Coweta County’s Self-Guided Historic Tours Take Visitors Back to a Bygone Era

Coweta County’s rich heritage dates back nearly 200 years, when the area opened for settlement in 1827 following Georgia’s fifth Land Lottery. Many early residents were successful farmers, merchants, and politicians, and their grand homes and businesses stood as testaments to their prosperity. Today the preservation of these structures—representing a variety of architectural styles ranging from Federal and Gothic Revival to Queen Anne and Victorian—is an integral part of the county’s focus.

The City of Newnan boasts six districts with a National Register of Historic Places designation, and locals and visitors alike can enjoy selfguided tours. The best place to begin is the Downtown Historic District, anchored by the neo-Greek Revival courthouse designed by renowned architect James W. Golucke. This area also includes the Carnegie Library, McRitchie- Hollis Museum, Murray Warehouse Block, Reese Opera House, Virginia House Hotel, and the old train depot. Nearby is Oak Hill Cemetery, the final resting place of many of the city’s most prominent citizens as well as more than 250 Confederate soldiers.

The residential Cole Town Historic District developed around the R.D. Cole Company, a once-prosperous business that produced millwork, machinery, and water towers. Many homes here display ornate railings, decorative pilasters, and intricately carved moldings that reflect the company’s fine architectural woodwork.

The College-Temple Historic District is a classic example of a well-planned neighborhood, with parks, churches, schools, and tree-lined streets. This area features magnificent homes with a wide range of architectural styles as well as the Male Academy, formerly a boys’ college preparatory school that now serves as a children’s museum, and two houses that were part of College Temple, a private school for girls.

In contrast to the intentional layouts of other districts, the Greenville-LaGrange Historic District developed along two major highways and includes both older and newer homes. The antebellum house located at 87 LaGrange Street served as Confederate headquarters during the Battle of Brown’s Mill.

The Newnan Cotton Mill and Mill Village Historic District is representative of early 20th-century Georgia mill communities. The mill, now converted into loft apartments, was once a bustling center of commerce. The adjacent village provided housing for workers.

As its name implies, Platinum Point Historic District is a collection of homes built by some of Newnan’s wealthiest citizens. This district, which showcases a variety of Revival-style architecture, emerged with the prevalence of automobiles as is evidenced by the many outbuildings that were used as garages.

A few miles down the road from Newnan is the tiny town of Senoia, a picturesque community that has served as a backdrop to numerous films and television shows. With its own vast collection of architectural treasures, much of the town comprises a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.

Begin the self-guided tour at the Senoia Welcome Center on Main Street. It includes more than 45 homes and several churches, with structures encompassing such diverse styles as Gabled Ell, Neo-Classical, New South Cottage, Saddlebag, and Victorian Gothic. Particularly noteworthy is the 1906 Greek Revival mansion on Seavy Street that operates as The Veranda Historic Bed & Breakfast Inn. Notable guests here included author Margaret Mitchell, who interviewed Confederate veterans at the inn for her epic novel Gone with the Wind.

Located a short distance from downtown is the Senoia Area Historical Society Museum. Housed in the 1870 Carmichael home at 6 Couch Street, the museum is filled with artifacts that bring to life the story of Senoia and is open on Friday and Saturday afternoons. Walk your way through Senoia’s history when you take part in Senoia Area Historical Society’s Historic Walking Tour. This activity is a self-guided, audio experience priced at $6.99. Download the app and enjoy the 60-90 minute walking tour or stroll through Senoia’s Main Street in between stops for a full day of fun.

A highlight of the holiday season is the Candlelight Tour of Homes, which offers an inside view of the town’s storied past. Sponsored by the Senoia Downtown Development Authority, the tour is held in early December.