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MACON
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SIGHT SEEING
If archaeology fascinates you, don't miss the Ocmulgee National
Monument, 1207 Emery Highway, 478-752-8257. Known as the largest
archaeological site east of the Mississippi, Ocmulgee has a museum
with exhibits about the people who lived here from 10,000 BC
to around 1700, the People of the Macon Plateau film, an earth
lodge, a reconstruction of a ceremonial building, a trading post
site, an 8 foot high cornfield mound, and the burial mound that
was used as the last resting place for over 100 village leaders.
In the museum you'll find exhibits featuring artifacts from the
6 Native American groups who lived here.
If you love to take walking tours, head to the Convention
and Visitors Bureau office where you can find information on
a Victorian Walking Tour, the White Columns Walking Tour, and
the Downtown Walking Tour. All of these will point out neat historical
buildings and homes, some of which are not open to the public.
If you'd rather have the fun of hearing a costumed tour guide
fill you in on the stories of these historic sites, call the
friendly folks at the Macon Convention & Visitors Bureau,
478-743-3401, 800-768-3401, for suggestions one tour companies.
If you'd like to see how the wealthy lived in the 1800s, head
to the Hay House, 934 Georgia Ave, 478-742-8155. After whisking
his bride away on a 4-year European honeymoon (no-the "4"
is not a typo), William Butler Johnston came home in 1860 and
spent five years overseeing the building of their Italian Renaissance
Revival mansion. As you tour this magnificent home, you'll see
indoor bathrooms, hot and cold running water, an intercom system,
an intricate ventilation system, hand carved marble mantles,
fantastic plaster work, and an elevator. All of which were way
ahead of there time.
For a look inside more historical homes visit the Sidney Lanier
Cottage and the Woodruff House. A stop at the Sidney Lanier Cottage,
935 High St., 478-743-3851, will give you a chance to see where
this famous poet was born in 1842. On the grounds you'll also
find an old-fashioned garden much like the original. Only open
by appointment, the Woodruff House, 988 Bond St., 478-744-2715,
was built in 1836 for Jerry Cowles, a local banker. In 1847 Colonel
Joseph Bond bought the house. Colonel Bond became a household
name around these parts 10 years later when he made the world's
largest record setting cotton sale of 2,200 bales for $100,000.00.
During 1865 when Macon was occupied by Union troops, General
Wilson chose this house as his personal residence. Adding to
the historical significance of this home is that fact that Confederate
President Jefferson Davis and is family were entertained here
in 1887.
Next head to the Grand Opera House, 651 Mulberry St., 478-749-6580.
Built in 1884, in its day this theater had the largest stage
south of the Macon Dixon line. It was so huge that it was able
to feature Ben Hur, complete with horses running on treadmills
to create the feel of a chariot race! Then stop by the Neel Reid
Garden Center, 730 College St., 478-742-0921, where you'll find
a 1907 mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens and landscaping.
If you enjoy the history found in old cemeteries, you need
to visit Rose Hill Cemetery, 1091 Riverside Dr., 478-751-9119.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this cemetery
features terraced hills that slope down to the banks of the Ocmulgee
River. On the grounds you'll find the final resting places of
Duane Alman and Berry Oakley of the Alman Brothers Band, along
with some 600 Confederate and Union soldiers' in Confederate
Square.
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If archaeology fascinates you, don't miss the Ocmulgee National Monument, 1207 Emery Highway, 478-752-8257. Known as the largest archaeological site east of the Mississippi, Ocmulgee has a museum with exhibits about the people who lived here from 10,000 BC to around 1700, the People of the Macon Plateau film, an earth lodge, a reconstruction of a ceremonial building, a trading post site, an 8 foot high cornfield mound, and the burial mound that was used as the last resting place for over 100 village leaders. In the museum you'll find exhibits featuring artifacts from the 6 Native American groups who lived here. If you love to take walking tours, head to the Convention and Visitors Bureau office where you can find information on a Victorian Walking Tour, the White Columns Walking Tour, and the Downtown Walking Tour. All of these will point out neat historical buildings and homes, some of which are not open to the public. If you'd rather have the fun of hearing a costumed tour guide fill you in on the stories of these historic sites, call the friendly folks at the Macon Convention & Visitors Bureau, 478-743-3401, 800-768-3401, for suggestions one tour companies. If you'd like to see how the wealthy lived in the 1800s, head to the Hay House, 934 Georgia Ave, 478-742-8155. After whisking his bride away on a 4-year European honeymoon (no-the "4" is not a typo), William Butler Johnston came home in 1860 and spent five years overseeing the building of their Italian Renaissance Revival mansion. As you tour this magnificent home, you'll see indoor bathrooms, hot and cold running water, an intercom system, an intricate ventilation system, hand carved marble mantles, fantastic plaster work, and an elevator. All of which were way ahead of there time. For a look inside more historical homes visit the Sidney Lanier Cottage and the Woodruff House. A stop at the Sidney Lanier Cottage, 935 High St., 478-743-3851, will give you a chance to see where this famous poet was born in 1842. On the grounds you'll also find an old-fashioned garden much like the original. Only open by appointment, the Woodruff House, 988 Bond St., 478-744-2715, was built in 1836 for Jerry Cowles, a local banker. In 1847 Colonel Joseph Bond bought the house. Colonel Bond became a household name around these parts 10 years later when he made the world's largest record setting cotton sale of 2,200 bales for $100,000.00. During 1865 when Macon was occupied by Union troops, General Wilson chose this house as his personal residence. Adding to the historical significance of this home is that fact that Confederate President Jefferson Davis and is family were entertained here in 1887. Next head to the Grand Opera House, 651 Mulberry St., 478-749-6580. Built in 1884, in its day this theater had the largest stage south of the Macon Dixon line. It was so huge that it was able to feature Ben Hur, complete with horses running on treadmills to create the feel of a chariot race! Then stop by the Neel Reid Garden Center, 730 College St., 478-742-0921, where you'll find a 1907 mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens and landscaping. If you enjoy the history found in old cemeteries, you need
to visit Rose Hill Cemetery, 1091 Riverside Dr., 478-751-9119.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this cemetery
features terraced hills that slope down to the banks of the Ocmulgee
River. On the grounds you'll find the final resting places of
Duane Alman and Berry Oakley of the Alman Brothers Band, along
with some 600 Confederate and Union soldiers' in Confederate
Square. |