Once upon a time there were hundreds of covered bridges in the state of Georgia. Now there are only…read moreabout 19 remaining and Elder's Mill ranks as one of my top favorites. Not because it is the longest (because it's not), or the oldest (because it's not) or the most well kept... but because the setting surrounding it gives it a little je ne sais quoi some of the others don't have. Here is a list of the remaining covered bridges in Georgia from favorite to least. * AUCHUMPKEE (1892) length: 96' My visual favorite! Most picturesque, especially in the fall. If I could own a covered bridge in GA, I'd pick this one! * EUHARLEE (1886) length: 137.6' My favorite overall Georgia bridge because of the amount of history that comes with your visit. It's more than just a bridge, it's an experience. Also on site is a museum, the ruins of an old mill, a General Store and several other historic buildings, cemeteries and informative monument signs as well as a brewery & pizza place! * HURRICANE SHOALS (2002) length: 127' The ONLY painted covered bridge in GEORGIA! PLUS there is a ton to see and do here! No other location compares for things to do including rubber duck races, blue grass festivals, war reenactments, mini-golf and a village of historic buildings. * ELDER'S MILL (1897) length: 100' See this review * SHILOH (1993) length: 42' Well maintained along a church prayer walking path. * PARRISH MILL (1880) length: 101' Unique in that it's a covered bridge, sawmill, grist, mill, and dam all in one! Located in George L Smith State Park. * HARALSON MILL (1997) length: 150' The only two lane covered bridge in Georgia. It's 36' wide and open to vehicular traffic. * COHEELEE CREEK (1883) length: 120' Entrance is gated off to all traffic but has one of the most attractive creeks! If the bridge and surrounding area were cleaned-up, this might easily be one of the most attractive covered bridges in the south. * WATSON MILL (1885) length: 228.6' Longest covered bridge body and the only one with its own state park. * RED OAK CREEK (1840's) length: 252.5' Longest covered bridge in GA with both approaches included. Featured in the 2012 movie Lawless w/Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy & Jessica Chastain. * STONE MOUNTAIN (1891) length: 151' Was once named Effie's Bridge after a nearby brothel before it was relocated here. Now called Washington W. King bridge. Looks similar to Poole's Mill. GREAT LOCATION! Grist Mill nearby. * ROSWELL MILL (2005) length: 161' Pedestrian traffic only in a beautiful historic setting w/ gorgeous old mill and dam ruins nearby. * POOLES MILL (1901) length: 94.6' The open lattice windows are one of my favorite features. Spend a day here with the kids playing in the water or at the playground. * CONCORD (1883) length: 131.7' Still in use but looks worn out * HOWARD'S MILL (1905) length: 168' Could use some tlc * WEHADKEE CREEK (1890) length: 60' Originally over 100' in length, but was reduced after its first relocation to Calloway Gardens. This is its second relocation (2022) * BLIND SUZIE (1915) length: 34' Smallest and the only one on inaccessible private land. It can, however, be viewed from the road. * STOVALL (1895) length: 36.8' It's a real shame locals keep it covered in graffiti * CROMER'S MILL (1906) length: 132' Looks and feels forgotten

I love that this bridge is open to traffic! It is rated for enough weight that my Sprinter van…read morecould cross and the bridge has enough clearance that I could fit in. The Elder Mill Covered Bridge was built in 1897 by Nathaniel Richardson. It is a Town lattice design with the planks connected with wooden pegs. It is one of the few covered bridges in Georgia continuing to carry traffic without underlying steel beams. It is possible to get to the side of the bridge and get some great pictures. I love this bridge! (Note that some of the approach road is only hard packed dirt. I was okay with it but your vehicle may have issues.) [Review 18057 overall - 532 in Georgia - 1578 of 2022.]

Unexpected to find this name in this place but here it is. It is in the center of Madison, on the…read moresquare with the county courthouse. It has the same text on both sides. It reads, "Oliver Norvell Hardy, of the comedy team Laurel and Hardy, lived in the Turnell-Butler Hotel which once stood on this corner. He was born in Harlem, Georgia, on January 18, 1892. The family was in Madison by that February, and may have moved here earlier. Mrs. Hardy later opened a hotel in Madison named The Hardy House. Oliver began his education at age six at the Madison Grammar School. Mrs. Hardy and her children left Madison in October 1898. Oliver Hardy died in 1957 and is buried in California where a plaque reads: "His Talent Brought Joy and Laughter To All the World."" Hardy was born Norvell Hardy, taking the name Oliver later to honor his father, a Confederate veteran who died less than a year after Hardy's birth. Though he began formal education in Madison, Hardy was restless and drawn to performance. He attended Georgia Military College and later Young Harris College, but his real passion was music. He studied voice in Atlanta and sang in theaters for modest pay, sometimes skipping lessons to perform. Hardy's entry into film began in Jacksonville, Florida, where he worked as a cabaret singer and at the Lubin Manufacturing Company. He was often cast as a villain in silent shorts, and before teaming with Stan Laurel, he had a prolific solo career, appearing in dozens of films under the name Babe Hardy. Hardy married three times: first to Madelyn Saloshin, then Myrtle Reeves, and finally Virginia Lucille Jones, who remained with him until his death in 1957. He is buried at Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood, California This is marker number 104-1. It was erected in 2002 by The Georgia Historical Society and the City of Madison. There is plenty of parking in the area as well as some restaurants and shops. [Review 1311 of 2025 - 851 in Georgia - 24863 overall]

Hiding in plain sight, this marker stands on what was once the public square. The obelisk was…read moreunveiled in 1856 and is one of the oldest public memorials in the city and commemorates Benjamin Braswell, a local figure of significance. Benjamin Braswell (ca. 1749-1817) was an early settler, farmer, and philanthropist in Morgan County. He was part of a widespread family network that settled across upper Georgia after the American Revolution. Though little is known about his early life, records show he participated in the 1805 Georgia Land Lottery and was living in Franklin County at the time. By 1808, he had purchased land in the newly formed Morgan County, where he established a modest plantation focused on corn, wheat, cattle, and hogs as cotton had not yet taken hold in the region. At his death in 1817, Braswell owned more than a dozen enslaved individuals and was remembered as a quiet, generous neighbor. His most enduring contribution came through his will, which left his estate to Morgan County for the care and education of orphans. This act of generosity led to the creation of the Braswell Fund, a public trust that continues to operate today. His reconstructed grave, along with that of his wife Emily, is located in Braswell Park near the Morgan-Walton county line, protected by a wrought iron fence. Located in the heart of Madison's original 1809 town plan, the monument stands on what was once the public square. It predates many of the square's later features and has remained a constant presence through the town's evolution. [Review 1282 of 2025 - 844 in Georgia - 24834 overall]

We drove to the Mule Day Festival at Calloway Plantation on a whim and we had a great time. The…read morehome was open for tours and there were lots of craftspeople demonstrating lost arts from years gone by. This suburban girl really enjoyed seeing the mules too!!

While driving Hwy 78 from Athens, GA to Augusta, Ga I was looking for a tourist stop. My GPS found…read moreme the Callaway Plantation. Has 56 Acres of History. Modest cost of $4.00 with a docent to talk about the history of the plantation. Has picnic grounds available so take your time.

Just off Main Street near the heart of downtown Madison, this historical marker quietly…read morecommemorates the nearby residence of a patriot who once called this area home. Though the marker still stands, it has clearly weathered the years--its surface mottled with moss and in need of some restorative care. The road here is often bustling with traffic, but visitors can find convenient parking in the lot adjacent to the Cultural Center, making it easier to stop and reflect on the legacy preserved in this modest sign It reads, "Joshua Hill, noted Georgian of the Civil War and Reconstruction, was born in 1812 in the Abbeville District, S.C. He studied law and come to Ga. to practice, settling in Madison after living in Monticello for a time. Having strong Whig and Unionist principles, he was drawn into the American or Know-Nothing party when the Whig party in Ga. collapsed and was elected to Congress in 1856, defeating Linton Stephens. An outspoken opponent of secession, Hill resigned his seat in 1861 rather than withdraw with the other members of the Ga. delegation. In 1863 he made an unsuccessful bid for the governorship. "After the war, Hill participated actively in the work of Reconstruction as a member of the constitutional convention of 1865 and as a U.S. Senator. Elected to the Senate in 1868, he qualified in 1871 and served until 1873. Although he entered Republic party and supported Radical Reconstruction, he never lost the respect and admiration of the people of Ga. "When his term ended in 1873, Hill retired from politics, coming out of retirement only to take part in the constitutional convention of 1877. He died in 1891 and is buried in Madison" This is officially designated as marker number 104-1, and it was placed here in 1963 by the Georgia Historical Commission to honor Hill's contributions and preserve his story for future generations. [Review 1299 of 2025 - 847 in Georgia - 24851 overall]

This marker is not far from the town square and points out a time when Georgia was the frontier…read more That's hard to believe, but yes. Here we are at this historic home. The marker reads, "Establishment of Madison was part of a larger movement to settle the Georgia frontier and the westward population shift. The first division of town land created 48 original lots, each measuring 100 by 200 feet. Lots were sold on February 23, 1809, with the average lot sale being $155. Early dwellings and enterprises were modest, frame structures. Lot No. 6 sold for $111 to Reuben Rogers who built a dwelling. Known as an I-House or Piedmont Plain, this type of structure was particularly popular in the Upland South and often built by well established farmers and townsfolk. The Rogers House (c.1810) is significant as the last remaining residence from the period of the town's original founding on its original lot. "Opened for tourism in 1992 and later joined by the Rose Cottage (1893), the house serves as an excellent example of community cooperation: property ownership by Morgan County; leadership and funding for restoration, furnishings, and operation by the City; and management of the museum complex provided by the Morgan County Historical Society." This partnership reflects Madison's enduring commitment to honoring its past--not just through plaques and records, but through the careful stewardship of the very buildings that shaped its identity. The Rogers House stands not only as a historical artifact but as a symbol of civic pride, architectural heritage, and the power of local cooperation. The marker was erected in 2011 by the City of Madison. Unfortunately, I was here well past the time for tours and was unable to see the inside. [Review 1303 of 2025 - 850 in Georgia - 24855 overall]

FEBRUARY is a celebration of BLACK HISTORY, largely because much of it is not included in modern…read moreschoolbooks. So I wanted to feature some of my previous reviews with Black History in the narrative! IF you have never heard of her, let me introduce you to the story of Adeline Rose. Madison, Georgia was considered by Budget Traveler magazine as one of the 16 most beautiful towns in the world in 2012. Part of the reason is because of its historic charm and architecture. There are only a few historic structures you can tour for a small fee and the two I was most interested in were the Rogers House and Adeline Rose Cottage. *** ROSE COTTAGE - This small 3 room home was built in 1891 by Adeline Rose, a hard-working African-American woman who was once a slave. Legend has it that women could not take out loans at a bank and certainly not a black woman. But Adeline Rose was so respected for her arduous work ethic of washing and ironing linens for local homes and hotels that she was granted a $100 loan to help build her modest home. A home that only consisted of two bedrooms and a work area for her laundering business. None of the furnishing inside the home are Adeline's except two pieces, a portrait of her and a quilt she made with her own two hands. You will notice the quilt says, "Jesus Saved" with the second 'S' on Jesus turned backwards. This was to signify how a person's life turns toward Jesus when they become a follower. The brochure states: "She earned her living by taking in washing and ironing at 50 cents a load. Most of her early work was done for the boarders of the Hardy House, which was owned by the mother of the famous comedian Oliver Hardy (of Laurel and Hardy). Adeline Rose died in 1959 after living in the house for 68 years. In 1966, the City of Madison moved the Rose Cottage to its present location. It was felt that it was very important to save this little house built out of the labor of love of a woman who was born into slavery." Adeline is of French origin meaning NOBLE. She was a widow and the mother of two children. She is part of a legacy of men & women who fought against ALL odds to not only survive, but thrive. *** ROGER HOUSE - When Madison was first established, it created 48 original lots with the average lot being sold for around $155. Reuben Rogers purchased lot #6 for $111 and built the house in what was known as an 'I-House' or 'Piedmont' plan style, which was popular in its day. The house was completed around 1810 and stands on its original lot as the last remaining residence from the original 48. The tour begins on the front porch where you will notice the ceiling of the porch is painted a pale blue, a customary practice of its day which was meant to attract insects upwards. Inside is a long hallway with a parlor (or family room) on one side and another identical room on the other side. The home is filled with period furniture, including a sugar chest, where the lady of the house often kept raw sugar cubes under lock and key! It also contained several decorative pieces from China, which were popular decorating choices of the time. Towards the rear were additions most likely added around 1820 when census records showed that 18 people lived in the house (according to the informative brochure). It also states the house pre-dates the Morgan County Courthouse (located just next door) by almost 100 years and has had 17 owners. The rear room is currently set up as a dining room, but was likely once a rear porch. It sits about 4 inches lower than the original home and includes a relocated set of steps that are horribly uneven, but add tremendously to the old charm. Upstairs are two bedrooms. The master was the smaller of the two and had a second bed in a small corner nook which was required to house any soldier that knocked on your door seeking shelter. It was also used for housing a traveling pastor or judge and its placement inside the master bedroom was twofold. One, to keep an eye on this stranger and two to keep the visitor uncomfortable. The bed also looked uncomfortable, but the tour guide said that was by design to encourage the soldiers and other visitors not to overstay their welcome! The children all slept in the larger bedroom. *** * Hours of Operation Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00AM - 4:30PM Sunday: 1:30PM - 4:30PM FINAL THOUGHTS The fact that this community felt it important to save and preserve the story of Adeline Rose alone is worthy of 5 stars. This is, after all, the South! History has not often been kind to African American, but emerging from the wreckage of this disastrous period in human rights are stories like Adeline Rose, letting you know there were pockets of kindness that have not been shared. I for one feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn of the history here. 2021 / 34 #BlackHISTORYseries

The Mary Willis Library ended up being a quiet Sunday‑morning stop for us, and even though the…read moredoors were locked, the exterior alone made it worth pausing. The red brick, the steep Queen Anne roofline, and those tall stained‑glass windows give the building the presence of a small civic cathedral, and the central Tiffany memorial window still manages to glow even when you're viewing it from outside. It's one of those places where the architecture does the talking, and you can feel the pride that went into building it. The historical marker fills in the story and makes the building even more meaningful. "This library was Georgia's first free (without a subscription fee) public library. Founded in 1888 by Dr. Francis T. Willis in memory of his daughter, it opened in 1889. Willis also created an endowment for the library and donated his personal collection of books. Atlanta architect Edmund Lind designed the building in the Queen Anne style and the central memorial window was made by Tiffany Studios. The library operated as a privately-endowed institution until 1967 when it became part of the regional library system. Annexes were added in 1977 and 1991." Even without stepping inside, it's a lovely stop. The stained glass is beautiful, the brickwork photographs well in morning light, and the whole place feels like a reminder of how seriously communities once took the idea of public learning. I'd love to come back on a weekday to see the interior and the rare book collection, but even from the sidewalk, this is a gem. [Review 235 of 2026 - 932 in Georgia - 25424 overall]