Georgia, the Peach State, is known for its vibrant cities like Atlanta, Savannah, and Augusta, celebrated for their rich culture, thriving music scenes, and Southern hospitality. The state is also renowned for its lush landscapes, from the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains to its sprawling coastline along the Atlantic. But there’s more to Georgia than its urban centers and natural wonders.   The state boasts a storied history, from its pivotal role in the Civil War to its deep African-American heritage and Native American traditions. Scattered across the state, charming small towns preserve this legacy. So, if you want to learn about Georgia’s past in the most authentic way, consider visiting these ten charming historic small towns in the Peach State.   1. Madison Madison town, Georgia. Source: Flickr   Established in 1809, Madison, Georgia, serves as the county seat of Morgan County. The town flourished as a stagecoach stop and an in-town residence for planters’ families.   Madison is renowned for its well-preserved antebellum architecture, with the Madison Historic District being one of the largest in the state. Notable landmarks include Heritage Hall, an exquisite example of Greek Revival architecture built in 1811, and the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center, housed in a Romanesque Revival building from 1895.   You can explore the Rogers House (circa 1809), one of the oldest houses in Madison, and the Rose Cottage, a charming home built by a formerly enslaved woman. The town’s historic cemeteries and the Morgan County African-American Museum offer deeper insights into the area’s rich heritage.   Madison’s picturesque downtown features boutique shops, art galleries, and eateries, all set against a backdrop of historic homes and tree-lined streets.   2. Dahlonega Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site, Dahlonega, Georgia. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Dahlonega became the site of America’s first major gold rush in 1828, attracting thousands of prospectors. The town’s name derives from the Cherokee word “taulonica,” meaning “yellow metal.”   When you visit this charming town in Georgia, you can immerse yourself in its golden heritage at the Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site, housed in the 1836 Lumpkin County Courthouse, the oldest surviving courthouse in Georgia.   For a hands-on experience, the Consolidated Gold Mine offers underground tours and gold panning opportunities, which gives you a glimpse into 19th-century mining life.   Apart from its gold rush legacy, Dahlonega is celebrated as the “Heart of Georgia Wine Country,” featuring multiple vineyards and wineries that showcase the region’s viticultural excellence. The historic downtown square enchants with its preserved architecture, housing art galleries, boutiques, and diverse dining options.   Outdoor enthusiasts can explore nearby attractions like Amicalola Falls State Park, home to Georgia’s tallest waterfall, and the Appalachian Trail, which begins just a short drive away.   3. St. Marys Historic house in St Marys, Georgia. Source: Wikimedia Commons   This iconic town, located on the southern coast of Georgia, was established in 1787 as Buttermilk Bluff. It was later incorporated in 1802.   19th-century architecture is what you’ll see in St. Marys’ historic district, with streets named after its 20 founders. A notable landmark is the Oak Grove Cemetery, founded in 1788.   St. Marys serves as the gateway to Cumberland Island National Seashore, renowned for its unspoiled beaches and wild horses. You can access the island via a ferry departing from the St. Marys Waterfront.   The town also houses the St. Marys Submarine Museum, featuring exhibits on naval history and submarine artifacts. Additionally, the nearby McIntosh Sugarworks, built in the late 1820s, stands as a testament to the region’s industrial past.   4. Milledgeville Former Baldwin County Courthouse, Milledgeville, Georgia. Source: Flickr   Founded in 1803 and named after Governor John Milledge, Milledgeville served as the state’s capital from 1804 to 1868. This planned city features wide streets and public squares, reflecting early 19th-century urban design.   A centerpiece of Milledgeville’s history is the Old Governor’s Mansion, completed in 1839. This Greek Revival structure housed Georgia’s governors until 1868 and now operates as a museum where you can learn about the political past of the state.   The Old State Capitol, built in 1807, is another significant landmark. It was here that Georgia’s secession from the Union was debated and passed in 1861. Today, the building is part of Georgia Military College and includes a museum open to visitors.   Milledgeville’s historic district encompasses over 3,000 acres, featuring antebellum homes and churches that survived the Civil War. Strolling through this area offers a glimpse into the architectural styles of the period.   For literary enthusiasts, Andalusia Farm, the home of author Flannery O’Connor, has been designated a National Historic Landmark. The farm provides a window into the life and work of one of America’s notable writers.   5. Thomasville Tockwotton-Love Place Historic District, Thomasville, Georgia. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Named after Major General Jett Thomas, a War of 1812 hero, Thomasville was established in 1826. It became a prominent winter resort in the late 19th century when it attracted affluent Northerners seeking a mild climate.   The town’s historic downtown is a testament to its rich past, featuring brick-paved streets and Victorian-era architecture. Historic landmarks you’ll love seeing include the Lapham–Patterson House, an 1885 Queen Anne-style residence renowned for its unique design and innovative features.   Thomasville is also home to the Thomasville History Center, which preserves the region’s heritage through exhibits and restored buildings. It provides you with the information you need to learn about the evolution of the town.   A living symbol of the town’s history is the “Big Oak,” a massive live oak tree estimated to be over 300 years old, standing as a natural monument to the area’s enduring legacy.   6. Washington Wilkes County Courthouse, Washington, Georgia. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Georgia’s Washington was founded in 1780. It was the site of the last official meeting of the Confederate government in 1865, marking a significant moment in American history.   Washington boasts over 100 antebellum homes, offering a glimpse into pre-Civil War architecture. Notable among these is the Robert Toombs House, once home to the Confederate general and politician. Another significant site is the Callaway Plantation, which gives you an insight into 19th-century plantation life.   When you visit, make sure to head to the Washington Historical Museum, which houses artifacts relating to the rich past of the town.   You’ll also enjoy strolling through Washington’s historic district and witnessing its well-preserved buildings and tree-lined streets.   7. Ellijay County courthouse, Ellijay, Georgia. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Affectionately known as the “Apple Capital of Georgia,” this charming small town is the perfect destination for those who are interested in agricultural charm and outdoor adventure. Each autumn, Ellijay comes alive with the Georgia Apple Festival, celebrating its rich apple-growing heritage.   When you visit, you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in the season by picking your own apples at local orchards like B.J. Reece Orchards and Hillcrest Orchards. Both offer a variety of apple-related products and family-friendly activities.   Apart from the orchards, Ellijay’s location in the North Georgia mountains makes it a prime destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The area boasts numerous hiking and mountain biking trails, with the Appalachian Trail accessible from nearby Springer Mountain. Water activities abound on the Cartecay and Ellijay Rivers, where visitors can enjoy tubing, kayaking, and fishing.   The town’s historic downtown offers a quaint atmosphere with boutique shops, local eateries, and antique stores, all set against a backdrop of scenic mountain views.   8. Senoia Woodbury Street, Downtown Senoia, Georgia. Source: Flickr   This small town is located just south of Atlanta and is known for its historic charm and cinematic appeal. What sets Senoia apart is its beautifully preserved Main Street, lined with Victorian-era buildings that create a picture-perfect backdrop.   Senoia was first settled in the mid-19th century and officially incorporated in 1860. Over the years, it evolved from a quiet farming community into a hub for film and television. Fans of The Walking Dead will recognize it as the fictional town of Woodbury, a setting that brought this small Georgia town international fame.   At present, visitors can explore the Senoia Area Historical Society Museum, which chronicles the town’s early days and its growth through the years. In addition to its historical significance, Senoia is a shopper’s paradise, offering unique boutiques, antique stores, and local eateries.   9. Eatonton Putnam County Courthouse, Eatonton, Georgia. Source: Wikimedia Commons   In 1807, Eatonton was established as the seat of Putnam County. Named after William Eaton, a diplomat and hero of the First Barbary War, the town was built in the heart of Georgia’s Lake Country. Surrounded by rolling hills and fertile farmland, Eatonton has long been known for its agricultural roots, particularly in cotton production during its early years.   The Rock Eagle Effigy should top your list when visiting Eatonton. This ancient Native American mound, shaped like a massive bird, is estimated to be over 1,000 years old and stands as a testament to the region’s deep history. It’s one of only two such effigy mounds in North America.   Literary enthusiasts will also appreciate Eatonton’s connection to Joel Chandler Harris, author of the Uncle Remus tales, and Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple. Today, visitors can explore the Uncle Remus Museum, celebrating Harris’s legacy and the town’s cultural heritage.   10. Fayetteville City of Fayetteville City Hall, Georgia. Source: Wikimedia Commons   This historic town in Georgia was established in 1823 as the seat of Fayette County. Fayetteville is named after the Marquis de Lafayette, a French Revolutionary War hero. Situated just south of Atlanta, the town grew as a small agricultural community before evolving into a hub of heritage and charm.   Its centerpiece is the Fayette County Courthouse, built in 1825 and still in use today. Surrounded by quaint shops and eateries, this courthouse is the oldest in Georgia and a proud landmark in Fayetteville’s town square.   History lovers should visit the Holliday-Dorsey-Fife House Museum. Built in 1855, the house is a window into Fayetteville’s past, showcasing artifacts and stories tied to the Civil War and local history. Starr’s Mill, a nearby historic gristmill, adds to Fayetteville’s charm, offering serene views and a peek into early industry.

  From her beginnings in Maryland, it was impossible for Wallis Warfield to know how drastically she would come to impact the history of England and send ripples throughout the world. A socialite with many powerful friends, she became known as the woman who caused the abdication of the king of England; however, there was more to her story, chapters that are largely omitted in the world’s memory. Loved by some and hated by others, she was blamed for decisions out of her control as she struggled to live her happiness.   Born on Both Sides of the Mason-Dixon Line Wallis photographed in 1935 by Cecil Beaton for Vogue. Source: Vogue   In a fashionable resort cottage, Bessie Wallis Warfield was born in June 1896. The unique abode straddled four counties and two states, Pennsylvania and Maryland, giving Bessie Warfield a rather unique introduction to the world. Her birth date is believed to be June 19, but no birth certificate was ever filed. Some believe this may have been to protect her parents from the stigma associated with a birth out of wedlock.   As a child, she dropped her first name and began going by Wallis, which was also her father’s middle name. Unfortunately, her father passed away from tuberculosis when she was a baby. As a result, her mother, Jane, leaned heavily on her brother-in-law, Solomon Warfield, for financial support. Solomon was a financier and heavily involved in the railroad industry. With no family of his own, caring for his brother’s only daughter, Wallis, became one of his roles.   A Rising Socialite The Oldfields School closed in 2023 after 156 years in operation. Source: The Oldfields School   Wallis’ uncle enabled her to attend Oldfields School, the most expensive and prestigious girls’ school in Maryland, where she graduated at the top of her class. She was known as an impeccable dresser with a strong personality that offended some adults, though it made her popular with her classmates.   Debutante celebrations like the Bachelors’ Cotillion are still held today. Source: National Debutante Cotillion   Wallis made her social debut at Baltimore’s famous Bachelors’ Cotillion. An event traditionally held the Friday after Thanksgiving since the 1790s, Wallis debuted among other daughters of Maryland’s notable elite. In 1916, she traveled to visit her cousin Corrine in Florida. On the trip, Corrine’s husband, a navy captain, introduced Wallis to pilot Earl Winfield Spencer, Jr. A notorious flirt, Wallis was immediately taken with the young man, and a romance blossomed.   Two Marriages Wallis envisioned by artist Nyla Hayes, based on Simpson’s depiction on the Time cover as Woman of the Year in 1936. Source: Time Magazine   It wasn’t long before Wallis and Win, as Spencer was known, were engaged. They married on November 8th, 1916, but the union was bumpy from the start. Win was an alcoholic and often took out his drunken rage on his wife, including one occasion where he locked her in a room while drinking. Win was stationed away from home for much of his marriage, including wartime stints in San Francisco, Washington DC, and China.   The couple grew apart, and Wallis made a trip to visit her husband to see if the marriage could be saved. When they realized it couldn’t, divorce proceedings began. Wallis spent that year traveling alone in China, and the union was officially dissolved in Shanghai in December 1927.   Simpson may have briefly lived with another man during her time in China, but details are unclear. She returned to New York and relied on friends while trying her hand at a number of occupations. She was not able to find a career that suited her tastes and skills, though she aspired to make her mark in a “man’s world.”   Thelma Furness, right, with her twin sister in a 1958 photo by Peter Stackpole. Source: Google Arts & Culture-Life Photo Collection   Not long after her divorce, Wallis began a relationship with Ernest Simpson, a British shipping magnate with American origins. The pair were introduced in New York by a childhood friend with whom Simpson had attended Oldfields, Mary Rafferty. Simpson was married but divorced his first wife in order to pursue a marriage with Wallis.   They wed in London on July 21, 1928 and began residing in England. They moved into a large apartment with amenities, including servants, and were part of the elite social circles Wallis had become accustomed to in her youth. One of Wallis’ friends was Lady Thelma Furness, a fellow American socialite and twin sister of Gloria Vanderbilt. Furness was married to a viscount and shipping industry powerhouse over twenty years her senior but was (somewhat) secretly involved with Edward VIII, the Prince of Wales.   In 1931, Lady Furness invited the Simpsons to a party, a last-minute invitation made when another couple was unable to attend. This proved a fateful evening, as it was where Wallis met Edward VIII. Though it wasn’t necessarily love at first sight, it was the beginning of a relationship that had a myriad of consequences.   A Legendary Affair Cynthia Harris as Wallis Simpson accompanied by Edward Fox playing the Prince in the film Edward & Mrs. Simpson. Harris won a BAFTA nomination for the role. Source: Rex Features   Though the exact time the affair between Wallis Simpson and the future king of England began is not publicly known, they were widely rumored to be an item by 1934. Edward spent a great deal of time socializing with both of the Simpsons, and with Wallis on her own. A media blackout on the subject was pervasive throughout the UK, but in other parts of Europe and in America, the pair were extensively tracked by the media.   Edward maintained until his death that the two never consummated their love, as Wallis was still married to Ernest Simpson, but suspicion ran wild as Wallis vacationed (without her husband) with the prince and was presented to the royal family. Edward’s parents were troubled by the heir’s association with Simpson and encouraged him to look elsewhere for a wife. The queen, in particular, detested Wallis and the complications she was causing the family.   King George by Frederick W Elwell, 1932. Source: Royal Collection Trust   Despite his family’s misgivings, Edward continued his relationship with Wallis. It is believed that Ernest Simpson knew about the affair, and some speculated that he lived with it expecting that when Edward became king, the relationship would end and Ernest himself would be rewarded with honors within the court. The opposite happened with the death of King George V on January 20th, 1936.   From the onset, Edward was clear about his plans to marry Wallis. She filed for a divorce, and Ernest acquiesced. However, the newly ascended king ran into problems with his intentions. His advisors informed him that a marriage to Wallis would be impossible. As the head of the Church of England, marrying a divorced woman, particularly one with two living ex-husbands, was simply inconceivable. She was also American-born, which had its own air of controversy among the British people. When faced with a choice between Wallis and the crown, Edward, much to the shock of the monarchy, chose Wallis.   Edward’s instrument of abdication. Source: The National Archives UK   While Wallis loved Edward, she felt torn about the “abdication crisis” that had occurred as a result of their romance. There is no evidence that she pushed for Edward to make his momentous decision and was said to have reacted to Edward’s radio broadcast formally announcing his abdication to the British people with tears.   However, Edward was firm in his decision and signed the instruments of abdication on December 10, 1936. He proposed to Wallis with a large Cartier ring of emerald, and unsure of what life would bring, the two planned to wed once her divorce was finalized.   The Not-So-Royal Wedding Portrait of Wallis Simpson by Samuel Johnson Wood, 1936. Source: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC   In May 1937, Wallis and Ernest’s divorce was finalized. On June 3, her wedding to Edward occurred. The two were married in a quiet ceremony attended by a few friends and no members of the royal family. The reverend who performed the service was afterward ostracized in society. The wedding took place in France, followed by a honeymoon in Austria.   With no royal assignment, Wallis and Edward were free to reside where they wished, though they felt unwelcome in England and only returned for short visits for the remainder of their lives. The couple made their home in France but also traveled around Europe and America extensively. During World War II, Edward was assigned to act as governor of the Bahamas, a British territory, for five years.   The couple on vacation in Yugoslavia in 1936 in a photo by Thompson Paul. Source: Daily Herald Archive   On his abdication, Edward had been given the title of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Windsor. Though Wallis was often referred to as the Duchess of Windsor, she was never given any official royal titles from the monarchy. In fact, on his sickbed shortly before his death in 1972, Edward asked his niece, Elizabeth, the reigning English monarch, to bestow his wife with the “Her Royal Highness,” or HRH title. Elizabeth refused.   Queen Elizabeth II with President Gerald Ford in 1976. Source: National Archives & Records Administration, US, via the Court Jeweller   In spite of the royal family’s refusal to accept her, Wallis maintained her place in global society as a woman to watch. An elegant and fashionable dresser, she was consistently featured on “best dressed” lists over the years. She had an extensive jewelry collection that she enjoyed wearing and had her hair done daily, maintaining an air of gentility regardless of title.   Rumors & Controversy A view from inside Edward & Wallis’ Bahamas home. Source: Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty   Though they were no longer living a royal lifestyle, Wallis and her husband stayed in the public eye, often stirring up controversy. The most striking example took place just after their wedding when their travels took them to Nazi Germany. The two were photographed with Adolf Hitler, which reflected badly as the movement toward a world war progressed. Some speculate that Edward’s assignment to the Bahamas was a sort of punishment for this.   A Quiet Retirement A flier for the sale of Wallis’ jewelry after her death in 1987. Photo by Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Source: People   After Edward’s death in 1972, Wallis slowly slipped from the public eye. She experienced some medical concerns as she aged, including a broken hip the year after Edward died. In 1977, she suffered a stomach hemorrhage that required surgery. After this, she was confined to her bed much of the time. She passed away at her home in Paris on April 23, 1986, aged 89.   Wallis paved the way for Meghan Markle, pictured here with Prince Harry in 2022. Misan Harriman photo. Source: Vogue   Though Wallis never achieved status and acceptance among the royal family, she never let it hinder her public elegance. Regardless of her monarchical rank, Wallis made her mark by setting a precedent.   For example, in 2017, Prince Harry of England announced his intention to marry Meghan Markle, and though their marriage has faced its share of trials, it was not nearly as controversial as that of Wallis and Edward and was not prevented by the royal family.   In the years since her death, Wallis’ legacy has been reexamined, changing her public image from that of a seductress who lured Edward from the monarchy to one of a woman in love. For the rest of his life, Edward maintained his devotion to his wife and said publicly that he never regretted abdication. She may have been influential, but Wallis Warfield was, in all likelihood, far from the villain she was portrayed as in the 1930s and 40s.

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