Thomasville
The winter residents brought money to this small town and left behind community improvements and a collection of shooting plantations, as they called their mansions. The Lapham-Patterson House, at 626 N. Dawson St., is a restored, asymmetrical 1885 Victorian home where each room is a different shape with none square. Built by prosperous merchant C.W. Lapham, the house featured a gas lighting system, indoor plumbing with hot and cold running water, modern closets, a cantilevered balcony and an unusual double-flue chimney with a walk-through stairway, all state of the art for the time. Phone (229) 226-7664.
Perhaps Thomasville's oldest resident is Big Oak, on the corner of E. Monroe and N. Crawford streets. Dating from the late 17th century, the tree is 68 feet high, with a trunk circumference of 26 feet and a limb spread of 165 feet.
For three days in late April, the Rose Show and Festival at the Exchange Club Fairgrounds includes a juried rose show, the Rose Parade on Broad Street, a street dance, museum tours and an arts and crafts fair. Downtown's Victorian Christmas Festival features twinkling lights, a live nativity, costumed carolers and dancers, carriage rides, jolly St. Nick and real snow in the Winter Wonderland.
Visitor Centers
Thomasville Visitors Center 144 E. Jackson St. Thomasville, GA 31792. Phone:(229)228-7977 or (866)577-3600
Self-guiding Tours
Visitor guides that include details about walking/driving tours of Thomasville’s historic districts are available at the visitor center.
Things to Do
Birdsong Nature CenterJack Hadley Black History Museum