Scenic Byways Enduring Farmlands

 The Enduring Farmlands Scenic Byway showcases routes through the historic towns of Hawkinsville, Pineview, Rochelle, and Abbeville as well as the surrounding countryside. In viewing the peaceful rural character and pastoral landscapes of this 65-mile byway in Pulaski and Wilcox Counties, travelers can observe the small town agricultural heritage still prevalent in this region of the state, and appreciate the efforts these cities and counties have made to maintain the character of their rural lifestyle while allowing a viable future for their residents.

Attractions of the byway include scenic pecan groves, horse and cattle pasture lands and farmland (corn, cotton, peanuts, soybeans, peaches, blueberries, and grapes), farmers markets and festivals, civil war heritage sites, and the Ocmulgee River, along with the historic architecture of Hawkinsville’s Old Opera House, the Lawrence Bennett Harness Horse racetrack, and several notable churches.

Directions to the Byway:

From the North, take I-75 S to Exit 135, GA-127/GA-224/US-41 toward Perry/Larry Walker Parkway. 

1. Turn left at the end of the exit ramp onto  Larry Walker Parkway/Golden Isles Parkway (GA-127/GA-224/US-41).

From the South, take 1-75 N to Exit 112, GA-27

1. Turn right at GA-27E, travel for 21.6 miles (as you enter Hawkinsville City Limits, this road becomes McCormick Avenue).
2.  Turn right at Broad Street/State Route 129.
3. Take the third left onto N. Lumpkin Street; arrive at Old Opera House (on right).  Byway begins at the Old Opera House, corner of N. Lumpkin and Broad Streets.

Roads included in the byway:

·         US 341

·         US 129/SR 11

·         US 280/SR 30

·         SR 112

·         SR 233

·         Mattie Richland Church Road

·         Cannonville Road

Hawkinsville and Winder are Georgia's newest Preserve America Communities
 

The Hawkinsville Commercial and Industrial Historic District was listed in the National Register in 2004.

First Lady Michelle Obama recently signed and sent designation letters to 29 new Preserve America Communities, including Hawkinsville and Winder in Georgia, bringing the total nationwide to 843.

Hawkinsville is currently restoring the historic windows at the Hawkinsville Opera House with a sfy2010 Georgia Heritage grant of $10,500.  There are using a ffy2009 Historic Preservation Fund grant of $6,000 to produce design guidelines for its historic downtown district. Visit the grants section of our website for more information.

The Preserve America Community Program recognizes a select group of communities that use their heritage resources and share the myriad benefits of historic preservation with residents and visitors. The program began in 2003 and Preserve America Communities, great places to visit and explore, are now located in all 50 states and many overseas U.S. territories. Preserve America is administered by the ACHP with assistance from the U.S. Department of the Interior. For more information see www.preserveamerica.gov and www.achp.gov.