Pike County: Photography, History, and Landscapes

Pike County can be explored through a range of interests: in September, SlowExposures brings photography together with historic exhibition buildings; in Concord, a walking track along an old railway line and a tree-shaded garden offer different impressions. There is also the Scenic Byway near Molena and the produce from Gregg Farms. If you are traveling with family, use this selection to decide whether culture, activity, a drive, or local produce should be the focus of your trip.

Photography and Architectural History

Since 2003, artists and photography enthusiasts from across the United States have come to Pike County every September for SlowExposures. The festival displays their work in late-19th-century buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Photography and historic architecture are therefore part of the same exhibition experience. For specific travel dates, it is a good idea to check the festival schedule.

The county’s architectural history also offers several specific dates. The Pike County Courthouse in Zebulon was built in 1895 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It features elements of the Romanesque Revival and Colonial Revival styles. The Zebulon Mercantile Building was built as early as 1826 by Samuel Mitchell. The Old Zebulon High School, now called the Chandler Building, dates from the 1890s. In Concord stands The R.F. Strickland Company, a building from 1907. These dates bring different building periods to life, so you do not have to limit yourself to a single historic building.

The Pike Pathways history tour app offers another way to explore the area. It includes 20 sites that tell the story of the county’s cultural heritage. If photography and architectural history are of particular interest to you, these attractions can form the cultural focus of your trip.

Trails, Garden, and Water

In Concord, the walking track follows a historic railway line. This scenic walking route runs from the eastern edge of town to the west side of downtown. This gives you a clear idea of its route without presuming a walking time or level of difficulty. The Thomas Nelson Memorial Garden is reached by a path lined with stepping stones and shaded by trees. If you plan to visit the track or garden, check the city’s current information beforehand.

The Meriwether-Pike County Scenic Byway offers a different kind of landscape experience. You can explore the 55-mile route on a drive through Molena. Still Branch Reservoir is in Pike County on Georgia Highway 18, five miles south of Concord. Its water surface covers 500 acres within an 850-acre site. For trip planning, these offer distinct options: a walking route in Concord, a drive through Molena, and a reservoir with specific size details.

Local Produce and Aviation

Gregg Farms offers peaches, seasonal vegetables, and other fruit. The peach stand also serves homemade peach ice cream. The seasonal vegetables are worth noting for your plans: the selection includes more than just peaches, with changing produce and other fruit as well.

The Peach State Aerodrome in Williamson offers another, very different perspective. It has a 2,850-foot grass runway, and the Flying Club offers ground school and flight instruction. If this offering affects your plans, check the current availability of instruction beforehand.

Choosing the Right Location for Your Vacation Rental

When searching for a vacation rental, first consider which experiences you want to shape your stay: historic buildings and photography, trails and a garden, a drive along the Scenic Byway, or local produce. The place names mentioned here offer specific reference points. Zebulon is associated with the courthouse, Concord with the walking track and garden, Molena with a drive along the byway, and Williamson with the aerodrome. Base your choice of location on the focus that matters for your plans, then check whether a specific listing is a good fit.

Discover more destinations: Baldwin County, Towns County, Pulaski County, Macon County, Paulding County, Greene, Fayette.

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