The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation

RAMBLE TO ELBERTON AND ELBERT COUNTY OCTOBER 19-20, 2007

Ramble to the Granite Capital of the World
Fall Ramble spotlights Elbert County and Elberton Friday and Saturday, Oct. 19–20, 2007

Event Schedule Hotel Accommodations News Release

Founded in 1803, Elberton is one of the oldest, and most historic, cities in Georgia. The town of some six thousand sits in the center of rural Elbert County between the beautiful Broad and mighty Savannah Rivers. Georgia Trust Ramblers are invited to tour private homes, churches, and civic buildings dating back to the late 1800s.

On Friday, October 19, Ramblers will register at the Elbert County Courthouse, built in 1895 in the popular Richardsonian Romanesque style. New Members and First-time Ramblers will be invited to a special
reception at the Seaboard Airline Depot, built by the Seaboard and old Elberton Airline railroads in 1909. The depot served the community from 1910 until 1971 and became the home of the Elbert County Historical Society in 1985, winning an Excellence in Rehabilitation award from the Trust in 1990.

St. Mary's Catholic Church is just one of many historic structures Ramblers will visit Oct. 19 and 20.

All Ramblers will enjoy a steak dinner at the Luther Martin Heard home, a Neoclassical house designed by architect William E. Wallis and built in 1909 by B.R. Padgett & Sons. Still owned by descendents of Luther Heard, the house will serve as the backdrop for an evening under the stars.

On Saturday, October 20, orientation will take place in the Elbert Theatre, built in 1940 in the Art Deco style. This theatre was
considered to be one of the finest in the state upon completion, featuring air conditioning, special sound and projection effects, and a tall, vertical marquee. Saturday lunch, catered by McIntosh Coffee
Shop, will be on the picnic grounds of First United Methodist Church. Ramblers will see The Historic "Memorial" Armory Auditorium, also known on the National Register of Historic Buildings as the "ROCK GYM," which has been saved from demolition by the Elbert County Historical Society and the Downtown Development Authority. Built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) as part of Roosevelt's New Deal, the building
served as the headquarters of Company I, 122nd infantry for many years.

Saturday's orientation will take place at the 1940 Art Deco Elbert Theatre

The Ramble also includes the Elberton Granite Museum, which tells the story of how Elberton came to be known as "Granite City of the World." Other notable granite buildings and monuments, including the
Guidestones, will be part of the tour.

In partnership with:
City of Elberton · Elbert County Chamber of Commerce, Inc. · Elbert County Government
Elbert County Historical Society · Elberton Granite Association
Elbert Theatre · Mainstreet Elberton