Guidebook Macon, Georgia
Location/Region: Georgia's Historic
Heartland
Geographical Description: Macon is located in the heart
of Georgia, 80 miles south of Atlanta at the junction of I-75
and I-16.
Climate: Mild year round
Population: 150,000 |
Around Town Tours |
Area History: The area's first inhabitants
were Native Americans living here about 10,000 years ago according to
archaeological evidence found at Ocmulgee National Monument. DeSoto
visited the area in 1504, as did noted naturalist William Bartram. In
1806, a frontier fort was established, around which NewTown developed.
Once Indian territory west of the Ocmulgee River was ceded, the city of
Macon was laid out and founded as a city of wealth and culture. In
1836, Wesleyan College was founded in Macon - the first college in the
world chartered specifically for granting degrees to women. The Civil
War left Macon unscathed as volunteer troops twice defended the city,
leaving dozens of magnificent antebellum mansions intact.
Cultural info: Macon's rich heritage,
multicultural diversity and four institutions of higher learning have
bestowed a legacy of the Arts here. Community theatre thrives,
beautiful historic theaters offer live performances and a Broadway
series, and college & university performances, several arts education
programs and festivals and a general community love of the arts keep
Macon culturally vibrant. Museums dedicated to the Arts & Sciences,
Georgia Music, African American art, history & culture, Georgia Sports,
the Civil War and Macon's history are numerous. Religion is also
important to our culture, with every major church or denomination
represented in more than 500 houses of worship throughout the city.
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Current info: Macon is governed by both city
and county bodies, headed by a Mayor & Council and a Chairman and
County Commission. City population is about 90,000 with combined
city/county population of about 150,000. Eleven districts have been
recognized and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places,
including Pleasant Hill, one of the nation's first recognized historic
African American neighborhoods. In 2004, the National Trust for
Historic Preservation named Macon one of its Dozen Distinctive
Destinations, with National Trust President Richard Moe saying:
"...all travelers who want a unique vacation experience full of history,
scenery, music, food and great Southern hospitality should put Macon at
the top of their must-see list."
What to see and do:
Lights on Macon, Self Guided Illumination Tour
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Around Town Tours: Discounted packaged tours are
available with Trolley transportation six days a week, offering up
to 25% savings off general admissions.
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Georgia Music Hall of Fame: an indoor Georgia
town, complete with Gospel Chapel, Rock & Roll Record Store, Country
Cafe, Rhythm & Blues Review and more bring Georgia music greats up
close and personal through interactive exhibits, fabulous displays
and best of all the music. Ray Charles, the Allman Brothers, REM,
Lena Horne, Trisha Yearwood, Jessye Norman, Otis Redding, Little
Richard, Brenda Lee, the B-52s, TLC, Amy Grant and many others are
represented.
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Hay House: "The Palace of the South" has been
featured on A&E's America's Castles and is Macon's premier house
museum. A National Historic Landmark, the house was built with
indoor plumbing, an elevator and intercom system in 1859. Fantastic
architectural details like trompe l'oeill and gold leafing combine
with elegant furnishings and a fascinating history.
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Ocmulgee National Monument: Miles of nature
trails along the river and through ancient Indian mounds transport
visitors through 10,000 years of history just across the river from
Downtown Macon. The continent's only reconstructed 1,000 year old
earth lodge offers visitors the opportunity to go inside to see
where ancient Americans met. A fine museum and fascinating film
round out the visit.
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Tubman African American Museum: Dedicated to
sharing African American art, history and culture, this jewel is
preparing to move into a brand new (under construction) 45,000 sq.
ft. building in 2005. The museum's centerpiece is a 63 ft. long
mural documenting life "From Africa to America" including key events
and people from ancient Africans to today's leaders and heroes.
Among its many galleries two favorites are the inventor's gallery
and hands-on African instrument music area.
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Georgia Sports Hall of Fame: Great athletes and
athletic events are chronicled here, from golfing legend Bobby Jones
to home-run hitter Hank Aaron, the 1996 Olympics and Paralympics and
even the infamous Tyson-Holyfield "bite fight." Kids of all ages
love shooting hoops, kicking field goals and driving the NASCAR
simulator.
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Macon's International Cherry Blossom Festival -
Annually, Mid-March. With more than 275,000 Yoshino cherry trees,
Macon is the official Cherry Blossom Capital of the World!
This 10-day festival celebrates the trees, Macon's international
hospitality and the community spirit of the family responsible for
spreading their love of the beautiful trees citywide.
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Georgia Music Week - Annually, Mid-September.
Celebrate the state's rich music heritage with concerts, special
tours and lots of free outdoor Music in downtown Macon during this
annual treat.
Tips on visiting: for the most current
information, contact the Macon Convention & Visitors Bureau before you
travel. A professional staff of information specialists will assist
with your planning, touring, dining, shopping and overnight
accommodations. Upon arrival, stop in at one of two visitors centers:
traveling south on I-75, stop just north of the city; once in town,
stop at the downtown center located at the foot of Cherry Street.
Third Street Park in Bloom
State/Area Trivia and Interesting or Little Known
Facts:
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Macon native and Goodwill
Ambassodor for Tourism Little Richard , the self-proclaimed
Architect of Rock & Roll, sang the dishwasher's blues at Macon's bus
station as a teenager, long before he sang Tutti Frutti for the
world.
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Macon is one of the only cities
in Georgia to grow out of a real frontier fort. Visitors can see a
replica of Fort Hawkins' 1806 blockhouse on Emery Highway near the
Macon Centreplex.
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Wesleyan College in Macon was
the first college in the world chartered specifically for the
purpose of granting degrees to women. The world's first two secret
societies for women were founded there and are today the sororities
of Alpha Delta Pi and Phi Mu.
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Before "Sittin' on the Dock of
the Bay," the late Otis Redding, Jr. was discovered in the Saturday
talent shows at Macon's historic Douglass Theatre. His family still
lives here; his sons work in the music industry and his widow and
daughter own a successful upscale shoe boutique in downtown Macon.
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Macon has more cherry blossoms
than any other city in the world, including Washington, D.C. and
cities in Japan. It was proclaimed the Cherry Blossom Capital of
the World by the Japanese Consul General.
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Macon's only architectural
casualty during the Civil War was the Cannonball House, a Greek
Revival style mansion into which a Union cannonball crashed in 1864.
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People have been meeting in
Macon for centuries! Ocmulgee National Monument's earthlodge is one
of the earliest public buildings in North America dating back 1000
years. The entire site predates man.
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Visitors to Macon have something
free to do every night with Lights On Macon, a self-guided tour of
the Historic Intown Neighborhood. The only tour of its type in
North America, the route features more than 30 architectural gems,
each dramatically illuminated to highlight its antebellum beauty.
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Macon's Luther Williams Field is
the third oldest municipal baseball park in the nation.
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Macon's City Auditorium boasts
the largest copper covered dome in the world.
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Pete Rose once played
professional baseball for the Macon Peaches at historic Luther
Williams Field.
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The character of Big Daddy in
Tennessee Williams' "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" was based on the
patriarch of a Macon family with whom Williams spent time during his
early writing years.
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"Southern Rock" was born in
Macon at Capricorn Records - The Allman Brothers Band, Marshall
Tucker Band, Wet Willie and Lynyrd Skynyrd all recorded there.
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Former Allman Brothers Band
member Chuck Leavell, who now tours with the Rolling Stones and
has recorded with the likes of Eric Clapton & Blues Traveler, is a
nationally recognized tree farmer in Dry Branch, near Macon.
Information and photos submitted
by:
Macon-Bibb County Convention & Visitors Bureau
200 Cherry St.
Macon, GA 31201
800-768-3401 or 478-743-3401 |
Website
Compiled by the Macon-Bibb Co.
Convention & Visitors Bureau
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