a splash through the historic heartland
june 2013
sunrise at cuscowilla on lake oconee
as a writer and traveler, the world is my oyster. but, how many times do you forget the pearls that are right in your own backyard.
about a twenty minute drive from my home near athens, georgia, i find myself in the heart of georgia, its historic heartland which also happens to be dotted with two of the best lakes in georgia - oconee and sinclair. i've traveled 'through' this area many times on the way to another destination, but i failed to stop and take a look. here are some great spots that need attention, for in that attention, you'll discover the 'heart' of georgia.
milledgeville/lake sinclair
andalusia: writer flannery o'connor was a voice before her time. although born in savannah, she spent her last years at her home in milledgeville. she said, "whenever i'm asked why southern writers particularly have a penchant for writing about freaks, i say it is because we are still able to recognize one." and so she did - the misfit, the grandmother, and lucynell for starters. all very unique and shameless. my favorites, "a good man is hard to find" and "the life you save may be your own." take an afternoon to read her works and then visit her home. visitors see her love of domestic birds. peafowl, chickens, ducks, geese, swans, guineas, and pheasants. if you're lucky, you'll see the lone remaining peacock spread its feathers; however, you will definitely hear it before you see it. highway 441. open monday, tuesday and thursday -saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. free. donation.
sallie ellis davis house: the daughter of a prominent merchant and an african american mother's, sallie ellis was claimed by her father who provided for her an education at atlanta university. she returned to milledgeville and started her teaching career. half of the home was a boarding house for students who wished to learn but could not travel the distances for school. 120 south clarke street, milledgeville. tuesday through saturday, 10 a.m. t0 4 p.m. and appointments. $3.00
old governor's mansion: c. 1807. prior to the occupation of the mansion by general sherman, governor joseph e. brown ordered the evacuation of the building's furniture, draperies and even food from the gardens. this work was conducted by pardoned prisoners from across the street at what now is the main campus of georgia college. the governor actually sat in the dining room eating his vegetables as the furnishings were being carried out. 201 east greene street. tuesday to saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. sunday, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. tours begin on the hour. click here for a virtual tour of the mansion.
greensboro / lake oconee
downtown greensboro: greensboro was founded in 1786 by nathanael greene. the town, touched by king cotton, the civil war, the boll weevil and the great depression has bounced back with a new vitality and a community passionate about its heritage and future. with a variety of antique shops, eateries and boutiques, it's the perfect spot to find a local artisan treasure.
festival hall: if you're visiting during a community theatre performance, you can't miss the electricity at festival hall, the downtown performing arts venue. chick here to find its upcoming schedule.
old greene county gaol (jail): it's the oldest standing masonry jail in georgia. it has a european look with a downstairs fashioned like catacomb cells. the gaol was used in the county until 1895. the gallows and trap door are still as they were. behind the courthouse. tours coordinated by chamber of commerce, 706.453.7592.
madison
heritage hall: built in 1811, this jewel of an antebellum home, is preserved by the historical society as a reflection of when cotton was king.
277 south main street. monday - saturday. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. donation.
downtown madison: known as the town that sherman refused to burn, madison is a gem of antebellum architecture, endless antique shopping, small town business owners and cultural possibilities. annual events include the spring and fall tour of homes, the chilli cook-off, and the sunflower farm festival in nearby rutledge. www.madisonga.com
southern cross guest ranch: named as "one of america's best dude ranches" by travel + leisure magazine, southern cross offers activities and accommodations sure to bring out the rancher in everyone. www.southcross.com.
about a twenty minute drive from my home near athens, georgia, i find myself in the heart of georgia, its historic heartland which also happens to be dotted with two of the best lakes in georgia - oconee and sinclair. i've traveled 'through' this area many times on the way to another destination, but i failed to stop and take a look. here are some great spots that need attention, for in that attention, you'll discover the 'heart' of georgia.
milledgeville/lake sinclair
andalusia: writer flannery o'connor was a voice before her time. although born in savannah, she spent her last years at her home in milledgeville. she said, "whenever i'm asked why southern writers particularly have a penchant for writing about freaks, i say it is because we are still able to recognize one." and so she did - the misfit, the grandmother, and lucynell for starters. all very unique and shameless. my favorites, "a good man is hard to find" and "the life you save may be your own." take an afternoon to read her works and then visit her home. visitors see her love of domestic birds. peafowl, chickens, ducks, geese, swans, guineas, and pheasants. if you're lucky, you'll see the lone remaining peacock spread its feathers; however, you will definitely hear it before you see it. highway 441. open monday, tuesday and thursday -saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. free. donation.
sallie ellis davis house: the daughter of a prominent merchant and an african american mother's, sallie ellis was claimed by her father who provided for her an education at atlanta university. she returned to milledgeville and started her teaching career. half of the home was a boarding house for students who wished to learn but could not travel the distances for school. 120 south clarke street, milledgeville. tuesday through saturday, 10 a.m. t0 4 p.m. and appointments. $3.00
old governor's mansion: c. 1807. prior to the occupation of the mansion by general sherman, governor joseph e. brown ordered the evacuation of the building's furniture, draperies and even food from the gardens. this work was conducted by pardoned prisoners from across the street at what now is the main campus of georgia college. the governor actually sat in the dining room eating his vegetables as the furnishings were being carried out. 201 east greene street. tuesday to saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. sunday, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. tours begin on the hour. click here for a virtual tour of the mansion.
greensboro / lake oconee
downtown greensboro: greensboro was founded in 1786 by nathanael greene. the town, touched by king cotton, the civil war, the boll weevil and the great depression has bounced back with a new vitality and a community passionate about its heritage and future. with a variety of antique shops, eateries and boutiques, it's the perfect spot to find a local artisan treasure.
festival hall: if you're visiting during a community theatre performance, you can't miss the electricity at festival hall, the downtown performing arts venue. chick here to find its upcoming schedule.
old greene county gaol (jail): it's the oldest standing masonry jail in georgia. it has a european look with a downstairs fashioned like catacomb cells. the gaol was used in the county until 1895. the gallows and trap door are still as they were. behind the courthouse. tours coordinated by chamber of commerce, 706.453.7592.
madison
heritage hall: built in 1811, this jewel of an antebellum home, is preserved by the historical society as a reflection of when cotton was king.
277 south main street. monday - saturday. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. donation.
downtown madison: known as the town that sherman refused to burn, madison is a gem of antebellum architecture, endless antique shopping, small town business owners and cultural possibilities. annual events include the spring and fall tour of homes, the chilli cook-off, and the sunflower farm festival in nearby rutledge. www.madisonga.com
southern cross guest ranch: named as "one of america's best dude ranches" by travel + leisure magazine, southern cross offers activities and accommodations sure to bring out the rancher in everyone. www.southcross.com.
andalusia in milledgeville
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old governor's mansion in milledgeville
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the bedroom of flannery o'connor at andalusia, milledgeville
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the classroom at the sallie ellis davis house in milledgeville
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calling cards left inside the front door of the old governor's mansion, milledgeville
the governor's desk inside the old governor's mansion in milledgeville
the children's room in the old governor's mansion.
in downtown greensboro, an artist shares with visitors the lore of her town
one of my favorite stops in greesboro was on main street at the herald journal office. a newspaper that still smells and sounds like the offices of yesteryear. editor carey williams (left) shares stories of his brush with greatness while the cat strolls over stacks of current issues. a perfect portrayal of a journalist who believes in stuffed mailboxes and newspaper clippings covering every inch of the wall rather than computer screens and ipads.
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where to stay
cuscowilla: for the golfers and for those that want wide open spaces. no traffic with the exception of golf carts, my idea of getting away from it all. golf cottages, lake villas and lodge villas (thick pine boards from foot to ceiling) come complete with a breathtaking view of the lake or the golf course. click here for full reservation information. don't forget to experience the waterside restaurant and executive chef gerald schmidt. his charisma is only exceeded by his artistry of local cuisine. a recipe sampling below.
wednesday - sunday. 5p.m. - 9:30 p.m. ritz carlton lodge, reynolds plantation, on lake oconee: with 30 acres of shoreline, the ritz carlton is the perfect family getaway destination. this summer, enjoy jet skiing, fishing, segway tours, swimming, boating, yolo boarding and wakeboarding plus world class dining at georgia's bistro and gaby's by the lake. this summer, music floats through the pines with the swinging sunday concert series. kids can enjoy a summer camp atmosphere at ritz kids camp and ritz nights out. for mom, a full-service spa including the southern sweet tea wrap and key lime vanilla age-defying facial drives all the cares away. the only thing bad about the ritz - is that you have to eventually leave. click here for more information. where to eat
the potted geranium [greensboro]: it's the south's version of london's high tea. put your cell phone aside for a lunch or afternoon of bliss, accompanied by black, green and white teas. full lunch or light lunch available with an assortment of desserts. reservations recommended and walk-ins welcome. try the currant scones and take some mix home. 201 west greene street. wednesday - saturday. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
fresh salsa
enjoy the freshness of summer with this recipe
courtesy of cuscowilla's executive chef gerald schmidt 4 each large tomatoes, ripe, chopped fine 1/2 cup sweet onion, chopped fine 1/4 cup scallions, white and green, sliced thin 1/2 cup green pepper, chopped fine 1 tablespoon garlic, minced fine 1 bunch cilantro leaves, removed and chopped 1 each jalapeno pepper, minced fine 1 teaspoon oregano, chopped the juice of 4 limes salt and pepper to taste combine all ingredients. adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. chill and serve. when to go
FARMeader [madison]: click here for a map of all the farms located in madison and morgan county. this provides website information, event information and location of all farms. a great family adventure.
town and country holiday tour [madison]: december 5-8. tour the sprawling antebellum mansion throughout the city of madison. www.madisonga.org chili cook-off [madison]: early october |
