One of Georgia’s Quirkiest Towns Is Still Flying Under the Radar

If you’ve ever thought about experiencing Halloween outside of the one day of the year that it comes by, look no further than this quirky town in Georgia that gives you thrills and chills unlike any other place in the state. Milledgeville, Georgia, combines an antebellum-shaped past, a nearly empty psychiatric institution, and more head-scratchers within its premises. You’re in for a wild ride in this quirky small town in Georgia, which used to be the state’s old capital.

Where Is Milledgeville and Why Is It So Unique

Milledgeville is located in Central Georgia at the seat of Baldwin County, and lies on the Oconee River about 30 miles outside of Macon and 90 miles outside of Atlanta. Milledgeville is also nestled on the western shores of Lake Sinclair, giving prime real estate for visitors to enjoy scenic shoreline and plenty of outdoor recreational activities.

Milledgeville was founded in 1803 and served as Georgia’s fourth capital from 1804-1868 during the American Civil War. As a result, Milledgeville was filled with governors, legislators, and other political figures who played a pivotal role in shaping this period of the town's history. Remnants of the town’s past can be found in its Greek Revival architecture and its unusual historical landmarks, some of which are abandoned and provide a fascinating look into its 19th-century heritage.

The Quirky Attractions That Define This Town

Part of what makes Milledgeville a unique small town in Georgia is the immediate feeling you get of being transported to its antebellum past. The well-preserved landmarks that fill the town include the Old Georgia State Capitol, with its castellated Gothic architecture located on the Georgia Military College campus. Private tours are available here so that you can imagine yourself in a heated government debate back in the 1800s. 

If your curiosity gets the best of you, head to Memory Hill Cemetery to wander through the tombstones of legislators, Civil War soldiers, and enslaved individuals that speak volumes about what life was like in the town’s antebellum years. There are brochures located at the front gates of the cemetery that guide you through various gravesites in the cemetery. 

Perhaps the most recognizable landmark that Milledgeville has to offer is Central State Hospital, which was established in 1842 and was once known as the Georgia State Lunatic, Idiot, and Epileptic Asylum. It became one of the largest mental health institutions in the world, and exemplified a 19th-century understanding of mental health and also the progression of public health efforts that ultimately led to better mental health care. You can tour this well-known site by taking a trolley tour, a self-guided tour, or a two-hour guided tour by a former employee of the hospital. 

What It’s Like to Visit

While having an immense amount of historical lore, Milledgeville is also a charming college town as the home of the Georgia College & State University. Its cultural heritage is also a draw, as you’re able to explore African American heritage through churches, cemeteries, and preserved homes such as the Sallie Ellis Davis House, the old home of a prominent educator and pillar of the African American community during segregation. 

Milledgeville is a town that draws in history lovers and outdoor enthusiasts who want to take advantage of lake-focused activities on Lake Sinclair or walk around the gardens of Lockerly Arboretum. If you want to take advantage of ideal temperatures and warm-weather activities, we recommend visiting Milledgeville in the late spring to see the azaleas bloom and mid-autumn to get involved in some eerie adventures. 

Give Milledgeville a try, and you just might be amazed at what all you can dig up from its past with every landmark and historic architectural gem that you visit. You don’t come across a town that’s as big of a blast from the past as this one. Along with Milledgeville, visit these other spooky towns in Georgia.