interior and exterior.

Once the home of a local judge, Rose Hill now serves as a museum and educational facility for the arboretum. Lockerly generously invites guests to learn about local ecology and forestry, and to tour the grounds.

Play Outdoors, Georgia Style

The adjacent Oconee River has been a source of water power for nearby mills and is now a popular destination for kayaking, canoeing, boating and fishing. A series of connected walking trails run through the lush terrain on the riverbanks, with hikes ranging from a half-mile to 1 mile long. Fishing stations and a boat ramp are found along the river as well.

Beat the Southern heat with a day at Lake Sinclair about 9 miles to the north. This 15,000-acre destination is perfect for fishing, swimming, boating and more. Drop a line for largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and striped bass.

For More Information

Milledgeville-Baldwin Convention & Visitors Bureau

800- 653-1804

www.visitmilledgeville.com

Georgia Department of Economic Development

800-847-4842

www.exploregeorgia.org