GO NO FURTHER THAN COWETA COUNTY FOR A FULL DAY OF FUN!

Written by CAROLINE NICHOLSON

A recent study published by Forbes Magazine reports that although traveling is highly desirable, it is also viewed as inaccessible by a large portion of Americans. Seventy-six percent of survey participants reported a desire to travel more than they do. The two most common reasons listed for their lack of travel were insufficient funds and not enough time to plan and execute a trip.

Contrary to popular belief, though, travel need not mean a faraway journey costing thousands of dollars and requiring long hours on a cramped airplane. Traveling can just as easily mean visiting a destination in your own backyard, a place you’re interested in but have never been to. Coweta County is overflowing with distinctive locations perfect for day trips or afternoon adventures between the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here, we take a peek
at three.

Chattahoochee Bend State Park

425 Bob White Way  |  Newnan

Only a 30-minute drive from downtown Newnan and nestled along a bend in the Chattahoochee River lies the aptly named Chattahoochee Bend State Park, one of Coweta’s hidden gems and one of Georgia’s largest state parks.

Wooded trails along the river boast unique plants and wildlife in a park that spans more than 2,910 acres with four miles of biking trails and 12 miles of hiking trails. For those with a love for the water, there’s boating, fishing and paddling down the river.

With ample areas perfect for informal picnics and covered picnic shelters available to rent for special occasions, the park is ideal for travelers looking for a day trip to connect with nature. However, the park also provides options for those seeking a longer escape. Chattahoochee Bend State Park offers several lodging options, including three cottages for rent as well as different types of camping sites for more adventurous visitors.

For those travelers who prefer a detailed itinerary, Chattahoochee Bend offers a wide array of nature-specific events monthly. These events range from “Chat and Chews” where visitors have an opportunity to learn about local fauna to hikes where travelers can identify trees growing along the river. These events cater to all ages and help make the local park a must-see destination in Coweta County.

Elder′s Mill

1739 Elders Mill Road  |  Senoia

Down a Senoia path darkened by trees – and in a cell phone dead zone – a peaceful lake stretches across eight acres and feeds into a gushing waterfall. The waterfall is the focal point of the land that Joe Stancil and Cyndi Flanagan own. Near the cascades stands the foundation of what used to be Elder’s Mill, a building that received its energy from the powerful waterfall.

It’s unclear when exactly the mill was built, whether in the late 1800s or early 1900s, but the Elder family who established the mill have lived in Coweta County for almost two centuries. In 1827, Howell Elder and his wife Rebecca moved from Clarke County to Coweta onto their expansive 800-acre property. With them, they brought their two sons, William and Sterling, and daughter, Rebecca Jane. 

When Howell Elder died in the mid-1830s, his land was split between his sons. William’s wife had a son in 1871 and named him Sterling James Elder II after his brother. Sterling Elder II inherited 400 acres of the Elder’s land, and the other 400 acres were sold. Rather than staying in Coweta County though, Sterling Elder II moved to Atlanta and ran the mill from afar. After his death in 1957, the mill and acreage around it were sold in order to financially provide for his widow, Madge. Sterling and Madge were the last Elders to own the property, but the family name lives on in Senoia.

In the years since Elder’s Mill was in operation, Hollywood has taken note of the picturesque landscape and descended on Senoia. Since 1994, the waterfall and property at Elder’s Mill has been the setting for at least eight large-scale productions with more planned for the future.

Most notably, portions of the 2012 crime drama “Lawless” were shot at Elder’s Mill. At first glance, it’s easy to think that the two large, crumbling wooden buildings are relics of the property’s rich history. On the contrary, these structures were built for the sole purpose of filming, plus housing actors and production crews during the making of “Lawless,” which starred Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf and Jessica Chastain.

Although set designers built the Blackwater Station set from the ground up, they also incorporated elements from the property’s history and worked to make everything historically accurate, according to Flanagan. For instance, hanging on the walls of what was the bar area in the movie are bags that used to hold cornmeal and other items produced at Elder’s Mill. Plastered on a wall upstairs in a period-accurate fashion are old newspaper clippings from the 1930s and 1940s.

Though the property is certainly a must-see destination thanks to its presence in many films, cinephiles aren’t the only people drawn to visit Elder’s Mill. Both professional and amateur photographers flock to the property as well thanks to its abundance of unique backdrops.

Moving forward, Stancil and Flanagan plan to continue working with producers to share their property on the small and big screen. But they have another big project in the works – a plan to transform Elder’s Mill into an events venue with the capability of hosting weddings and other large gatherings. The pair hope to build a large barn and turn Elder’s Mill into a hub for the Senoia community.

“There’s a tremendous amount of possibilities out here,” says Flanagan.

To see where a favorite movie was filmed, take photos, immerse yourself in local history, or simply enjoy a day unplugged from life’s stresses, Elder’s Mill might be your spot. Stancil and Flanagan offer guided tours and visits by appointment.

Greenville Street Park

51 Greenville Street  |  Newnan

For those looking for an experience not far removed from the amenities of everyday life, look no further than the outskirts of downtown Newnan. Two-acre Greenville Street Park is an ideal location for downtown patrons, employees on their lunch breaks, and visitors attending evening community events.

The park features a tiered amphitheater encircled by 25 columns with a spouting fountain at its center. Visitors can walk along the brick pathways, rest on secluded benches shaded by trees, and admire the park’s two statues. Dotted throughout are picnic tables, excellent for outdoor lunches with family and friends.

Greenville Street Park also serves as a hub for many of Newnan’s community events. Most notably, the park hosts the extremely popular Summer NewnaNights where people gather to listen to live music, enjoy cuisine from food trucks, and shop from local vendors. Thanks to the unique amphitheater design of the park, this is a first-choice venue for local concerts, including Jazz in the Park.

In September 2022, a professional theater company performed Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” in the open-air amphitheater, a flashback in time to when Shakespeare’s plays were performed at a similar amphitheater, the Globe Theatre in London. 

Beyond being a hub for local events, Greenville Street Park is also a tourist destination thanks to the highly popular television series, “The Walking Dead (TWD).” In March 2022, Stalwart Productions began filming the series’ final episode in Greenville Street Park. Since the airing of that episode in late November 2022, the park has become home to fans of the show hoping to see where the end of their favorite TV series was filmed.

Whether you’re a TWD fan or just want to escape the monotony of regular life during your lunch break, consider stopping by Greenville Street Park. NCM