Cedartown, Georgia, is a charming town in Northwest Georgia just outside Rome. It was established in 1854. The name “Cedartown” was chosen because of the plentiful amount of red cedar trees growing in the area.
Exploring Cedartown is a perfect day trip if you love small towns. It is rich in history and natural wonder. It is also home to the famous Sterling Holloway, the beloved actor who was the voice of Disney’s Winnie The Pooh.
The Cedartown Welcome Center and Museum is an excellent place to start your visit to Cedartown. The current building was built in 2004 and is a replica of the original Seaboard Railroad Passenger Depot that was initially built in 1911. In addition to serving as Cedatrown’s Welcome Center, it serves as a “rest stop” for people traveling the Silver Comet Trail that runs through the downtown area. Inside the center, you will find a gift shop, museum, and restrooms. It also has memorabilia from Sterling Holloway’s childhood home.
One thing I noticed was how it was decorated. Everywhere I looked, something caught my eye. The theming was perfect, from the replicated wagon and crates to the clock made from an old Rail Road light fixture. It took you back to the days of standing on a Rail Road platform waiting for a train.
Downtown Cedartown is registered on the National Register of Historic Places. The downtown buildings on Main Street and the surrounding areas were designed in “1890”, also referred to as Victorian-style architecture.
The downtown area of Cedartown is doing a fabulous job of preserving the past and telling its history. In 1991, Cedartown started the Main Street Program, which encouraged the downtown area owners to improve and restore their properties.
While walking down Main Street, I saw this area on a corner with benches, checkerboard tables, and information boards that tell the local history. Every downtown Main Street area needs something like this, a creative way to make the downtown area inviting and educational.
Across the street, you will find the Cedartown Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia. My parents are avid Coca-Cola collectors, and anything Coca-Cola interests me. This museum does not disappoint. It has a lovely collection of memorabilia.
Just off Main Street is The West Cinema Theater. It was built in 1941 and was designed in Art Deco Style Architecture. The theater is still in use today. It is truly unique to the downtown area.
The Polk County Historical Society Museum is across from the West Cinema Theater. It tells Polk County’s history, including Cedartown, Rockmart, and Aragon. It has an incredible Sterling Holloway Exhibit.
One block over from the Polk County Historical Society Museum is the Sterling Holloway birthplace marker. This remarkable man was very active in Hollywood. You can hear his voice in numerous Disney films, with Dumbo being his first. His most famous, though, will always be Winnie The Pooh. As a kid, I was in love with Winnie the Pooh, so when I found out that the voice of Winnie the Pooh lived just one town over, I was amazed. I have a Winnie The Pooh book containing newspaper clippings of Sterling Holloway articles. I am a Sterling Holloway fan, and I love how Cedartown has preserved his memory in so many ways.
The downtown area is also where you will find Big Spring, the largest natural limestone spring in the South. It is just a few blocks from Main Street in the Historical home district. It has served as the primary water source for Cedartown since it was founded. The waterworks building on the site was built in 1891 and is still in use today.
Beside the spring is a rock picnic area with a fireplace, table, and benches. The types of stones used to build this are seen throughout the downtown area.
There are also three Native Americans carved out of tree stumps by local artist and carver Jeremy Smith. The man’s shoulder has a word written on it in Cherokee. This marks the place where Walthall Indian Trading Post was located. It was where the Cherokee Indians could gather for trade and hold celebrations. This was also the funeral service location for Senator William J Harris in 1932.
The citizens of Cedartown built Peek Forest Park on land once owned by Captain J. A. Peek. It is located outside the downtown area on North College Street and is surrounded by beautiful historic homes. The park has tennis courts, picnic areas, a stone amphitheater, and a playground. It also has a fountain that you can splash in. It is the perfect place to get outdoors and get some exercise. It also is home to the annual Cedar Valley Arts and Crafts Festival held in the spring.
I don’t usually save the best for last, but in this case, I have. The Cedartown Performing Arts Center is outside of the Downtown Area. I have so many memories from the Cedartown Performing Arts Center. It is a larger-than-life venue for the City of Cedartown, where I have watched concerts, plays, and other productions. Growing up, my grandfather played in a gospel music quartet and would perform here. This is different from your average town’s local venue. This building has hosted some of the biggest music, comedy, and entertainment names. It is easily accessed and keeps a full schedule of events. Check out their events calendar HERE! It is a small town venue that draws big-time names.
Cedartown is a delightful small town in North Georgia. It is a great place to visit or to live. It is far removed from the hustle and bustle of big city life. It has a lot to discover, no matter what your interest is.
