If you're a Civil War history lover you absolutely can't miss this amazing battlefield remnant…read moretucked away in a quiet Georgia corner less than an hour from the Kennesaw Battlefield National Park. If you're vising the Etowah Indian Mounds, the battlefield is 15 minutes away so you should definitely lump the two sites together. This historic site is a stop on Georgia's Civil War History Trail but you can definitely tell it's a bit uncared for by the state - which is a shame. I'll be honest-I'd never heard of this particular battle until visiting the site, but the gravity of what happened on these grounds hits you like a ton of bricks as you read the historical markers and signs throughout the site. Lasting only 5 hours, this battle had one of the highest casualty rates of the Civil War - surpassing even that of Gettysburg. Today, the earthworks and trenches are well preserved, and interpretive signs tell the battle's bloody story. You can climb up a set of stairs and follow a short trail to reach the top of the Star Fort and gaze upon the massive forts that separated Union and Confederate soldiers. There is no admission to enter the park and it's grounds are open from dawn until dusk. *As an interesting side note - as you look at images of what the battlefield looked like during the Civil War you'll notice an image of an old two-story farm house to the left of the site. After looking at the historic sign and gazing around at its modern day match I quickly realized the house is still standing! My mom, sister, and myself happened to notice someone in the yard and took the chance to go over and inquire if in fact it was the SAME house. Lo and behold it was the current home owner and it's one and the same. The Union soldiers used the home as their headquarters during their time occupying the area. After the battle, the home served as a hospital for both Union and Confederate soldiers alike and it was for this reason the home was not burned when Union soldiers vacated the area. Talking to her provided so much supplemental info on the battle that truly enhanced our visit. Don't miss this site during your visits to the area!

This is a memorial field for the different armies that fought in the confederate war. It is at the…read moreedge of Lake Allatoona with several small trails through the woods that take you down to a creek, but not much of a hiking spot at all. It is a pretty spot, though, for sitting and watching the boats come in and out of the dock.

This historical marker commemorates the site of a famous hotel in the area around the time of Civil…read morewar named The Lacey Hotel named after George and Edna Lacey. The hotel became famous because of Mrs. Lacey's cooking.....of course history remembers this hotel as the site Sherman used as military headquarter during the Battle of Kennesaw.... The exact location is not certain even though apparently there are many theories.... The marker in located in front of the Kennesaw Veterans Memorial Park off of North Main Street in downtown historical Kennesaw.... The marker reads: Eastward across R. R. stood the 2-story frame hotel, leased by George M. Lacy in 1859 -- an eating house for passengers on the State-owned railway until June 9, 1864, at which time the Federal forces occupied Big Shanty. April 12, 1862, the Andrews Raiders [USA] seized the locomotive "General" while train crew & passengers were breakfasting at the hotel. Fortified by a stockade, it housed a Federal garrison from June 9 to Oct. 3, 1864, when it was recaptured by Confederate forces. Reoccupied by Federal troops it was maintained as a R. R. blockhouse until abandoned & burned by them, Nov. 14.

This historical marker commemorates and tells the story of how a steam train engine was stolen by…read morethe Union spies attempting to sabotage the confederate rail network... This marker is located near the sidewalk in front of the Southern Museum of Civil War off of South Main Street and Cherokee St in Kennesaw, Ga. The Marker reads as the following This is the original locomotive made famous by its participation in the Andrews Raid of April 12, 1862. It was stolen by the Northern raiders who tried unsuccessfully to wreck the Confederate supply line between Atlanta, Ga., and Chattanooga, Tenn., and recovered by the Southern crew after an 86-mile chase that has been the subject of books and motion pictures. This incident, called the most dramatic episode of the Civil War, led to awards of the first Congressional Medals of Honor to the men who stole the General. The locomotive, built in 1855 for the Western & Atlantic Railroad, was restored by the Louisville & Nashville Railroad in 1961 to make a series of tours under its own power commemorating the Civil War Centennial.

Euharlee (pronounced You-Harley) Creek Covered Bridge is so much more than just an old bridge. It…read moreis also a village of historic buildings and the ruins of a forgotten mill. It is the BLACK HISTORY of not only the bridge, but the surrounding area that drove me to revisit. [ THE BRIDGE ] Built in 1886 by Washington King, the son of Horace King, a slave who earned his freedom by building covered bridges throughout the south. Euharlee remains one of the oldest surviving wooden covered bridges in the state of Georgia and has a length of 138 feet. North of the bridge are the ruins of a Grist Mill built in 1835. [ THE MUSEUM ] Since my 2014 visit, they have acquired an old school building and expanded the bridge and other historic buildings to include a Museum. It was here I met the Curator and her assistant, whose veteran husband, David Ford, has direct family ties to the local history and is featured in the museums displays. I called prior to my arrival, so they were expecting me. I say this affectionately, but the ladies of the museum held me hostage! I had no idea the wealth of information they were ready to share and had not properly allotted time, especially since a good portion of my day was consumed at the Bartow County History Museum and the long drive to Bartow itself. We covered a lot of ground in a short time frame and often they would stop and ask me if it was too much information. They were fully aware that I might be getting overwhelmed, but sweetly and courteously asked for my pardon because COVID-19 had not brought them many visitors and they were beyond excited to have me. I simply can't tell you how amazing each of the sites I visited in the Cartersville-Bartow area made me feel. SPECIAL is a gross understatement. One new feature I was unaware of was the temporary path through the BLACK PIONEERS CEMETERY, which was used to bury slaves prior to the Civil War and local African-American residents after the Civil War. They are hoping to raise enough funds to properly construct with gravel, sitting benches, a re-creation of tombstones and more informational signs. This is a project I hope to volunteer to be a part of considering landscape design is a specific skill I possess. I would LOVE to contribute to preserving the history here, albeit quite a distance from my home. [ OTHER FEATURES ] * A Traveler's Well that was hand dug by settlers. * The 1800's Calaboose or mini-jail to house the occasional criminal. The building still has its original iron bars. * Militia Courthouse to keep law and order. * Masonic Hall that is still in use (construction date unknown) * Baptist Church originally designed with separate entrances for men and women. * 1853 Presbyterian Church * Blacksmith Shop (Late 1800's) * 1860's General Store & Mercantile (burned in 1887 and reconstructed). * 1860's Commissary now used as a Community Center. * 1860's Granary * 1850's Cow Shed * The house of the grist mill operators. * Milam Bridge is a camel-back steel truss bridge that was burned in 1864 during the Civil War. Rebuilt in 1912 and remained in service until the 1970's. [Source: City of Euharlee historic brochure] [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] Sadly, the black cemetery was almost forgotten by the 1990's, but an investigation discovered over 333 known burials. Of those only three individuals have been identified. Het Powell (a former slave), her daughter Ada and a man named Jim Scott. Records show Het was married when enslaved and had four children. Her son, Lee, was sold to a different slaveowner and Het never saw him again. The one acre plot dates back to 1830. Settled in the 1840's as Burge's Mill until being incorporated in 1852 as Euharleeville before its final name change in 1870 to Euharlee (which is Native American meaning she laughs as she runs). Excellent place to learn a little history and see relics dating before the Civil War. The bridge is open to foot traffic and is anchored by two parks: Osborne Park and Frankie Harris Park. 2021 / 32 #BlackHISTORYseries

Always treats their Customers with respect and kindness. Your very safe and the staff know exactly…read morehow to handle the situation

It was built in 1820 and has a pretty interesting history that you can read about on the sign…read more Very cool bridge that makes for a great photo opportunity. I've seen people do engagement shoots, family photos, etc on the bridge as well as over on the rocks. We have not done photos here we just come here to explore the area and let the kiddos run out some of their energy. They like to run back and forth on the bridge and play on the rocks as well as explore the playground.

This park is a little off of the beaten path. It is really scenic and worth the effort to get to…read more I went on a day that was a dreary, but the upside was that nobody else was there. The rain also made the little falls rush a little bit more dramatically. The main attraction is the now covered with graffiti bridge. Historical and full of vibe. The trails are not that long but if you go all the way around you will be able to get some cardio. I think that you could sit and get some inspiration here, if your that type of person. I would recommend checking this place out at least once.

One of the benefits of traveling is the cool little things that you can stumble across that if you…read moreweren't in that town, you would never have known even existed. I was out taking a walk in twenty-eight degree weather this morning, trying to get some walk in before my business meeting, and came across this old schoolhouse with such a historical importance. The house is from 1858, think about it, this house was here when the Civil War was ravaging our great nation. This house was here as our country built from a loose confederation of states, it seen our country attempt to split, and also witnessed this country turn from those loose collection of states into the great fifty states that we now know. I have always embraced history. It has always fascinated me the past footsteps that led us to where we stand today. This house is a testimony to the history of our country.

The Cross of Christ We Adore has been looking upon Lake Acworth since Easter of 1974. It is…read morecomforting as well as something that fits this community. The crossfits respectfully in a corner by the Veterans Memorial, also fitting.

This historical marker located off of N Main Street and Cherokee Street NW in Downtown Historical…read moreKennesaw. It's by the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History which houses the famous locomotive the General.... The marker reads as the following: After the wide flanking movement W. & S. of Allatoona Mtns., Sherman's forces regained the State R. R., at Acworth, June 6, 1864. June 9. Minty's & Wilder's brigades, Garrard's Cav., with Bennett's section, Chicago Board of Trade Battery, moved S. from Acworth. At Morgan's Hill, they encountered Martin's div. of Wheeler's cav. & Benton's brigade. Hood's A.C. Benton & Martin withdrew S. E. to Johnston's 1st defensive line on the Kennesaw Mtn. front. Big Shanty was occupied & Sherman maintained h'dqr's. here, June 10-24. The 17th A. C. joined McPherson's forces at Acworth, June 6.