By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Northwest Georgia Mountains > Walker County > Lookout Mountain

Over the years hundreds of barns standing along highways have been painted, urging folks to See Rock City on Lookout Mountain. 

It is the subject of what is probably one of the best advertising campaigns in America. Not long after Rock City opened as a public attraction in 1932, owner Garnet Carter hired sign painter Clark Byers to travel the nation’s highways and offer to paint a farmer’s barn in exchange for letting him paint three simple words on its roof: See Rock City. By the close of the 1930s, Byers had painted the black and white signs on barns as far north as Michigan and as far west as Texas, enticing travelers to visit the Rock City Gardens designed by Carter’s wife, Frieda.

Today, Rock City is one of the most recognized attractions in America. You can walk the trails of Rock City that Frieda Carter spent four years laying out around the giant rock formations and botanical wonders on top of Lookout Mountain with only a string to mark her trail. (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > West Central Georgia > Harris County > Pine Mountain

Butterflies roam freely throughout the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, a climate controlled glass conservatory at Callaway Gardens. 

If you have ever stopped to admire the brilliance of a butterfly floating across your garden or chuckled as a child scampered in pursuit, then you will thrill to a walk through the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center at Callaway Gardens.

Imagine 1,000 tropical butterflies in all their colorful glory flying freely all around you in this enclosed octagonal glass conservatory. Opened in 1988, the 4.5-acre conservatory with its 12-foot waterfall and pool was designed to recreate the atmosphere of a rain forest environment.

Fifty species of butterflies roam throughout the Butterfly Center — if you stand still one might land on your shoulder. Look closely and you may see moths and butterflies emerging from chrysalises. Numerous tropical plants and tropical birds add to the experience. (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Coastal Georgia > Chatham County > Skidaway Island

Soft corals, sponges and invertebrates are a natural habitat for reef and pelagic fish within Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary off the Georgia Coast.

Loggerhead turtles foraging, dolphins, Right Whales, pelagic birds and fish, and a live-bottom reef that supports invertebrates, soft corals and sponges can all be seen on the Georgia Coast in the Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary.

Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, one of the largest near shore live-bottom reefs of the southeastern United States, is one of the most popular spots off the Georgia coast for recreational fishing and diving. It is just one of 14 marine protected areas that make up the National Marine Sanctuary System, but the only natural area protected off the Georgia coast. The 17 square nautical miles (about 11,000 acres) of Gray’s Reef protects habitat that is recognized both nationally and internationally.

Within the sanctuary, there are rocky ledges and flat and rippled sand plains. Gray’s Reef is not a coral reef, such as those found in the tropics. It is not built by living hard corals. Instead, it is a rock outcropping that stands above the shifting sands of the continental shelf. The wide variety of invertebrates, soft corals and sponges that the reef supports, in turn, supports a wide variety of reef and pelagic fishes, such as king mackerel. This makes Gray’s Reef a popular spot for both diving and recreational fishing.

Also growing in popularity at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary is pelagic bird watching. Some of the species seen in the Sanctuary include true pelagic birds — such as shearwaters, petrels and bridled terns that spend their entire lives at sea except when they nest or are blown inshore during heavy storms — as well as seabirds like gulls and royal terns that forage at sea but return regularly to land.

Loggerhead sea turtles are frequently seen resting and foraging at Gray’s Reef; other sea turtle species sometimes pass through the sanctuary. Both bottlenose and spotted dolphin are seen in the Sanctuary, and it is possible that you will encounter a highly endangered North Atlantic Right Whale when visiting Gray’s Reef as the Sanctuary is near the only known calving ground for the whales and near an area designated as critical habitat.

Located 32 kilometers (17.5 miles) off Sapelo Island between Savannah and Brunswick and 60-70 feet below the ocean surface, the sanctuary is only accessible by private boat. The Sanctuary does not run boat tours, fishing trips or dive trips. However, independent boat operators run fishing trips and dive trips to the Sanctuary.

The Gray’s Reef administrative offices are on the north end of Skidaway Island near Savannah on the campus of Skidaway Institute of Oceanography.

Read more about National Marine Sanctuaries, barrier islands, Sapelo Island, Skidaway Island, Savannah, Brunswick, and Chatham County, or find other activities in the Coastal Georgia Travel Region here at Brown’s Guides.

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Northeast Georgia Mountains > Hall County > Gainesville

Located to the Northeast Georgia History Center, the cabin where Cherokee Chief White Path was born and raised pays tribute to an Indian leader who was betrayed by his friend, President Andrew Jackson. 

The history of Native Americans who once roamed the rolling piedmont of Georgia is one that ends sorrowfully. One story that only adds to the poignancy is that of Cherokee Indian Chief White Path. White Path was born in 1761 near present day Ellijay and grew up in a cabin. His Cherokee name, Nunna-tsune-ga, translates literally as “I dwell on the peaceful (or white) path.”

In 1814, White Path joined General Andrew Jackson to fight the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in Alabama. It is said that White Path and Chief John Ross swam across the Tallapoosa River and stole the Creek canoes prior to the battle, cutting off their escape by water, and ensuring a victory for Andrew Jackson.

Over the next two decades, White Path, who was a skillful orator, protested the influence of white settlers and spoke out against it in fiery oratory at the Cherokee capitol of New Echota. A strict follower of the traditional ways, he railed against the new Cherokee constitution as well as the introduction of Christianity by the missionaries. Eventually, he had to yield to the new ways. His new focus became fighting the removal policies of his old comrade and now president, Andrew Jackson. (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Atlanta Metro > Fulton County > Atlanta

This 1953 painting, “Celestial Gate” by prominent African-American artist Hale Woodruff, is part of the permanent collection at the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art. 

The Spelman College Museum of Fine Art, located in the Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby Academic Center at Spelman College in Atlanta, has a 4,500-square foot exhibition area that displays an impressive collection of art, ranging from painting and sculpture to prints and textiles. It is the only museum in the nation that emphasizes works by and about women of the African Diaspora in its collections, exhibitions and programs.

The museum’s permanent collection contains 20^th century paintings and sculptures by African American artists. Particularly significant are the works by Hale Woodruff, the prominent painter, printmaker and teacher who taught at Spelman College and established the art department at the Atlanta University Center in 1931. The permanent collection at the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art also comprises extensive African holdings, with a strong emphasis on the art of central Africa. (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Northeast Georgia Mountains > Towns County > Young Harris

From arcade games to go-carts to miniature golf, you will find hours of family entertainment at Fun World at Fieldstone. 

Located in the North Georgia Mountains on Lake Chatuge, Fun World at Fieldstone provides families with a bunch of fun in a wholesome atmosphere.

A great place to play, this 83,000-square foot game and activity center has a lot going on. You’ll find laser tag and a four-face climbing wall that is supervised from start to finish. There are five indoor batting cages, ranging from 30 mph slow pitch softball to 65 mph baseball, and slick track go-cart racing with two size go-carts ­- at least 5 years or 44 inches tall and 10 years up or at least 56 inches tall.

The 9-hole indoor miniature golf has a lot of wacky obstacles for extra fun; and the Arcade features over 100 interactive games, including Guitar Hero, Big Bass Wheel, Deal or No Deal, Ghost Squad and Daytona USA. There are inflatables for bouncing and sliding as well as Foam Factory - a three-level interactive foam play area for ages 10 and under that includes two slides and several foam cannons that shoot out foam bouncing balls. The youngest of children will enjoy Toddler Town. (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Central Georgia > Bibb County > Macon

Known as the Mother of the Blues and recognized as the first great black professional blues vocalist, Ma Rainey is one of the Georgia born musical greats who has performed at the Douglass Theatre in Macon. 

Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Otis Redding, James Brown, Little Richard. They are some of the early jazz and blues greats who have performed at the Douglass Theatre in Macon. When you are in that town, stop by the newly renovated theatre to learn some fascinating African-America history.

According to the written history of the Douglass Theatre, Charles Douglass was born the son of a former slave in 1870 and grew up in a one-room house built by his father.

“Working as soon as he was large enough to earn money, he peddled light wood and vegetables in the morning, attended school in the afternoon, and chopped cotton for fifteen cents a day.

“In a time of racism and segregation, Douglass saw opportunity in serving the black population of Macon. In 1898 Charles Douglass entered into the bicycle repair and renting business and did well until the automobile craze came. In 1901, Douglass worked as the director of the Georgia Loan and Savings Company. There he met his future wife Fannie, who was an assistant cashier.

“Organizing the Florida Blossom Minstrels and Comedy Company in 1907 made him very familiar with the minstrel circuit of entertainers. He also took advantage of TOBA (Theatre Operators Booking Agency) – a network of over 40 theatres, which was the major source of employment for many black performers. (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Southwest Georgia > Thomas County > Thomasville

Plants that attract butterflies and birds are an inspiring part of the landscape along the twelve miles of nature trails found at Birdsong Nature Center. 

When traveling in Southwest Georgia near Thomasville, be sure to visit Birdsong Nature Center. Located south of the city, just four miles north of the Florida state line, Birdsong is a 565-acre nature preserve and education center that is inspiring. The beauty of its woodlands, wetlands and old-field habitats as well as the diversity of the wildlife it attracts cannot be denied, but its history is also worth noting.

Before the Civil War, the property was part of a large plantation that continued to be a working farm in post Civil War years, producing crops, such as peanuts, sweet potatoes and corn, and raising livestock, such as cattle, hogs and horses. By the time Ed and Betty Komarek purchased the 565-acre Birdsong Plantation in 1938, the land was completely worn out. The Komareks began renewing the worn-out fields, using what were at that time new methods of prescribed burning, cover crops, and crop rotations and creating pasture for a livestock farm. They set aside natural areas for wildlife by landscaping the six acres around their house with plants that produced year-round flowers and berries to attract a variety of birds, insects, and butterflies.

From the beginning, people as well as wildlife flocked to the bird feeders and gardens of Birdsong. A double window in the dining area provided a limited view of the lushly landscaped feeder area – previously a barren chicken yard. In 1958, the Komareks replaced it with a large plate-glass “bird window” to facilitate the viewing pleasure of their visitors.

The kitchen and adjacent bird-watching window were the sites of frequent visits and meetings. Scientists and naturalists from around the world, attracted to the south Georgia woods by the pioneering activities in fire experimentation and wildlife management being implemented by plantation properties in the area, often stayed at the adjacent Stoddard’s Sherwood Plantation and took their meals at the Komareks’ Birdsong. The creation of Tall Timbers Research Station in 1958 as an experimental station for ecological research and study grew from these scientific visits and discussions. Research and the fire conferences sponsored by Tall Timbers have changed the nation’s thinking about the role of fire in the environment. (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Atlanta Metro > Fulton County > Atlanta

The Dixie Coca-Cola Bottling Company Plant, a National Historic Landmark, housed the first bottling operation of the Coca-Cola Company.

Earlier this year, I wrote about visiting the World of Coca-Cola, where you can learn the fascinating history about Coca-Cola and view some of the modern technology that goes into bottling it. Another Atlanta site to see in conjunction with a visit to the World of Coca-Cola is the Dixie Coca-Cola Bottling Company Plant on Edgewood Avenue.

Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1983, this building is the oldest surviving building associated with the early days of Coke. From 1900 to 1901, it was the headquarters and plant of the Dixie Coca-Cola Bottling Company, parent of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

Outgrown as a bottling facility in just one year, the building represents Coca-Cola’s transformation from strictly a fountain treat to primarily a bottled drink. Until the mid-1890s, Coca-Cola was sold only at soda fountains. At that time, the head of Coca-Cola, Asa Candler, was not interested in bottling. Several individuals approached Candler about bottling the soft drink in different regions. Eventually, Candler gave exclusive rights to Benjamin Thomas and Joseph Whitehead to bottle Coca-Cola for the Southeast, Southwest and Midwest, with Candler supplying the syrup. This contract has been heralded as “one of the most valuable contracts in the annals of American business.” (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > West Central Georgia > Muscogee County > Columbus

“Sacred Fire,” a sculpture by Kathy Hamrick, symbolizes the ceremonial flame and the last fires burned on original Creek lands at the Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center.

There is a lot of Native American history to explore in the Chattahoochee River Valley—on both sides of the river. An interesting place to visit in Alabama is directly across the river from Columbus. Here, the Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center sits atop a high hill overlooking the river adjacent to the Fort Russell Historic Site in Russell County about 10 miles south of Phenix City on Highway 165.

Fort Mitchell, an early 19th century federal garrison, was built to provide defense for the area during the Creek Indian War of 1813-1814 and the Creek War of 1836. It also was one of the principal gathering points for the forced removal of Creek Indians following the complete collapse of the Indian Nation after the Creek War of 1836. Some Creeks refused to go, hiding in the Alabama interior or joining Seminole Indians on the Apalachicola River in Florida. But most – starving and stripped of their land and possessions – began the walk, known as the Trail of Tears, to a resettlement reservation in Oklahoma. Many died along the way.

The Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center memorializes the tragic removal of the Creeks. The center sits on land adjacent to Fort Mitchell where thousands of Indian families camped before starting west.

The purpose of the Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center is to celebrate the culture and accomplishments of the Indians who inhabited the Chattahoochee River Valley for at least 12,000 years before their removal by the U. S. Government. The names of all the Indian heads of household who passed through Fort Mitchell on the journey are inscribed on metal tablets surrounding a symbolic recreation of a square ground in a Creek village. (more…)