Historic Downtown Douglasville
Historic Downtown Douglasville — "The Walking City"
You’re
invited to explore Historic Downtown Douglasville, a vibrant community,
full of life and charm with many treasures awaiting you. Lying just a
few miles west of downtown Atlanta, Douglasville is nestled between the
Norfolk-Southern railway tracks and Interstate 20.
The heart of Douglasville is the historic downtown, featuring O'Neal Plaza, with its cheerful brick fountain, a perfect starting point for your walking tour of the historic district. You'll find Historic Douglasville to be the "walking city," a place you can shop, relax, do business, and dine, all within a few minutes from your accommodations.
Whether you stroll down Broad Street, or up the road to the historic courthouse, you'll delight in the offerings of the many quaint shops along the way.
Walk
around the corner and visit the popular Downtown Conference Center.
Historic Sites
A turn-of-the-century railroad town, Douglasville has a central business district parallel to the railroad tracks that is mostly made up of one- and two-story brick commercial structures and some lofts. Varying styles of architecture in the residential district tell the story of Historic Downtown Douglasville and its development over the years as the railroad brought in visitors and businesspeople. Wonderful examples of Victorian, Queen Anne, Craftsman, Colonial Revival, Romanesque, Italianate, Beaux Arts Classicism and Tudor Revival styles can still be viewed from outside and enjoyed today during your self-guided walking tour of our city.
Among the historic residential buildings, the Roberts-Mozley House at 8652 Campbellton Street was the first listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains one of the historic district’s loveliest homes. Built in 1901, this two-story columned neoclassical style house was home to three Douglasville mayors and a state senator before it became the home of the Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville/Douglas County, Inc. in 1986. One of the most striking buildings in the downtown historic district is the “Old” Douglas County Courthouse, completed in 1956. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is one of just four buildings still standing in the United States that was designed in the international style of the 1950’s. North Georgia marble, glazed brick and polished granite give the building its distinctive look.
Entertainment
Historic Downtown Douglasville offers the perfect setting for special events, performances and holiday celebrations, whether you’re a visitor or a long-time resident. Spring brings the Main Street Community Market in April, followed by a great variety of free spring Concerts on the Plaza in May, sponsored by the Cultural Arts Council. Then get ready for the Taste for Douglasville Arts, featuring food from many fine local restaurants, arts and crafts vendors, local talent on the Plaza stage and student performances on the second festival stage, and lots of free activities for children and adults. The hot Georgia summer brings more than sweet days of sunny weather. In June, Flag Day on O’Neal Plaza starts the mid-year season off with a patriotic flavor, followed closely in July by one of the best Independence Day parades and fireworks shows in the area.
In the fall, enjoy the cool days and free fall Concerts on the Plaza sponsored by the Cultural Arts Council, the Moonlight Run, and the Cultural Center Council’s Chili Cook-off.
The holiday season brings one of the largest downtown events, the Candlelight Tour of Homes and the Old Fashion Holiday celebration.
Arts and Culture
Historic Douglasville supports the arts in many ways. The Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville/Douglas County, Inc. provides a full schedule of high quality cultural events and arts activities for children and adults, residents of and visitors to Douglasville throughout the year. At its historic home, the gracious Roberts-Mozley House, in the historic residential district, Cultural Arts Center activities include chamber concerts and other performances, readings and book signings, monthly exhibitions, quarterly classes, and many special events like the Dia de los Reyes family festival, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Festival of Trees, Empty Bowls Holiday Luncheons and Kwanzaa celebration.
The Douglasville School of Art is located in Historic Douglasville Downtown. Visual arts education is its focus. While educating the community on the importance of the visual arts, the Douglasville School of Art offers painting and drawing classes for adults and children in another beautiful historic building.
