Take A Thrilling Road Trip To The 8 Most Abandoned Places In Georgia
Georgia has some pretty sensational abandoned spots just littered throughout the state. We’re talking breathtaking spots that have been reclaimed by nature, not to mentioned places riddled with important pieces of our state’s history. Some people come from all over the world just to visit these ruins and test their courage through parts unknown. But did you know that you can tackle a ton of incredible abandoned places in Georgia with just one road trip?
That’s right. We have created the ultimate Georgia road trip through eight of the most popular, most alluring abandoned places in the state. Whether you’re ending your summer with a bang, or you’re ready for a unique autumn adventure, this comprehensive road trip is for you. The entire trip is less than 500 miles and clocks in at just over eight hours of travel time. That means if you stop and explore at each abandoned spot, you’ll have an awesome weekend road trip covering some serious Georgia ground.
Otherwise, take a look at the map breakdown for a one-of-a-kind experience exploring the most abandoned places in Georgia.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
The first stop on this road trip is the ever-popular Dungeness Ruins. What was once a beautiful mansion on Cumberland Island, and home to many prominent families throughout Georgia history (Carnegies, Dungeons, etc) now remains in ruins after a fire in 1959. An abandoned mansion just waiting to be explored.
Address: St Marys, GA 31558
Horton House is stop number two, and also one of the most historical. This abandoned building is one of the oldest standing buildings in the state, not to mention the very first brewery. What's so unique about this building is that it's made from tabby, which is created using a strange method of melting down oyster shells to create lime.
Address: Riverview Dr, Jekyll Island, GA 31527
Harville House is potentially the most beautiful abandoned building in the state. It's located on Harville Road (weird, huh?) and might take a few passes before you locate it. The exact address is 1850 Harville Road
Statesboro, Georgia, but GPS isn't too reliable when you search. However, taking a moment to find this amazing historical building will be well worth it.
Address: 1850 Harville Rd, Statesboro, GA 30458
This abandoned campus is next up on the road trip and may be the creepiest stop yet. What was once a state mental asylum sprawling over 2,000 acres, is now left in ruins with nothing more than faint whispers of the residents who once called Central State Hospital home. Is it haunted? Can you hear the screams of patients? Let us know what you find.
Address: Powell Building, 620 Broad St, Milledgeville, GA 31062
Located halfway between Athens and Greensboro on the Oconee River is the next stop on the trip, Scull Shoals Mill Ruins. After Spanish troops settled the area in the late 1700s, they built a frontier settlement and village. The village expanded with a paper mill and water-powered grist mill. However, devastating fires destroyed much of the buildings, leaving behind abandoned ruins worthy of exploration.
Address: Scull Shoals Mill Ruins, Watkinsville, GA
This may be one of the most unique stops on this road trip. The Prison Farm is a huge expanse of abandoned buildings that are peppered with beautiful, colorful graffiti throughout. The Farm isn't open to the public, so if you're looking to admire from the inside, you will need permission from the landowner.
Address: 1420 Key Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
This historic 25-acre train facility is now left in beautiful shambles in Atlanta, Georgia. It has been closed since 1950, and visitors have been creating a mix of artwork throughout the place, while also allowing nature to reclaim bits and pieces. It's a magical place that if you play your cards right, the state might let you inside.
Address: Rogers St NE, Atlanta, GA 30317
8. New Manchester Manufacturing Company, Lithia Springs, GA
Hidden deep in the lush forest of Georgia's Sweetwater Creek State Park are the abandoned ruins of what was once a cotton mill used during the Civil War. After the war ended, a fire raged throughout the building, leaving behind an abandoned, yet magical mess, which can still be explored to this day.
Address: 1750 Mt Vernon Rd, Lithia Springs, GA 30122
So there you have it! Your ultimate abandoned places road trip throughout Georgia. Share the trip with a few friends that you’d like to join you on this adventure.
Address: Riverview Dr, Jekyll Island, GA 31527, USA
Address: 1850 Harville Rd, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA
Address: Milledgeville, GA 31061, USA
Address: Scull Shoals Dr, Greensboro, GA 30642, USA
Address: 1420 Key Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, USA
Address: Rogers St NE, Atlanta, GA 30317, USA
Address: 1750 Mt Vernon Rd, Lithia Springs, GA 30122, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Abandoned Places In Georgia
February 01, 2020
Marisa Roman
What is the most famous abandoned place in Georgia?
Because the state of Georgia has so much history, it isn’t surprising that there are tons of haunted places and abandoned places worth perusing. In fact, there are so many neat abandoned places in the state to check out that we made an entire road trip in Georgia out of it. But if you’re looking for perhaps the most famous of them all, then we recommend learning the history of Central State Hospital in Milledgeville. This abandoned hospital is as creepy as they come and packs quite a punch in terms of history. Click here to learn more about this creepy asylum in Georgia that is still standing.
What is the most haunted place in Georgia?
Truth be told, there are a lot of haunted places in Georgia that seem to be well-known in other parts of the country. For instance, Savannah is said to be one of the most haunted cities in the United States! Between the various ghost tours peppering the area to the historic cemeteries throughout, you’ll likely run into a few haunted spots during your visit to this historical city. The Kehoe House had both guests and staff hearing noises and seeing paranormal activity, and The Marshall House, which is Savannah’s most haunted hotel, there is quite a lot to see in this haunted place.
Can I go ghost hunting in Georgia?
Yes, you can absolutely go ghost hunting in Georgia if you know the right places to go. Georgia is filled with history and haunts, so much so that people want to seek out those haunts for themselves. For those of you looking for the creepiest places in Georgia to hunt for ghosts, we recommend visiting The York House Inn, which is Georgia’s oldest bed and breakfast. This nationally registered place offers up ghost hunting opportunities with professionals on particular days of the year—more likely closer to Halloween.
A New Jersey native with over 15 years of writing experience, Marisa has studied at both New York University and Florida International University. She has lived all over the country, including a decade stint in South Florida. Marisa is well-versed in exploration as she travels a good majority of the year in her self-converted Sprinter van. Her articles have been featured in various notable publications over the years, she has a published collection of short stories, and three completed screenplays under her belt.
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