Discover Barnesville: Carriage Tradition, Art, and History

Barnesville combines an unusual carriage tradition with historic architecture, art, and special events. At its height, the town was known as the “Buggy Capital of the South” and manufactured carriages for presidents. Today, historic buildings, guided tours, galleries, and local traditions invite you to discover Barnesville at different paces. When choosing your vacation rental, you can therefore decide what to focus on during your trip: local history, art, an active community experience, or a festival.

Carriage Tradition and Special Events

The history of carriages shapes Barnesville’s identity. Buggy Days, an annual festival in Barnesville, offers a lively connection to this tradition. Peaches to the Beaches is also held every year. This tradition extends for more than 200 miles along Highway 341 from Barnesville to the Georgia coast. Both events have their own character and can give a trip a festive or regionally distinctive setting.

There is also a special option for visitors who would like to combine their stay with a more active experience. The Gordon State Challenge Course includes high and low elements and gives the community an opportunity to develop leadership and teamwork skills. The facility is associated with intensive learning experiences and a unique adventure. Reservations must be arranged at least four weeks in advance through the Continuing & Professional Education Office. If you would like to include this experience in your plans, coordinating the date early is therefore part of preparing for the trip.

Historic Center and Barnesville Walking Tour

The Barnesville Commercial Historic District is a historic central business district with commercial buildings, warehouses, institutional buildings, depots, and a church. In addition, the Barnesville Walking Tour offers insights into Victorian homes, charming shops, and picturesque residential neighborhoods. Some of the houses along the tour date back to the 19th century. Particularly illustrative is a house built in 1870 at the corner of Thomaston Street and Rose Avenue. It was built by the daughter of Barnesville founder Gideon Barnes.

In the town center, you will also find numerous murals, antique shops, and stores. Those who enjoy combining different interests can pair these impressions with a look at the distinctive individual buildings. Listed on the National Register, the Barnesville Depot is a brick building in the Mission style. Its characteristic features include a tiled roof, widely projecting eaves, a curved gable, and large angle brackets.

Art, Libraries, and Local History

The Carnegie Library of Barnesville was built in the Georgian style and designed by Whitfield & King. It is significant in the areas of education, architecture, and social history on the National Register. The restored 1910 Carnegie Library houses Cara Studios. There, vibrant paintings, poetry, artifacts, and a sculpture garden are on display. By appointment, Cara Studios offers historical tours and garden tours.

More art can be found in the historic Barnesville Depot. In March 2004, Lamar Arts became the building’s sole occupant; it houses an art center and a gallery. Lamar Arts generally presents new exhibitions every two months. Theater productions by Gordon State College take place in the Fine Arts Auditorium and add another type of event to the cultural offerings.

The Old Jail Museum & Archives also provides a focus on history. It is located in the former Lamar County jail, which was completed in 1938 as a WPA structure. The Old Jail Museum & Archives serves as a museum and as a resource for genealogical research. When planning your trip, you can therefore decide whether you are more interested in architecture, art, family history, or the development of the town.

Getting There and Finding the Right Accommodation

Barnesville is a short, approximately 15-minute drive west of Interstate 75. This approximate travel information helps you place the town geographically without committing your stay to a specific route. When looking for a vacation rental in Barnesville, you can then choose according to whether you primarily want to experience historic tours, exhibitions, events, or the carriage tradition. Accommodation in Barnesville thus provides a base for a trip whose character you determine through the experiences you select.

For the broader travel overview: Lamar County.