Historic Adairsville
Luxury Resorts, Artist Studios, Dinner Theater, Pitmaster Champion BBQ, and Civil War History in Historic Adairsville
Listed in its entirety on the National Register of Historic Places, Adairsville offers interesting Victorian architecture, inviting shops, restaurants and B&B inns. Here are just a few of the highlights that attract visitors to Historic Adairsville :
Barnsley Resort
Day visitors to this resort will enjoy enchanting Antebellum gardens and ruins of the 1840’s manor house. The Barnsley Historic District Museum tells the Barnsley family story and details the estate’s role in the Civil War. In addition to garden tours, visitors may enjoy casual and fine dining, championship golf, sporting clays, a relaxing spa day and more.
770-773-7480 or Learn More
Adairsville Depot History Museum & Welcome Center
This museum and welcome center located in the W&A Railroad Depot on Adairsville’s Historic Square offers a glimpse into the town’s fascinating history, which included pivotal roles in the Civil War’s Great Locomotive Chase, Georgia’s early peach and chenille industries, and the development and advancement of the Dixie Highway. Visitors may pick up a self-guided tour brochure with insight on Adairsville most historic homes. The depot is open Tuesday-Saturday 11 AM-3 PM. Admission is free.
770-773-3451 x122 or see AdairsvilleGA.net.
Veterans Memorial Park
A new tribute to all Veterans, complete with picnic pavilion (by reservation) dog park, playgrounds, splash pad, a volleyball net, giant checkerboard, and biking and walking trails. The park is located at 17 Legacy Way, Adairsville.
Sculpture on the Square and Photo Fence
In conjunction with Art in Bartow, the City of Adairsville and Adairsville Downtown Development Authority, and community cultural supporters installed five steel sculptures by Georgia artist J. Doyle Rogers, along with 10 digitally produced photos for public enjoyment.
Public Square Opera House Dinner Theater
Inside the historic 1902 Stock Exchange , this second-floor opera house hosts four historic dinner theater productions annually. Downstairs visitors will enjoy browsing and buying in the antiques emporium and may have a delicious lunch from Maggie Mae’s Tea Room. The 1902 Stock Exchange is open Tuesday-Saturday at 124 Public Square. Call 770-773-1902 for dinner theater details and reservations. 1902 Stock Exchange.
Character’s Famous BBQ
Award-winning BBQ at its finest! Served straight-up with no frills. Fans drive from neighboring states just to eat this BBQ Pitmasters Champion’s food. Find Character’s in a new location on US 41 north of GA 140 – specifically at 6415 Joe Frank Harris Pkwy north. Picnic tables at the Flea Market welcome you to some good eatin’. Hours vary but typically open Wednesday-Friday 11 AM-2 PM and Saturday 11 AM-4 PM. Call ahead 678-481-6701.
Part Time Artist Studio & Gallery
The gallery features paintings and drawings by artist Skip McNutt, whose most noted work is the Great Locomotive Chase mural commissioned through the Adairsville Heritage Foundation and funded by a federal grant. Stop in to learn more from the artist, then step across the street to see the mural on the W&A Rail Depot that depicts Adairsville’s famous role in the chase of Andrews’ Raiders. Part Time Artist is located at 104-A Public Square. Call 770-773-3616 or see PartTimeArtist.com.
Historic Festivals, Events and Recreation
Visit during the first weekend each October for the Great Locomotive Chase Festival . A three-day tradition since 1968, the festival features carnival rides, concerts, and so much more.
Bargain hunters keep the first weekend in June on their calendars to attend the Dixie Highway 90-Mile yard Sale . Adairsville is a prime location on this annual mega-sale situated at the half-way point. Make Adairsville your house base and benefit from great hotel rates and good food.
Additional annual events taking place on Adairsville’s Public Square include monthly Car Cruise In’s March-October, the Adairsville Farmer’s Market each Saturday morning June-August, a Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration, Halloween on the Square, and Christmas on the Square on the first Monday each December.
Annual activities in Historic Logtown include the Spring Clean Up each April, BBQ & Blues each May, the July Cancer Navigator’s Motorcycle Ride, and Community Yard Sale in September.
After you have filled your days with sightseeing, shopping and touring, stop by Manning Mill Park to wet a hook or take a leisurely lakeside stroll on the recreation park’s 1.5 mile illuminated trail. This park is also home to one of Adairsville’s biggest events as Adairsville Celebrates America takes place here on the last Saturday in June.
See this video about the displays at and creation of the Adairsville Depot History Museum
A visit to this “Norman Rockwell” kind of town is a must for anyone who loves history, antiquing and good food! Adairsville, nestled in the Oothcalooga Valley, was the first Georgia town to be listed in its entirety on the National Register of Historic Places (December 1987).
The town’s genesis was as a small village named in honor of Chief John Adair, a Scottish settler who married a Cherokee Indian girl. The railroad which lies at the center of town was central to its development. Land which was owned by William Watts was in the direct path of the Western and Atlantic Railroad’s expansion to Chattanooga.
Watts’ home was built around the foundation of an Indian cabin, high on a hill overlooking the present-day town of Adairsville. He deeded land to the railroad and then surveyed business lots. The depot was completed in 1847 and Adairsville grew quickly as mills, blacksmiths and hotels opened around the town square. The town continued to prosper, becoming known as the “Granary of the State,” and was incorporated in 1854.
The Civil War brought much action to Adairsville, including the Gravel House Battle (May 17, 1864) and the Great Locomotive Chase (April 12, 1862). The Chase is probably the war’s best known escapade, made famous by a Walt Disney movie of the same name. Each fall, the Great Locomotive Chase Festival, a three-day celebration is held in remembrance of the event (first weekend each October).
In the 1940’s the chenille textile industry brought many “spreadline” to Adairsville. Visitors along the Old Dixie Highway will recall peacock chenille spreads blowing in the wind. A good time to visit is the first weekend each June for the 90-Mile Dixie Highway Yard Sale. See Events for more details.
Today, many of the pre-Civil War homes and churches stand alongside fine Victorian examples in the 170-acre historic district. Explore tree-lined streets and marvel at the interesting history shared by residents in the Adairsville Visitor’s Guide brochure. Browse the antique shops and boutiques and stay for lunch or dinner in one of the area’s fine restaurants.
Just 5 miles outside Adairsville is Barnsley Resort. Romanticism envelopes this 1840’s estate. Englishman Godfrey Barnsley patterned his estate after the visions of Andrew Jackson Downing, the architect who designed the grounds of the U.S. Capitol & White House. Surviving is a rare view of the antebellum South where heirloom gardens surround the once grand manor house. Today guests can retreat to luxurious suites in English-village cottages. Top off a restful night with a scrumptious meal at the Woodlands Grill or the Rice House restaurant, treat yourself to a signature spa treatment, and play for par on the challenging Fazio-designed golf course.
Adairsville’s location – exactly 65 miles north of Atlanta and 65 miles south of Chattanooga – makes for a convenient overnight stay here. Four hotels at I-75 Exit 306 offer comfortable accommodations at reasonable prices. RV campers are welcome at the Harvest Moon RV Park and Leisure Time RV Park. See Lodging for details on guest rooms and camp sites.
Other area attractions include discount shopping at Calhoun Premium Outlets, various antique auctions and factory direct savings on tile and home decor.
Be sure to contact us for complete details to plan your visit to Adairsville!
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Chattanooga Railroad Series: Adairsville, Georgia
