Thomasville City Parks

Thomasville Rose Garden
Thomasville is known as the City of Roses, and glorifying the City's namesake is the Thomasville Rose Garden. Nestled against the gentle waters of Cherokee Lake, the garden provides a setting to enjoy roses, roses, roses!!! The rose garden features over five hundred individual rose bushes with many varieties of hybrid tea, grandiflora, floribunda, miniature, climber, and shrub roses. Visit the Thomasville Rose Garden and enjoy the view under the Victorian Rose Garden Gazebo, arbor garden shelters, quaint seating nooks, and more.

Location: Cherokee Lake Park
Corner of Covington Avenue & Smith Avenue

Admission: FREE TO THE PUBLIC


Paradise Park

Thomasville's Paradise Park has stood as a veritable forest in the heart of the community for over 100 years. This masterpiece of nature, some 26 acres, was optioned to the city in 1886 by Dr. S. Alex Smith, and stipulations of the option insured the perpetuity of the Park. Smith died in 1888, and in 1889 the "city fathers" exercised the option, purchased the property from the Smith heirs, and Thomasville was the proud owner of "one of the most important attractions of our beautiful city."

In the late 1800's, Paradise Park became a focal point in the life of the community: parades, bicycles, picnics, band concerts, and watermelon cuts were the order of the day, and visitors to the city thrived on its pine-scented, "health-giving properties." Located across from the park was the famous Piney Woods Hotel which afforded patrons not only a pleasant vista, but also a recreational facility without peer.

On April 4, 1896, the Park was the scene of a significant event. On that day, a tree planting ceremony honoring Joseph Medill, publisher of the Chicago Tribune, and A. K. McClure, publisher of the Philadelphia Times was held. These men were winter residents in during Thomasville's "hotel era" and had publicized the city in their papers, contributing much to the city's popularity as a winter resort.

Nearly 100 years later, a group of citizens expressed interest in helping the City to revitalize the park, and on August 23, 1993, the Paradise Park Conservancy was duly incorporated by the Secretary of State of Georgia. Modeled after New York City's Central Park Conservancy, a twelve member board was formed comprised of dedicated, interested citizens. This organization, funded from memberships and contributions from all segments of the Thomas County citizenry, assists in Paradise Park revitalization efforts by providing funds and other resources for maintenance and enhancement of plantings and equipment.

The Conservancy recently joined with the City to fund the construction of a toddler's playground in Paradise Park. This playground, constructed in keeping with the historic character of the park, provides hours of enjoyment to toddler and school aged children. Picnic facilities are also available. Future improvement plans include a walking trail and restroom facilities.

In the many years since its establishment, Paradise Park has been witness to events, great and small. Today, it stands as an entrenched and revered part of the community's history, testimony to the wisdom of our predecessors as well as to the interest and wisdom of our twentieth century leaders.

Location: Off South Broad Street - Downtown Thomasville
Admission: FREE TO THE PUBLIC

Pebble Hill Plantation

Tour Pebble Hill Plantation, the South's premier plantation, and revel in its sweeping spiral staircase, rare Audubon prints, and wealth of porcelains and fine antiques. Once the home of Thomasville and Thomas County's founder, Thomas Jefferson Johnson, the plantation later became the winter home of the Hanna family of Cleveland, Ohio, who enjoyed it as a hunting lodge. A rich sporting heritage is displayed in the many collections of the main house, which boasts of having the largest private collection of Audubon prints. The house, grounds, stable complex, and other out buildings are open for tours.

Location: 5 miles south of Thomasville on Highway 319
Address: P.O. Box 830, Thomasville, GA 31799
Telephone: (912) 226-2344.

GUIDED TOURS:
Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Last tour begins at 4:00. Length of tour: 2 hours.
CLOSED: Every Monday; Labor Day until October 1; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Eve & Christmas Day.

ADMISSION:
Adults: $2 (grounds fee), $5 (house fee)
Children under 12: $1 (grounds fee), $2.50 (12 house fee)
Children over 12: $5 (house fee)
Children under lst grade are not admitted on the house tour.
Reserved Group Discounts: 18 members and over (10% off]
Senior & Student Reserved Group Discounts: 18 members and over (20 % off).


Lapham-Patterson House

This home is a monument to the imagination, creative engineering and craftsmanship of the Victorian Era. The Lapham-Patterson house was one of Thomasville's first winter cottages and is by far the most unique! Built between 1884 - 85 as a winter cottage for prosperous shoe merchant, C. W. Lapham of Chicago, the home features fishscale shingles, an oriental-style porch, a remarkable double-flue chimney with a walk- through stairway and cantilevered balcony. There are no square rooms nor right angles in the house. An array of curiosities fills the nineteen rooms including many of the original furnishings.

Location: 626 N. Dawson Street
Telephone: (912) 225-4004
GUIDED TOURS: Tuesday - Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sundays: 2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Tours begin on the hour. Length of tour: 45 minutes
CLOSED: Every Monday; some legal holidays; Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
ADMISSION: Adults: $3
Children 18 or younger: $1
Group Rates: Adults, 15 or more: $2 each
Children, 15 or more: $.50 each
(advance notice requested -- receive two free admissions)


Thomas County Museum of History

Learn why some of the country's best known families spent their winters in Thomasville, Georgia, during what is known as the "Winter Resort Era," (late 1880s to early 1900s). See memorabilia of Thomasville from this intriguing era, as well as restored 19th century buildings, ladies dress collections, and antique vehicles. The museum also features displays of rare photographs and memorabilia from various plantations many of which are still owned by descendants of their founders. In addition, the museum boasts the South's oldest bowling alley!
Location: 725 N. Dawson Street
Telephone: (912) 226-7664
GUIDED TOURS: Open Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - noon and 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
CLOSED: Last week in September; Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Eve
& Christmas Day; and New Year's Day
TOUR FEES: $5.00 adult, under 18 $1:00, under 6 Free.
Group rates and step-on guide service available.

All Saints Episcopal Church

This church is the oldest original standing church in Thomasville. The church was originally a Catholic church, and Jacqueline Kennedy attended mass here following President John F. Kennedy's assassination.
Location: 443 Hansell Street
Telephone: (912) 228-9242.
OPERATING HOURS: Tuesday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
ADMISSION: FREE TO THE PUBLIC
When touring, please remember this is a house of worship.


Hardy Bryan House

Considered the oldest two-story house in Thomasville, this home was built in two stages, in 1833 and 1837. The house was severely deteriorated when Thomasville Landmarks, a local historic preservation board, acquired it in the late 1970's. In 1980, it was fully restored and furnished and is now used as Thomasville Landmarks' headquarters and house museum.
Location: 312 N. Broad Street
Telephone: (912) 226-6016
GUIDED TOURS: Friday: 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Small admission fee


Birdwood Estate

This estate was the winter home of the late Honorable William Cameron Forbes, U. S. Ambassador to Japan during the administration of President Herbert Hoover. Forbes was also a grandson of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Forbes was an avid polo player of international caliber, and the tradition of exciting polo is carried on today with matches held each May on the grounds. Today, the main house serves as the administration building of Thomas College. Visitors are welcomed to come inside the main building and view display cases of this era. No guided tours are available at this time.


The Big Oak

Thomasville's mighty and majestic 310 year old oak stands as one of the show spots of the city and one of the marvels of benevolent nature. This Quercus Virginiana sprouted from a small acorn and is estimated to be over 68 feet high, with a limb spread of 162 feet and circumference of 24 feet. It was enrolled as a member of National Live Oak Society in 1936.

LOCATION: Corner of Crawford & East Monroe Streets.


Walking & Driving Tour of Historic Sites of Thomasville

During the late 1800s to early 1900s, social-socialites and wealthy northerners traveled to Thomasville, making the city their winter home. Due to the varied wealth and tastes of the northern visitors, Thomasville has nearly every style of architecture represented in her historic homes and buildings. The Thomasville Welcome Center has available a brochure complete with pictures, histories, and an easy-to-follow map for a self-guided walking or driving tour of the historic districts.

Location: 109 South Broad Street
Telephone: (912) 225-3919
(800) 704-2350



Some information has been provided by rose.net.