HISTORY

Thomasville is steeped in wonderful history. Take a walk on the beautiful historic bricks in downtown, and you’ll be walking on bricks that were hand laid in 1907. A little stroll will allow you to view an assortment of charming Victorian storefronts, homes, and museums located throughout the city. If you want to dive deeper to hear some behind-the-scenes stories, then you need to take a tour, and there are several to choose from.

Day One: Make your reservation at a historic plantation like South Eden Plantation, which is a luxury resort. The guest rooms have all the amenities you could desire, and the building and grounds provide a beautiful backdrop to make some vacation photos to brag about.

Wake up refreshed and ready to explore! Book a walking tour with Mike Bozeman of Thomasville Tours, he’ll guide you through some historic neighborhoods sharing stories of the past, while pointing out some of the homes’ most attractive and interesting architectural features.

Break for lunch at the oldest restaurant in the state of Georgia - The Plaza, in downtown. While you’re there, be sure to explore the historic downtown area. As you stroll the streets, look for the many historic plaques located on the storefronts. All are listed on the National Historic Register. The Thomasville Visitors Guide and the Visit Thomasville app have some short histories of several of these buildings.

Can’t get enough of Thomasville’s fascinating history? Then you need to head over to the Thomasville History Center for a guided tour, and the complete story from the very beginning. The museum also houses eight historic structures, including the second oldest private bowling alley! Once you finish up, take a short walk across the street for a guided tour of the odd and quirky, Lapham Patterson House built in 1885! This home is a monument to the imagination, creative engineering, and craftsmanship of the Victorian era. You’ll never tour another house like the Lapham!

Time to finish off your day with a photo in front of the Big Oak. This beauty is over 335 years old and counting! There’s a camera located across the street from the Big Oak that will take your photo for you. You can then download the photo to share and save.

If you’re ready for dinner at another historic location, the old train depot houses one of Thomasville’s favorite restaurants. SASS offers delicious southern fare with some creole favorites as well. The SASS sisters learned to cook with “Aunt” Paula (Paula Deen that is) and they know their way around the kitchen.

Day Two: Time to see the grander side of life in Thomasville with a tour of Pebble Hill Plantation. See what life was like on a 20th century sporting plantation, complete with stables, house tours and grounds that you can wander at your leisure. Plan about 2 ½ hours at a minimum so that you’re not rushed. You don’t want to miss the sporting art collection on the second floor!

One of Pebble Hill’s biggest fans, Jack Hadley, actually grew up on the plantation. See history through his eyes, and the history and achievements of other African Americans, through the thousands of artifacts documenting the struggles and achievements of African Americans both locally and globally at the Jack Hadley Black History Museum.

Have a fascination with aviation? The Power of the Past Aviation Museum is for you! This museum houses a collection of antique airplanes and airplane memorabilia, and is open on the weekend, or by appointment only.

Time for lunch at another Thomasville local favorite. George and Louie’s has been around for years, offering everything from seafood to hamburgers! Eat indoors or out if the weather permits.

Wrap up your historical jaunt with a self-guided tour of Thomasville’s historic cemeteries. Two historic cemeteries can be found less than a mile from the heart of downtown: the Old Magnolia Cemetery, and the simply named Old Cemetery. Some of Thomasville’s founders are buried here, as well as the final burial location for Lt. Henry O. Flipper, the first black graduate of West Point Military Academy.

Finish out your wonderful day with drinks and dinner at Mom & Dad’s Italian Restaurant. The made from scratch pasta dishes will make you think you’re dining in Southern Italy.