The Big Spring in Cedartown brings Polk County to life through two specific features: an average of 4 million gallons of water flow from the limestone spring each day, and it is the second-largest limestone spring in the southern United States. At the same time, it served the Cherokee as a ballground and ceremonial dance site through the early 1800s. Natural features and history meet in one place; other highlights range from historic sites in Cedartown to trails and recreational activities throughout the county.
Places with a History in Cedartown
The Cedartown Commercial Historic District comprises 64 buildings and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. Another historic site is the Cedartown Encampment Removal Site, a National Park Service-certified site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. Both places offer distinct, clearly defined points of connection to Cedartown's history.
The Polk County Historical Society Museum preserves the county's history; its grounds are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The industrial past is evident at The Old Mill: it was built in 1848 for Asa Prior by enslaved people and operated as a mill for corn and wheat for nearly 100 years, until 1945. The information about the museum and mill thus complements the historic context of the townscape with county and industrial history.
Public memorials also add their own distinctive touches. The Cedartown Mural is a collage of well-known city buildings and historic sites. The memorial marker at Sterling Holloway Birthplace commemorates actor Sterling Holloway, known as the voice of Winnie the Pooh. Visitors interested in local history will find not only buildings and historic sites here, but also mural art and a marker commemorating a figure from the entertainment industry.
Trails and Recreation in the County
The Silver Comet Trail is used by cyclists, runners, hikers, inline skaters, and horseback riders for both recreation and commuting. The trail is accessible from the downtown areas of Rockmart and Cedartown, both of which are in Polk County. In Alabama, the Silver Comet Trail meets the Chief Ladiga Trail. For getting your bearings, the range of permitted uses and this connection are two distinct aspects of the same trail.
What stands out about the Pinhoti Trail is its regional reach: the trail is more than 300 miles long, and a section runs through Polk County in the Santa Claus Mountain area. Highland Park in Cedartown, meanwhile, offers one-way trails with route numbers, difficulty ratings, and designations for motorcycle or ATV trails. The trail information thus differs significantly: the Silver Comet Trail highlights its range of users, the Pinhoti its length, and Highland Park its marked trail types.
Access points on the Silver Comet Trail and trail designations in Highland Park may change. Check the latest access and trail information before your visit.
Getting Around and More Things to Do
The Cedartown Welcome Center is located in the depot right on the Silver Comet Trail. It offers brochures, maps, restrooms, vending machines, and a bicycle repair station. The Welcome Center also houses memorabilia from the depot station and many pieces of Sterling Holloway memorabilia. Since facilities and displays may change, check for current information before visiting.
A map for a self-guided driving tour of historic sites in Polk County is available; confirm its availability before your trip. In Rockmart, Prospect Valley Golf Course adds another option as a public 9-hole golf course. Alongside the historical themes and various trails, visitors can choose a specific golf course activity or drive independently to historic sites throughout the county.
Discover more destinations: Cedartown, Rockmart, Aragon, Coweta, Columbia, Terrell County, Stephens County, Murray County.
For the statewide travel overview: Georgia.
