Harris Arts Center

●  Dates: January 2000 

●  Creator: The Calhoun Gordon Arts Council, incorporated on November 30, 1992, transformed the historic Rooker Hotel into the Harris Arts Center. 

●  Fun Fact: The center houses the Roland Hayes Museum, dedicated to the renowned African-American tenor who was born in Calhoun and performed at venues like Carnegie Hall and Buckingham Palace.

● Check out this Pod Cast. The host stumbled onto Roland Hayes and fell in love with his story: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/radiolab/id152249110?i=1000527616720

Library

● Dates: Established in 1911 by the Calhoun Women’s Club 

● Creator: Part of the Calhoun Memorial Library system, serving the community with various educational initiatives. 

● Fun Fact: The library was remodeled in 2015 and features a spacious and engaging children’s area, fostering a love for reading and creative play among young visitors

Seventh Day Adventist Rock Garden

● Dates: Construction began in 2007. 

● Creator: Dewitt Boyd, affectionately known as “Old Dog,” started the project with help from his family and volunteers. 

● Fun Fact: The garden features over 50 miniature castles, churches, and structures, including a replica of Notre Dame Cathedral! 

● From the garden enjoy a 40 minute walking trail that crosses a swinging bridge and follows a stream with small waterfalls. There are no bathrooms on the trail.

Buc-ee’s

● Fun Fact: Buc-ee’s holds the record for the world’s largest convenience store, with its largest location spanning 75,593 square feet! 

● Dates: First opened in 1982 in Lake Jackson, Texas. The Calhoun location opened on August 23, 2021. 

● Fun Fact: Arch “Beaver” Aplin III founded Buc-ee’s, combining his childhood nickname “Beaver” with his Labrador retriever’s name, Buck.

Chandler Cemetery

● Dates: The cemetery is a historical site with graves dating back to the 19th century 

● Fun Fact/Creator: Before Gordon County was established, what is now known as Chandler Cemetery was a part of the plantation of Abraham Chandler. Chandler owned six hundred acres in the area. He died in 1847 and was buried in his own domain—the site chosen being a magnificently wooded hill overlooking the home place. Mrs. Chandler died in 1854, and the Chandler heirs deeded the hill to the town of Calhoun for a burial place in 1856. In 1911, a mortuary chapel was constructed by William Laurens Hillhouse. 

● It’s a great spot for viewing sunsets.

Veteran’s Memorial in Calhoun

● Fun Facts: #1 The memorial honors veterans from all branches of the military and serves as a gathering place for ceremonies like Memorial Day and Veterans Day, #2 The Arch and nearby Sequoyah statue were funded by the Calhoun Women’s Club in 1927. The statues were made by JL Mott Iron Works in New York. #3 The stone masonry was completed by W. Laurens Hillhouse, On one side is a Confederate Memorial which commemorates the Battle of Resaca which was fought near here on May 14-15, 1864. On the other side, “Calhoun honors her World War Heroes 1917-1918” featuring a Doughboy statue. 

● Dates: The memorial was unveiled on November 21, 2023, as part of a restoration and relocation effort. 

● Creator: The Calhoun County Veterans Affairs Committee and local officials collaborated on the project.

New Echota

● Fun Fact: New Echota was the capital of the Cherokee Nation and the site of the first Native American newspaper, the “Cherokee Phoenix.” 

● Dates: Established as the Cherokee capital in 1825 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973. 

● Creator: The Cherokee Nation established New Echota as their capital. 

● Included with admission is an optional 1.5 miles nature trail. The hike includes views of a beaver

Battlefield of Resaca

● Fun Fact: The Battle of Resaca was the first major battle of the Atlanta Campaign during the Civil War, fought from May 13–15, 1864. 

● Dates: The battlefield was preserved as a historic site, with efforts to protect it beginning in the late 20th century. 

● Creator: Preservation efforts were led by the Friends of Resaca Battlefield and local organizations 

● There are plenty of hiking trails on easy to moderate terrain at the site.