Uncover 7 Hidden Gems in Morgan County, Georgia
With a wealth of cultural attractions, shopping, dining, outdoor adventure and more, it’s easy to fill up a vacation getaway exploring Madison’s most popular sites and enveloping yourself in its downtown charm. But whether you’re a first-time visitor hoping to discover something off the beaten path or a return visitor seeking something new, Madison and Morgan County offer plenty of hidden gems to enjoy.
Here’s the scoop to uncover seven hidden gems!
1. Discover “The Bridge to Nowhere” and a Hidden Waterfall
Imagine hiking through the woods and coming across a hidden waterfall with a bridge to, seemingly, nowhere. Well, at Hard Labor Creek State Park that is a reality.
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built Hard Labor Creek State Park with original plans to create a National Park out of the area’s thousands of acres of overworked and eroding farmland. This sizable project included reforestation efforts and the creation of roads, two lakes and Camp Daniel Morgan.
During the 1930s, the CCC planned to connect Knox Chapel Road to Old Mill Road with a bridge crossing over Rocky Creek. Their vision included a visitor’s center near the bridge – where The Creek Golf Course is now.
However, by the late 1930s the country’s economy was recovering from the Great Depression, and the CCC struggled to gain new recruits.
The bridge was finally completed in 1941 with the date inscribed on each corner, but the work on the connection to Old Mill Road from the bridge was abandoned as the United States entered World War II; a visitor’s center was never created.
As a result, the bridge is now known as “The Bridge to Nowhere.” But for those seeking a peaceful retreat, they may find there is nowhere they would rather be than enjoying the uncrowded quiet of this abandoned bridge by its rushing waterfall.
2. Enjoy the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art
Taking a scenic drive past the rolling green pastures and grazing farm animals of rural Buckhead will lead visitors to this hidden gem – the exceptional Steffen Thomas Museum of Art. A single artist museum, the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art serves as lasting tribute to the work of one Atlanta’s most esteemed and prolific artists.
Born in Furth, Germany in 1906, attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich and attained “Master” status at the age of 21. He relocated to America, making Atlanta his home by 1930. Among his notable works are the monumental statue of Governor Eugene Talmadge for the Georgia State Capitol and the Alabama Memorial at Vicksburg National Military Park. Known as an Expressionist artist, Thomas exhibited a profound mastery of various mediums and techniques, embracing his curiosity to explore diverse artistic styles.
While honoring the legacy of Steffen Thomas’ life work, the museum also curates temporary exhibitions spotlighting both emerging and professional artists. These exhibits highlight artists whose careers and works share the same love and passion for the arts as Steffen Thomas, fostering a vibrant and inclusive artistic community. Additionally, the museum hosts a variety of engaging events, including workshops, artist forums, competitions and more.
3. Explore the Morgan County Archives
Tucked just behind the courthouse, lies the Morgan County Archives. Can you guess some of the history of this building erected in 1892? Before its days of storing Morgan County’s written history, the building served as the county jail! The bars are still on the windows as proof.
Today the Archives are open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. for visitors to dig deeper into family histories and thumb through vast stores of public records. Here visitors will find 19th and early 20th century deeds and land titles, marriage records, family histories, burial locations, details of Morgan County history, and many other such records to explore.
4. Embark on the Meander’s School Route
The scenic roads through farmland, parks and beloved small towns make Morgan County a favored location for cycling enthusiasts.
To make discovering the many sites to be seen easy, the Madison-Morgan Meander offers multiple routes for cyclists to explore according to technical difficulty or sightseeing interest. A favorite is the School Route, which highlights buildings and homes that were once used as centers of education. Along this route, the Apalachee Schoolhouse is a hidden gem just several miles outside of Madison.
As the Historical Marker for this schoolhouse states:
The name Apalachee is derived from the Indian Tribe that was part of the Creek Confederation, though there is no evidence that this tribe had ever settled in this area. The town of Apalachee was incorporated by the Georgia Legislature in 1907. However, this community has roots that are much older. The area around Apalachee was settled prior to 1820 and is considered to be one of the oldest communities in Morgan County.
Pretty cool, huh? So, if you are “meandering” on by, why not check it out?
5. Play at Indian Creek Park
Indian Creek Park features an 18-hole competition disc golf course near the “Small but Special” town of Rutledge. The pine trees and hilly terrain make this course challenging and a favorite among disc golf competitors.
A great place to spend an afternoon, this 60-acre wooded park also includes a gazebo for picnics and a playground for the kids. Visitors also enjoy strolling along one of the two walking trails to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature.
6. Visit Rutledge Hardware
In the heart of downtown Rutledge is our next hidden gem. Take a step back in time and visit Rutledge Hardware.
In continuous operation since 1891, Rutledge Hardware supplies Rutledge and the surrounding area with tools, seeds and household items in a storefront that has not changed much since its opening. With its original rolling ladders and shelves lined with gadgets and gizmos galore, a visit to Rutledge Hardware will be an experience in itself.
7. Stay at an Alpaca Farm
Have you ever stayed on a working alpaca farm? Want to?
Enjoy a truly unique and immersive rural retreat with a stay on Crafdal Farm’s working alpaca farm. Home to 25 alpacas as well as horses, goats and donkeys, Crafdal Farms sprawls across 50 acres to give guests plenty of space to escape into the rural life.
Truly disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with the peace of nature as you spend the night in a cozy, rustic cabin overlooking gardens and a pond. Embrace the simple life with the cabin’s refreshing lack of modern conveniences, as there is no indoor plumbing, no air conditioning, no internet access, and it instead offers the chance to step back in time with an outhouse and invigorating outdoor shower.
Curious about other farm, or even safari, stays in Madison and Morgan County? Find a full list here, and enjoy exploring these hidden gems in Morgan County, Georgia.