Discover Wadley: History and Folk Art

Wadley has a distinctly historical focus: the town brings together a railroad history passed down through the years, Civil War remembrance, a historic downtown, and the folk art of Willie and Mae Tarver. These themes appeal to different interests. A stay can focus on a specific historical event or on local culture. If you’re looking for a vacation rental for your stay, it makes sense to first decide which of these themes you want to shape your time in Wadley.

A Marker Commemorating Civil War History

The historic “The 20th Corps” marker is at the intersection of Calhoun Street and Main Street. It commemorates the destruction by Sherman’s army, on November 29, 1864, of the railroad line that ran through Bethany (Wadley) to the Ogeechee River. The marker also records that Confederate defenders set fire to the railroad and wagon bridges east of Bethany the following morning. The two events took place on consecutive days and involved different actors. The marker was re-erected in 2010.

The Town’s Name and Railroad History

Wadley’s naming history is also connected to the railroad. The town was originally known as “Shakerag.” Wadley owes its current name to the president of the Central of Georgia Railway. The renaming coincided with the town’s designation as an official railroad stop. The town’s name and its designation as a stop thus form a distinct historical story alongside the marker’s commemoration of the Civil War.

Wadley also has a historic, intact downtown and a large number of historic properties. The marker tells of a specific, dated event; the downtown and properties represent the town’s broader historical character. Anyone interested in local history can consider these different perspectives together, rather than reducing Wadley’s past to a single event.

Folk Art and the City Park

Wadley is home to the studio and gallery of folk artists Willie and Mae Tarver. Both are nationally recognized folk artists. This adds a distinct cultural focus to the railroad and Civil War history. If you’d like to include the gallery in your travel plans, check in advance whether it will be open on your visit.

A comprehensive plan from 2004 described the city park as having a ball field, two basketball courts, and two tennis courts. The park facilities at the time also included a swimming pool, various play structures, restrooms, picnic tables, grills, and a picnic pavilion. The amenities then offered opportunities for sports, play, and picnicking. If you’d like to plan to use specific facilities during your visit, check their current condition first.

Wadley’s cultural and historical focus can serve as a starting point when choosing a vacation rental. If local history or folk art is to shape your stay, Wadley is a natural destination to consider; these themes also offer different starting points for planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Gray.

Go to the main travel overview: Jefferson County.