The staff is very nice but they are way overworked. They try to go above and beyond for the vets…read morewho come in for the different programs they offer.

ENGINE. ENGINE NUMBER 9 GOING DOWN THE GEORGIA LINE:…read more Engine 209 sits at the corner of Jesse Jewell Parkway and West Academy Street is which is considered a part of Historic Gainesville. It was originally built for the czar of Russia, but the order was canceled because of the 1917 Russian Revolution, It then became a part of the Midland line in Gainesville. The last steam locomotive ran from Athens to Gainesville on Sept. 19, 1959. Most of the Gainesville Midland locomotives have been preserved in museums or in communities, such as the Engine 209 Park that features the engine, a coal car and a red caboose with benches on West Academy Street. The park is part of the Adopt-A-Park program through the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce. It is a cute little park to visit and especially nice for "little train lovers" because you can get up close and take great pictures.

This marker on the main square in Gainesville points out the history of the first private mint in…read morethe United States that dates back to the earliest post-Revolutionary days. It is easily legible. There is plenty of parking on and off the square. The marker reads, "Two hundred yards west, on the north side of Washington Street is the site of the first private mint in the United States to manufacture gold coins in dollar values. During the Georgia gold rush, trade suffered due to a shortage of sound money. There were few coins in circulation and most business was by barter. Templeton Reid (ca. 1787-1851), Milledgeville silversmith and expert machinist, saw an answer to the problem. He decided to buy raw gold, refine it and stamp coins of proven value, acceptable in any transaction. In 1830 he came to Gainesville, Georgia and opened an assay office. With machines and dies of his design and make he began to strike coins of $2.50, $5.00, and $10.00 denominations. Although questioned by many, this was legal under the U.S. Constitution. The business was not profitable and closed in 1831. The Reid gold coins minted in Gainesville are extremely rare and are eagerly sought by collectors." This is marker number HCHS-2 and it was erected in 1979 by the Hall County Historical Society. [Review 21132 overall - 703 in Georgia - 95 of 2024.]

Although I knew its exact location, I nearly drove right past it! It looks more like a shed in the…read morewoods than a bridge since the surrounding area is overgrown with brush and the creek is not immediately noticeable from the road. ~~~~~~~~~~ Please note this bridge is on private property, a little factoid I didn't discover until after my visit. Glad I didn't get shot! ~~~~~~~~~~ The bridge itself was actually in very good condition. While preparing to write this review I discovered an article about the bridge on GainesvilleTimes.com that said students from the local high school took part in a restoration project around 2007. The bridge was restored to look like the oldest historic picture they could find of the bridge. Other online pictures appear to show the bridge covered in cedar shingles and looking rather unattractive. The current look is far more appealing and in line with ALL the other covered historic bridges in the state. The students participation won them 2nd place for Future Business Leaders of America in their county... pretty awesome! The article also states there were plans in the works that included making the bridge public for all to enjoy. A portion of land was to be donated by the two properties that are divided by the creek just below the bridge. Problems arose when the county commissioner changed and support for the project seemingly dried up. ---------- HAUNTED The bridge is also said to be haunted by a blind women by the name of Suzie who used to make moonshine, rock out on her porch, and sell her goods (on occasion) by this bridge. It has been argued this is the wrong bridge, but someone thought it would be good to attach the name of Blind Suzie to this bridge as a ghost story and it seems to have stuck. Get the full details of the article about this bridge here: http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/archives/24836/ ---------- BRIDGE FACTS * Also known as Hyder Bridge and Lula Covered Bridge. * Closed to vehicular Traffic in 1969 when it was bypassed * Originally built in 1915 about a mile upriver and was relocated. * Only remaining authentic historic covered bridge in Banks County. * Shortest of the remaining Georgia Covered bridges. * TOTAL LENGTH: 34' long * TRUSS: single-span modified Kingpost truss (the only covered bridge remaining in Georgia with this truss system). ---------- FINAL THOUGHTS Whether Blind Suzie actually haunts this bridge or not, it is a valuable surviving piece of history that I hope doesn't get caught up on silly bureaucracy that results in its demise. This bridge is officially 100 years old and deserves to be preserved for 100 years more for future generations to remember and enjoy. I hope they do eventually make this bridge accessible to the public. I would think this could be a project the entire state would get behind and take pride in like Indiana and Ohio, two fine examples of states who have made restoring their historic bridges a priority. Each has created driving tours and festivals celebrating their bridges that are enjoyed by locals statewide and bridge lovers from all over... like me. Seems to me it would be a no brainer that this sort of tourism would add valuable dollars to the local economies... just sayin'

One of the best history centers I've visited. Worth a visit!!! So well done! Log cabin on site is…read morereally neat too.

Everyone was so friendly! We went for family day after the fun snow the day before. It was a cold…read moreday, but still many people showed up. We got lucky abs the museum was open and free too. Normally there is an admission fee. Family day is the second Sunday of every month. My kids did a scavenger hunt, went through the exhibits, outside to the cabins, watched the live gun show, and enjoyed the family activities in the hall. The staff dressed up and were so fun and nice. My daughter enjoyed the lady who taught them a dance. We loved dressing up in clothes from the colonal times. Plenty of seating at their outdoor amphitheater. Exhibits have many interactive stations for kids. Our visit superceded my expectations. They have their own parking lot as well. Btw, I wasn't sure if they would be open because of the snow, so I sent a message on Instagram, not expecting a reply the day, but I got a reply in less than five minutes. I was over the moon. I was so hesitant to drive the hour while uncertain if they were going to be open or not, so that was a huge relief when I got a response! That's great representation!

This train station is located outside of Atlanta. This station is basic. It has a waiting room…read morehowever there is no bathroom at this location. No Ticket Office No Checked Baggage Service No Baggage Assistance No Baggage Carts No Wi-Fi Very small parking lot Basically you are just there to either get on or get off the train.

We went for a three year olds birthday party. The party space was large and set up great for…read morecake/pizza. There's a fridge and sink in the room. The kids loved venturing out into all of the different areas and playing. It kept them busy the whole time. Truly interactive and enjoyable. We have a 6 month old baby and she crawled around in their small play space for the smaller babies. I will say it did say to remove shoes but lots of bigger kids were just running wild through this space with their shoes on and it was a bit much so we didn't stay playing in there long for fear our little would get trampled. Nice to have an area for babies in theory, but without someone running the area it's just not being respected which again is more on the parents supervision (or lack there of). Overall a good experience and we could come back.

Small, poorly cared for, everything is so worn and dirty, and still very expensive for what it it…read more My grandsons do enjoy it on a rainy day, but even they find an hour here to be enough. I know they're planning to relocate. Perhaps they will put more effort into the care and cleanliness.