I recently visited the Town of Cartersville, GA and came across a number of important sites…read morehighlighting African-American History. I was pleased to discover my 2nd Bench By The Road after recently (and quite accidentally) finding my first one on Hilton Head Island inside Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park. SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS SITE To commemorate the role of African-Americans in building the historic W&A railroad and the Carterville Train Depot. Starting in the 1840's, enslaved men, women, and children toiled in the construction of the railroad and the depot. After the Civil War, African-American convict lease laborers repaired and expanded the tracks. During the GREAT MIGRATION, these same railroads provided the first steps to freedom for blacks in Cartersville who were seeking a better way of life in the north and the west. Throughout the South, rail lines and the train depots that facilitated their use are important sites of memory in African-American history, as they document the labor of those who were enslaved and the pathways of freedom & return for their descendants. [quoted from plaque below bench] *** The Bench by the Road Project is a memorial history and community outreach initiative of the Toni Morrison Society. The Project was launched on February 18, 2006, on the occasion of Toni Morrison's 75th Birthday. The name "Bench by the Road" is taken from Morrison's remarks in a 1989 interview with World Magazine where she spoke of the absences of historical markers that help remember the lives of Africans who were enslaved and of how her fifth novel, Beloved, served this symbolic role: "There is no place you or I can go, to think about or not think about, to summon the presences of, or recollect the absences of slaves . . . There is no suitable memorial, or plaque, or wreath, or wall, or park, or skyscraper lobby. There's no 300-foot tower, there's no small bench by the road. There is not even a tree scored, an initial that I can visit or you can visit in Charleston or Savannah or New York or Providence or better still on the banks of the Mississippi. And because such a place doesn't exist . . . the book had to". Because the Toni Morrison Society wanted to be a place where scholars and readers could, through their engagement with Morrison's novels, remember not only slavery but also many of the forgotten moments in African American history, the Society chose, when it was founded in 1993, "A Bench by the Road" as its motto. The Bench by the Road Project extends the Society's mission. While there have been several notable African American history and slavery museums built since 1989, as well as a number of outstanding state and federal initiatives honoring the stories of the African American past, the goal of the Bench by the Road Project is to address the lament that Toni Morrison expressed in her interview by placing Benches and plaques at sites commemorating significant moments, individuals, and locations within the history of the African Diaspora. [quoted from TMS website] *** OTHER BENCH SITES 1st - African Slave Trade Point of Entry Sullivan's Island, SC 2nd - Site on Underground Railroad Oberlin, OH 3rd - Mississippi Freedom School Hattiesburg, MS 4th - The 20th Arrondissement Paris, France 5th - In Memory of Caesar Robbins Concord, MA 6th - Lisner Theater, GW University Washington, D.C. 7th - First Congregational Church Atlanta, GA 8th - Freedom Park Mitchellville, SC 9th - Walden Woods Lincoln, MA 10th - In Honor of Aime Cesaire Fort-de-France, Martinique 11th - Eden Cemetery Collingdale, PA 12th - Margaret Walker Center, JS University Jackson, MS 13th & 14th Bench Placements Middletown, DE 15th - In honor of Cynthia Hesdra Nyack, NY 16th - Hosanna A.U.M.P. Church Lincoln University, PA 17th - Baton Rouge Bus Boycott Baton Rouge, LA 18th - Inquirers Book Club - Woodruff Library Atlanta, GA 19th - Cozad-Bates House Cleveland, OH 20th - Schomburg Center for Research on Black Culture Harlem, NYC 21st - Library of Congress Washington, DC 22nd - Site on Underground Railroad Adrian, MI 23rd - South View Cemetery Atlanta, GA 24th - Home of Frederick Douglass New Bedford, MA 25th - Howard University Washington, DC 26th - Lincoln University Pennsylvania 27th - Cartersville Train Depot Cartersville, GA *** Morrison passed away 8/5/19 at the age of 88. She was the first African-American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. The idea and thought behind the Bench by the Road Project touched my heart and I look forward to seeing where they will place future benches and subsequently learn of the story behind the placement. 2021 / 10 Black History Series

This is an interesting park that you can find at the foot of the Allatoona Lake damn on the Etowah…read moreriver. It's also the on the edge of the former town of Etowah and the home of Cooper's Furnace - a huge truncated-pyramid of stacked, mortared stone originally used to smelt iron ore. The furnace is still standing but now cordoned off - also, while it's apparent that visitors could at one time get closer to the Allatoona Damn, on this day the road and access to that part of the park was blocked-off with no trespassing signs (it's unclear if on other days the area is accessible or not, we visited on the day after Thanksgiving). The area is lush with vegetation and includes a pavilion, play-area with one of those crazy jungle gyms, bathrooms, fixed barbecue boxes and picnic tables. It's a surprisingly large park that's only open for day visits so no camping. It's also a bit weird to access - you get off of i85 South of the park then travel first West, then North to get under the highway. Next you travel a road alongside the Etowah river to get to the park itself with is East of i85. Once in the park make sure you checkout the trails and overlook - we were just scoping it out and plan a return to walk the trails - on this day we weren't in the right shoes or clothing. It's apparently a pretty good fishing spot too so make use you bring your pole.

A cool spot owned by the US Army. There were people there back packing, camping, flying kites,…read morewalking with their pets, playing on the playground, and cooking out. It's something for everyone. Out kids enjoyed the park and wanted to play on the playground. We would have let them but there were tons of gnats in swarms everywhere. Also the playground equipment was super dirty. There is an old iron works as soon as you enter the park but it's fenced off to prevent people from going all the way over to it.

1 star solely because the ticket purchasing process is the most painful, user UNfriendly experience…read moreeverrrrrrr. Multiple people can have the same seats in their basket at once. If that happens, you essentially have to start over. You can only see one level of seating; to see the other you must backtrack and select a new section. You must purchase multiple seats in separate transactions - a "software glitch outside their control." All the eyerolls. A first year web designer could build a more intuitive, user friendly website.

Cute old school theater in downtown Cartersville. Nice intimate venue in a cool, old town. Enjoy…read morethe downtown area...

You know there has been several deaths contribute to fentanyl! One thing about Cartersville Police…read moredepartment they're very nice people but when you call to try to whistle blow on something you have to go through so many channels! And then when you get someone on the phone to try to explain to them they're so hateful and mean! So I'm seeing the reasons why people never say anything when it's going on! Because they clearly don't care when they don't have time to listen when you call to say something silent to save people's lives they're so hateful and mean and don't even want to listen to you and one hung the phone up on me and two weeks later a boy died from that same place that I tried to tell them about now I see the reasons why people never reported anything and that makes police officer's jobs hard! So great job Police department epic failure to listen.

Folks i n Cartersville might want to look at Sheriff Grady…read moreJudds Facebook site, Polk County, Fl

There is a very good reason you see five stars throughout the review section for the Booth. One…read morething for sure. You will likely be overwhelmed by the beauty and scope of this museum. The WEST comes alive here in a way you've never experienced. You'll want to come back again and again!

This museum is a hidden gem. My lovely bride and I have visited several times, and we're always…read moreimpressed with their collection and special exhibits - one on Andy Warhol's art works with a western theme, another on Georgia O'Keeffe's life in Abiquiu and the Ghost Ranch in New Mexico. We like the Booth's collection of modern art. The museum staff is pleasant and very knowledgeable. Highly highly recommended!

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.

As a family of 4 with 3 & 8 year old we wanted to visit this museum since it was close to Tellus…read moremuseum. Also as part of the Bank of America Museum on Us program, we were able to get adults tickets for free but we still paid for kids. The whole museum with vintage cars to see it live in person it was wonderful. The have car brands from Chevy corvette, Buick, ford, Pontiac, Ferrari and Dodge. The cars are in pristine condition and it was wonderful to see how the cars have evolved. Another tip when visiting, there is no extension poles for the cameras is allowed and the staff were kind enough to use it for our 360 camera in the lowest position. The whole visit we are able to finish within 2-3 hours(with kids) :-)

Great place to visit in Cartersville, Georgia if you are near. Great selection of cars that rotated…read moreeach month. Great and friendly staff will help you through the journey.