Located about 2 hours East of Atlanta and a stone’s throw away from Athens, Georgia, Elbert County is full of historical sites. Whether you are teaching your kids about the revolutionary war or are a seasoned historian looking for a fun outing, we have the perfect options for you.
Here are our top 5 picks of historical sites in Elbert County:
1) Nancy Hart's Cabin
Best for all ages
Discover the birthplace of Revolutionary War heroine: Nancy Hart. Famous for protecting her land and outsmarting Tory soldiers (more than once!), the story of Nancy Hart is inspiring to all. A local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) reconstructed Nancy’s home so that generations of visitors could learn about her life and get an idea of what living in the 1700/1800’s really looked like. Nancy Hart’s Cabin is open to the public during daylight hours. It is free to visit. To learn more about Nancy Hart and to visit her cabin, click here.
2) Dan Tucker's Grave
Best for outdoor lovers
On a narrow peninsula of land protruding out in Lake Russell lies the grave of Ol’ Dan Tucker. Old Dan Tucker is a famous song that started off as a folk melody and gradually rose to international popularity via the Andy Griffith Show and Bruce Springsteen. The graveyard featuring Mr. Tucker’s grave is a bit of a journey. A long gravel road leads to a parking lot and trailhead. The trailhead is clearly marked by a granite memorial detailing information about Dan Tucker. The trail is several hundred feet long and deadends at Dan’s graveyard circa 1800. Perfect for families and the adventurous, visiting Dan Tucker’s grave is a perfect blend of outdoor time and a history lesson. The graveyard is open during daylight hours only. It is free to visit. For more information click here.
3) The Georgia Guidestones
Best for modern history buffs
The Georgia Guidestones. For those of you who might not be as interested in Revolutionary history, we recommend the Georgia Guidestones. Erected in 1981, the Guidestones are newer but still hold a historical mystery. No one knows who commissioned this giant monument, often called America’s Stonehenge, or the group the man worked with. The stones are inscribed with a cryptic message claiming to be ‘a guide to an age of reason’. Visit the monument, start a conversation, and come up with your own theories! The monument is open during daylight hours and is free to visit. For more information, click here.
4) Petersburg, Georgia
Best for living history fans
On the banks where the Savannah River and Broad River meet used to be the third-largest city in Georgia: Petersburg. This once bustling river city is now entirely submerged under the waters of Clark’s Hill Lake (although you can still see the foundations of buildings when the lake is low). The city may be gone, but its legacy lives on. Exhibits at Bobby Brown Park (the closest place to the original city) showcase artifacts from Petersburg as well as information about the settlement. Visit in November and you’re in for a treat. The Petersburg Rendezvous is an annual festival that brings history to life. The second weekend in November, come enjoy historic reenactments, primitive demonstrations, and lively discussion. For more information about Petersburg and the Annual Petersburg Rendezvous, click here.
5) Historical Home Tours
Best for architecture lovers
Enjoy history from the comfort of your car! Downtown Elberton boasts three streets full of historical homes. Whether you decide to walk the tour or drive, you’ll sure to love the eclectic mix of historic homes ranging from farmhouses to antebellum mansions. Heard Street, Church Street, and South McIntosh Street are all renowned for their historic homes- many of which have been beautifully restored and maintained. For architecture and history fiends out there, we recommend stopping by the Elbert County Public Library on Heard Street. Not only does the library feature a wealth of genealogy and ancestry information, but it also has a wonderful publication on the history of local architecture. Click here to view all the home tours.
As always, we welcome you to stop by the Elberton Welcome Center located at 148 College Avenue. We are open Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm and will be happy to help you plan your perfect Elbert trip!