Greensboro, Georgia

Greensboro, Georgia, is steeped in history but also hits the mark on modern living. The city was founded in 1780 and named after Revolutionary War hero Major General Nathanael Greene. In 1787 it became the county seat and was incorporated as a city in 1855. A walk downtown here is special because, in 2014, the city was recognized by the Georgia Office of Downtown Development in the Department of Community Affairs as a Georgia Exceptional Main Street community. It reached this lofty status due to the downtown and business development, historic preservation, and job creation. There is so much to do and see here; you may have trouble deciding where to start. 

A great beginning is the Downtown Greensboro Historic Scavenger Hunt to get a feel for the city and its history. Take a tour of the city while hunting down little-known bits of history and answering trivia questions along the way. The hunt can leave you parched, so make the next stop the Oconee Brewing Company. Built in a former cotton mill warehouse, the craft beer brewery is on the cutting edge of taste, so try one of the Waffle House-inspired Bacon and Kegs Red Ale. Some other amazing choices are Leon’s Lederhosen, Bird in Barley, and Dog Days of Seltzer. There are even tours of the facility.

For a touch of history that appeals to the avid shopper, stop by the Greensboro Antique Mall. How many antique malls can say they are on the National Register of Historic Places? Founded in 1860 by Charles Davis and located in the historic Big Store, the mall is an antique lover’s dream with over 11,000 square feet of history. At Genuine Georgia, you can find beautifully hand-crafted art designed only by Georgia natives, and each month brings a new artist of the month. 

When it’s time for a breath of fresh air, spend some time at Scull Shoals Mill Village. Remnants date to the late 1700s, including Georgia’s first water-driven sawmill and grist, paper, and textile mills. Be on your best behavior, or you may find yourself in the Old Gaol. This over 200-year-old building is the oldest masonry jail in the state and has remained almost unchanged. You can stop by Genuine Georgia and grab a set of keys that gains you access to the inside of the jail. Once in, you’ll see the two-foot thick walls, gallows, and trap door that opened to hang the condemned prisoners.

With such a rich history, don’t be surprised if you feel the presence of ghostly prisoners. At the Early Hill Plantation, though, you may get more than a feeling. In the 1820s, the mayor’s daughter was killed by a falling tree branch. There have reported sightings of a girl swinging from a tree, a woman on the porch in a rocking chair, a mother brushing a girl’s hair, and the sounds of slave chains in the basement.

With so many places listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it makes sense that the homes and businesses in Greensboro have some age to them, and with age comes upkeep. For the top contractor and roofing specialist in the area, there is Double J Roofing & Construction. We are locally owned, and our work is built to last, like so many buildings of the region. Contact us today for some information on our roofing and construction services or submit a form online.