Historic Olde Town Conyers
Tourists and Conyers citizens alike are drawn to Olde Town Conyers' charm and history. With a variety of shops and historical sites, the streets of Olde Town have seen Conyers grow from just a stop on the Georgia Railroad, in 1845, to a progressive city with a population of approximately 10,000 citizens in 2000. Conyers got its start when the Georgia Railroad was built to connect Augusta with Marthasville, now known as Atlanta. Dr. W.D. Conyers, a local banker and a director of the railroad, was responsible for acquiring the land which made the railroad connection possible, and his efforts were rewarded when the railroad officials named the watering station, which was where the present depot is, "Conyers Station". The first train stopped in Conyers in 1845 and just nine years later Conyers became incorporated with its city limits forming a circle one mile in diameter around the depot. Click here to learn more at the Conyers history page.
Present day Olde Town remains one of Conyers' greatest assets. The shops, businesses, and restaurants in Olde Town keep the area full of life while preserving its vivid history. The Pavilion is a recent addition to this area and plays host to the Downtown Summer Series as well as private functions. The Olde Town Pavilion, located at 949 North Main Street, is an 80 X 80 square ft. outdoor covered facility available for individuals, groups and corporate functions. Situated in the heart of the Olde Town Conyers business district, the Pavilion is the perfect location for receptions, reunions, weddings, business outings and cultural events. It is adjacent to the beautiful Lewis Vaughn Botanical Garden and offers restroom facilities. In the winter months, the Olde Town Pavilion is transformed into a winter wonderland when it is converted into an ice skating rink! For additional information on reserving the Pavilion, please call the Conyers Welcome Center at (770) 602-2606 or click here to submit your request by email.
Adjacent to the Pavilion is the Lewis Vaughn Botanical Garden. Within its inviting gates, the garden boasts beautiful landscaping, which includes many rare flowers as well as a pond fed by the City's original water tower built in 1900. This garden is the perfect place to escape the busy hustle and bustle of the city, to read a book or just to sit back and enjoy the beauty of nature.
The Conyers Depot is definitely one of the favorite tourist attractions in Olde Town. The Depot was a working station until 1972, when passenger rail service between Atlanta and Augusta was stopped. It now serves as a social gathering place and is maintained by the Rockdale County Historical Society. This Conyers landmark is surely the heart of Conyers.
Alongside the Depot is "The Dinky," a 1905 Rogers Steam Locomotive that ran service between Conyers and the neighboring mill town of Milstead until 1961. The engine was used to haul cotton from the main line to the textile mills. It is one of only three of its kind in the world.
Shopping in Olde Town is truly an experience! Gifts for all ages can be discovered in the shops along Center and Commercial Streets. With stores that specialize in everything from nature to charming bookstores, coffee houses and antique shops, Olde Town has it all. Olde Town's character and history will be preserved for generations to come as part of the unique history and appeal of Conyers.
View a map of Olde Town Conyers.
Georgia International Horse Park
It's easy to see why horse lovers, golfers, mountain bike enthusiasts and festival attendees have such great things to say about their experiences at the Georgia International Horse Park. With state-of-the-art facilities, multi-intensity level trails for bike and horse riding, a regionally renowned on-site caterer, Proof of the Pudding, a friendly and helpful staff and a perfect location just 25 minutes from downtown Atlanta, the Georgia International Horse Park has something for everyone all in one place. It's horses and more, so make your way to the greatest multi-use facility in the South, and you'll see why we call the Georgia International Horse Park a world-class facility, groomed for greatness.
Monastery of the Holy Spirit
Visitors and citizens of diverse religious backgrounds all enjoy the lovely and tranquil Monastery of the Holy Spirit in southern Rockdale County. The church, gift shop, greenhouse, and lake are open for the public to tour. Retreats are also available. The Abbey Store sells monk-made fruitcake, religious articles, and classically crafted Bonsai plants.
March to the Sea Trail
Conyers' rich history includes a role in the Civil War. Major William T. Sherman and his troops passed through Conyers on November 17, 1864, on the way to their March to the Sea. Many properties were destroyed, including the city's rail line and the Conyers Station depot. North of the Conyers Station, the 20th Corps passed old Philadelphia Church on November 16, as they traveled along the old Native American "Hightower Trail." These two historic sites are part of the March to the Sea Historic Driving route of Georgia's Civil War Heritage Trails. For more information, visit www.gcwht.org.
Panola Mountain State Park
Located a short drive south of the Conyers Welcome Center discover Panola Mountain State Park, established in 1971, as Georgia's first conservation park. This 759-acre state park was created to protect a 100-acre granite monadnock and shelters rare plants and animals of the Piedmont region.
Available year-round are two self-guided nature trails or join park staff for a 3.5 mile guided hike to the conservation area Tuesday through Sunday by reservation only. Call (770) 389-7801 to schedule a guided hike.
The Park offers an annual calendar of events along with an interpretative center with live exhibits, including bees, bats, snakes and turtles. There are picnic facilities and four shelters along with a large playground.
Dedicated in 1980 by the National Park Service as a National Natural Landmark, Panola Mountain is the only major granite mountain in this region that remains in an unquarried and natural state.
Big Haynes Creek Nature Center
173 acres of the Georgia International Horse Park have been designated as a nature preserve devoted to the preservation and study of native plants and wildlife. The preserve currently features a 4/10 mile walking trail and in 2008, an additional 2 miles of mulched walking trails and additional canoe launch will be added. A native plant garden and wildflower meadow, an endangered plant species protection area, outdoor teaching theaters, an elevated boardwalk through wetlands, picnic areas and an area for primitive camping are also planned. An interactive learning center is planned, surrounded by trails and gardens.
Covered Wooden Bridge
Haralson Mill Road, formerly an unimproved dirt road on the north side of Rockdale County, is now home to a covered wooden bridge. The bridge is immediately north of the Haralson Mill historic district, which is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The setting is comprised of the Haralson Mill House, a general store, the old mill site and blacksmith shop. The Georgia International Horse Park is located approximately six miles to the southeast of the bridge.
The covered wooden bridge is adjacent to Randy Poynter Lake at Black Shoals Park and Jack Turner Dam. The covered wooden bridge emulates the covered bridge design of the 1820's era Town Lattice Truss design patented by Connecticut architect Ithiel Town. The bridge consists of three, 50-foot spans with solid concrete piers and spill-through abutments which have been encased with a granite veneer. The bridge superstructure was designed to utilize Georgia wood products and labor while still promoting new timber technology. The last covered wooden bridge built on a public road in the state was constructed in the late 1890s. For more information about the covered wooden bridge, please call Rockdale County at (770) 929-4001 or (770) 785-5919.
Randy Poynter Lake at Black Shoals Park
Situated in the heart of historic north Rockdale, off Black Shoals Road, Randy Poynter Lake is a 650-acre impoundment designed to provide water for the county's drinking water needs. A treatment plant is located down stream, on Gees Mill Road, which has enabled Rockdale to eliminate its need to purchase water from neighboring counties.
In addition to drinking water, Randy Poynter Lake provides a number of recreational activities for the citizens of Rockdale and other areas, including fishing, boating, canoeing, picnicking and hiking.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has repeatedly stocked the lake with large mouth bass, assorted bream and catfish species for sport fishing.
Because Randy Poynter Lake is a drinking water reservoir, every precaution must be taken to ensure the water is kept as clean and safe as possible. No gasoline motors of any kind will be permitted on the water and personal docks by lake residents will be prohibited. It has been demonstrated that these practices often degrade water quality, which results in higher treatment costs to the consumer.
Rockdale County has implemented a 150-foot natural undisturbed buffer around the reservoir and restricted all new development to a 3-acre minimum lot size. These additional restrictions will minimize overland pollution into the reservoir and also keep treatment costs low.
Further questions about the reservoir water quality can be addressed to Rockdale Water Resources at (770) 918-6535, and Rockdale County Parks and Recreation can address questions regarding recreational opportunities at (770) 785-5922.
Georgia Veterans Memorial Park
Located in Conyers on the banks of the Randy Poynter Lake in north Rockdale County is the Georgia Veterans Memorial Park. The park is operated by Rockdale County and is dedicated to the sacrifices made by veterans on the battlefield and their families on the home front.
Visitors will reflect upon the unselfish commitments along "Walk of Heroes" (under construction), in a self-guided tour of statues, carvings, quotes, scriptures, plaques and five educational enclaves memorializing the major conflicts of our country in the 20th century. In addition, a museum, amphitheater and gift shop will be constructed at a later date.
Tourism Works for Conyers!
Conyers is an active member of two tourism co-ops in the region including Georgia's Treasures Along I-20 and the Historic Heartland Travel Association. We hope you'll make Conyers one of your stops while visiting the other treasures of communities along Interstate 20 or in the Historic Heartland region!