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1 2 |
 downtown Lyons |
3 Shop Downtown Lyons • Broad Street • Lyons • Discover Broad Street! Here you will find really unique shopping and one-of-a-kind gifts, from hand blown glass Vidalia onions, to children’s consignments, to antique and everyday must-haves to furnish your house. You never know what kind of treasure you will find in downtown Lyons, from the specialty stores to the consignment shops. For more information on local merchants and special events happening in Lyons, visit the Lyons Better Hometown office and Welcome Center, located in the green building on the far end of NW Broad Street. A city kiosk station will soon be available. Look for it next to the Welcome Center. |
 Lyons Garden Club |
4 Lyons Garden Club (the ol’ swimming hole) • Lanier Street & Highway 280 (only open for events) • Follow Broad Street past Prince Books and turn right onto Lanier Street. Go to the corner of Lanier Street and Highway 280. The Lyons Garden Club is just across Highway 280. (Large red brick building with double-sided entrance steps.) Enjoy a stroll around the Lyons Garden Club, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and reminisce of days gone by at the old Lyons swimming pool and library. Be sure to check out the garden area in the back (that used to be the swimming pool) with the new fountain and landscaping. This area will eventually have an herb garden and landscaping a la the Garden Club, but it makes a pleasant stop at the old picnic table under the shady trees. |
 Lyons depot |
5 Lyons Train Depot • Highway 280 and Victory Drive (open Wednesdays from noon to 4pm) • From the Lyons Garden Club, follow Highway 280 West a few blocks up the road, and the train depot will be on your right at the intersection of Victory Drive and Highway 280. This City of Lyons’ property is a piece of Lyons history. It has been completely restored, and now serves as available rental space for special functions. Step back in time and visit this facility on Wednesdays between noon and 4pm for a look of yesteryear. |
| 6 Partin Park • South Victory Drive • Lyons • From the Depot, at the stoplight, cross Highway 280 and continue down South Victory Drive. Partin Park features a putt-putt golf course, walking trails, ball fields, and playgrounds for the kids. It is just past the shopping center, on the left. This is a great place to exercise or just take a stroll. |
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 Vidalia Onion Factory |
7 The Vidalia Onion Factory • Highway 280/East First Street • Lyons Follow Highway 280 West for a short distance, and you’ll find the Vidalia Onion Factory. Free factory tours may be available upon request, depending on their schedule; and are certainly available with advanced scheduling. Call the Vidalia Area CVB at (912) 538-8687 to arrange a factory tour for your family or group companions. |
 Vidalia Area CVB / Welcome Center |
8 The Vidalia Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Welcome Center • Monday – Friday, 8:30am-5pm • (912) 538-8687 • Follow Highway 280 West to the corner of the Southeastern Technical College, and then turn left onto Commerce Way. We’re in the second building on the right. Are you looking for more information on the area, or possibly other places along your travels through Georgia? The Vidalia Area Welcome Center is a great place to stop for free literature and information. The Vidalia Onion Museum is also housed in this building. |
| 9 Tumi Luggage Factory Store • Highway 280/East First Street • Vidalia (912) 537-6015 • Open Monday – Friday, 10am-6pm, and select Saturdays during the Christmas season • Continue following Highway 280 West, and you’ll see the Tumi Factory Store on the left just past the Holiday Inn Express. Yes! Tumi Luggage is manufactured right here in Vidalia! Find high quality, durable luggage at discount prices at the Tumi Factory Store. |
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 Historic district, downtown Vidalia |
10 Historic Downtown Vidalia • Jackson Street, Church Street, Meadows Street, and Main Street • Lovely historic downtown Vidalia is just off of Highway 280, once you pass the Darby Bank on the right. Turn right onto Jackson or Church Street, and find a nice parking spot. Enjoy shopping and strolling through downtown Vidalia, and see how hard they’ve worked on their sidewalks, storefronts, and Meadows Street Park. While downtown, you’ll want to visit all of the merchants in the historic district, which flanks both sides of Highway 280. All shops are filled with unique gifts and items sure to please all on your gift-giving lists. Visit the Ladson Genealogy Library. What started as Mr. Ladson’s hobby and passion, now sees on average 4,500 visitors a year. Trace your family’s history and enjoy thumbing through all of the books in the Ladson collection. The Ladson Library’s normal hours of operation after construction are Monday through Friday 9am-1pm, and 2pm-6pm, Saturdays 9am-1pm. Call (912) 537-8186 for information, or visit their website at http://www.toombs.public.lib.ga.us/ladson.htm. |
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11 Altama Museum of Art and History • 611 Jackson Street • Vidalia (call the Vidalia Area CVB for hours • Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, closed on weekends, summer and December—although special arrangements may be made with advance notice by calling the Vidalia Area CVB) Cross over Highway 280 on Jackson Street • The Altama Museum collection is housed in the neoclassic-style Brazell House, which was built in 1911 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum’s permanent collection includes the Normal Damon Libby Collection of Staffordshire porcelain, one of the largest collections in the country on public display with over 260 pieces and approximately 210 different patterns represented. Also housed in the Altama Museum, is a group of 24 first edition, hand-colored prints by John James Audubon from his Quadrupeds of North America. Other permanent collections include hand-colored bird prints by John Could, c. 1840, and William Morris, c. 1857, and chromographs of birds by Jacob Studer, c. 1881. Wooden sculptures, a 200-piece collection of 20th century Southern art, and a collection of 18th and 19th century botanicals, including English, French and German prints is also part of their permanent collection. Every April brings a new student exhibit, showcasing the artwork of local students. See the Girl Scout room—a room dedicated to Girl Scouts of all ages and Girl Scouting exhibiting scouting memorabilia dating back to 1929, when the Vidalia Women’s Club house used to be the Girl Scout Day Camp and Little House Girl Scout Nursery. |
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12 Vidalia-Toombs County Library • 610 Jackson Street, Vidalia • This little gem of the Ohoopee Regional Library System is just across the street from the Altama Museum of Art. Thumb through the Centennial Scrapbooks in the Reference Section, which were put together for Vidalia’s Centennial Celebration, or check out a book through the Georgia state PINES program. Library hours are Monday–Thursday, 10am-9pm and Saturday 10am-5:30pm. |
| 13 Tom Lewis Brick Warehouse Tobacco Sale Barn • Highway 280 West • Vidalia (when in season late summer) • On your way to Montgomery County to the next point-of-interest, get back on Highway 280 West and look for the open doors of the Tom Lewis Sale Barn on the left, just before Adams Street. Auctioned tobacco sales happen during late summer. |
 McCord's Exxon an outdoor outfitters |
14 McCord’s and The Goodie Garden • Intersection of Highway 280 West and Highway 15/29 • Head down Highway 280 West for Montgomery County. As you continue down the road, you can’t miss McCord’s Exxon and outdoor enthusiasts’ shop, with the Goodie Garden next door. McCord’s specializes in hunting and fishing gear for true aficionados, and can even fill your cooler with breakfast, lunch, or just snacks and drinks for a day out on the river or in the fields. The Goodie Garden next door is chock-full of your favorites… including beautiful indoor and outdoor plants, and fresh produce right from the farm. |
 Four Rivers Nursery |
15 Four Rivers Nursery and Outdoor Barn • Highway 29 • Higgston • Monday – Saturday 8am-5pm; Sunday 1pm-5pm • Turn right onto Highway 15/29 at the intersection of Highways 280 West and 15/29 Only 6 miles from downtown Vidalia, the Four Rivers Nursery and Outdoor Barn is a gardener’s paradise. Decorative landscaping slate and rocks of various colors, shape, and purpose are available per pound; along with their vast selection of indoor and outdoor plants of all sizes and colors. Looking for oxygenating water lilies and such? Four Rivers is the pond-builder’s place to shop. They also have a wide selection of yard ornaments, handmade porch/patio swings and furniture, and gifts for the gardeners in your life. |
 T.A. Blocker's General Store |
16 T.A. Blocker’s Western Store • Highway 29 • Kibbee • Open Monday – Saturday • Just past Four Rivers Nursery and Outdoor Barn is the one and only—T.A. Blocker’s Western Store—an unforgettable place to take a break and make new friends. Mr. and Mrs. Blocker, a most delightful couple, have continued their tradition of operating the family’s store, specializing in western-wear and coveralls for big and tall men; as well as men and women of any stature. In this store you will find a wide variety of boots (dress, work, and riding) western-wear, general dry goods, handmade porch furniture, fresh meat from their meat counter, gifts for your loved ones, and even Swarovski crystals. Don’t miss Mrs. Blocker’s one-of-a-kind jewelry at the register counter. She makes each piece with tender loving care. While shopping, ask Mr. Blocker for the history of their small community named Kibbee. Learn the funny but true story behind the Kibbee community name, and other interesting facts of the area and the Blocker General Mercantile history. |
 Ailey's first jail - not an outhouse |
17 Ailey, Georgia • County Highway 227 and South Railroad Street • Scenic Montgomery County is home to Ailey, Georgia… which some say is reminiscent of a New England town. From T.A. Blocker’s, continue on Highway 15/29 toward Tarrytown and Soperton. Turn left at the next road — County Highway 227. Follow Co. Hwy 227 along its 7 mile stretch of blue skies, green timber forests and dainty wildflowers to Ailey. Each road that intersects with downtown Ailey meets Highway 280 West, so you can easily explore Ailey. Be sure to look for the original Ailey Jail when you turn left at the downtown intersection. This one-room jail cell once helped keep the peace, and now it maintains its place on the National Register of Historic Places. Continue along South Railroad Street to Highway 280 West—or—continue along County Highway 227 just a few blocks to Highway 280 West. |
 Mount Vernon Communtiy House |
18 WPA Log Cabin (Mount Vernon Community Center) • Highway 280 West Mount Vernon • Ahhhh… back on familiar Highway 280 West! Just past the Mount Vernon Inn & Suites on the left hand side of Highway 280 West, you’ll see another product of the depression-era Works Progress Administration (WPA). This historic hand-built log cabin is now the Mount Vernon Community House, and is always available for special events. Walk around to the back to get a better view of this historic building. |
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19 Brewton-Parker College Campus • Highway 280 • Mount Vernon As you continue down Highway 280, be sure to detour through the campus of Brewton-Parker College. Not only is the campus beautiful, but you’ll also see their latest addition — the New Student Activities Center, which is located just next door to the Saliba Chapel on the far side of the campus. Follow the signs from Louisville Road just off of Highway 280 for the Cooper-Conner House (c. 1798) and the Thompson House (c. 1842). Take a stretch while walking through the grounds of this historic village. The Cooper-Conner House is considered the oldest house in Montgomery County. It was originally built by slave labor on Old River Road by the Dead River (near the fork of the Oconee and Ocmulgee Rivers) in 1779 for Richard Cooper. Cooper was a Revolutionary soldier and was buried in the Dead River Cemetery in 1821. The Cooper-Conner House was once being torn down by hunters to fuel their campfires. It was moved to the Brewton-Parker College campus, and restored with handmade nails, wooden pegs, and hewn with hand axes. The holes in the walls were designed to use guns for protection from Indian attacks if necessary. |
| 20 Oconee River Produce Market • 400 West Carver Street (912) 583-2262 • Mount Vernon • Turn right onto Rabun Street, at the edge of Brewton-Parker College (by Vittles Restaurant) and follow it to the railroad tracks. You’ll see the Oconee River Produce Market just across the tracks. They also have hanging plants and fresh produce. |
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 Montgomery County Courthouse c. 1970-08 courtesy of Gary Doster |
21 Montgomery County Courthouse • Spring Street • Mount Vernon • Follow Highway 280 West to Spring Street, and turn left at the stoplight with T-Byrd’s Shell Station on the corner. Continue driving a few blocks until you see the Courthouse on your left. Stop for a stretch and visit the Veterans of War Memorial in front of the courthouse. Montgomery County was established in 1793, and is the twentieth oldest in the state of Georgia. It was named for Continental Army general Richard Montgomery, who was mortally wounded during the American Revolution in the attack upon British Quebec in 1775. In 1813, Montgomery County was designated a county seat, and the courthouse was built. Despite being originally a wooden structure, this courthouse has never seen a fire—quite amazing since it had four woodburing furnaces and paper-wrapped wiring. The magnificent brick, neoclassical revival structure that you see today was designed by Alexander Blair, and built in 1907. |
 Long Pond United Methodist Church |
22 Scenic Highway 221 • Mount Vernon, Uvalda • At the far corner of the courthouse turn left onto Highway 221. Follow this scenic drive through the country side of Mount Vernon, Uvalda, and Cedar Crossing all the way back into Lyons—or—detour through beautiful Alston back to Vidalia. (See next page for directions of detour.) The nostalgic community of Long Pond is a history buff’s haven. This community was born from the headright grant, back in the days where public domain was turned into private ownership through the headright grant. By meeting certain criteria, a family could be granted 200 acres and up to 50 acres per member or head of their household. They could be granted additional land if the settler promised to build a mill, or other utilitarian structure. Georgia land was pretty much there for the taking at this time. The Long Pond Baptist Church c. 1802, and the United Methodist Church c. 1802 are within walking distance of each other. These are definitely structures to admire for their architecture and stamina to withstand the elements of weather and time. Be sure to take a peek at the Uvalda mural as you approach the intersection of Highway 221 and 135. Also on this corner is a shopping center with the Uvalda Hardware Store and more. Along the way, you’ll find many unique dining establishments, Vidalia Onion farms, and interesting places to stop. Vidalia onions are harvested from the fields by hand between late April/early May and mid-June. Other crops are grown seasonally as well. |
Looking for a detour? The intersection of Highway 221 and 135 provides another route through the city of Alston, back into Vidalia via Highway 130 which becomes Adams Street and intersects with Highway 280 near historic downtown Vidalia. Simply turn left onto Highway 135 at the intersection, follow the signs for Vidalia, and Highway 130. For an overnight stay away from the hustle and bustle, check out the Cotton Patch Inn bed and breakfast. This 5 bedroom, 5 bath intimate, charming inn has a relaxing atmosphere and a hometown feel. Call Mrs. Stephens for reservations at (912) 583-4055.
| 23 Southern Trails Dude Ranch • Lyons • Highway 221 will turn into Highway 56 in Uvalda, as you cross Highway 135. Continue along Highway 56 into Lyons. You’ll go through the scenic countryside and Cedar Crossing. When you approach the intersection of US 1, cross over and continue along 56. The Southern Trails Dude Ranch is located between the communities of Johnson Corner and New Branch. You’ll see its beautiful green pastures on the right. The Southern Trails Dude Ranch has over 100 horses and 500 acres of marked trails. People come from many states to spend the weekends on the ranch, and Mr. Royce Yawn (proprietor) specializes in private horse treaties. Full RV hookups are available, as well as air-conditioned bunkhouses that can accommodate up to 20 people each. This is a great place to spend the weekend with your friends or family. They also offer a week-long on-site summer horse camp for cowboys and cowgirls ages 9-15. For more information on lodging, trail riding, youth camp, or quarterly weekend trail rides/cattle drives, contact the Vidalia Area CVB at (912) 538 8687 or vacvb@bellsouth.net. |
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| 24 Dairy Queen • Lyons • Well… you’ve just about completed our Scenic Loop, and you deserve a cool, tasty treat! After stopping to see the horses at the dude ranch, continue in the same direction on Highway 56, and turn left onto Highway 178 at the blinking light in the New Branch community. Follow scenic Highway 178 back to US 1, and turn right continuing back into Lyons, just a few blocks from where you began. A tall, tasty Dairy Queen treat would hit the spot right about now, wouldn’t it?! |
Thank you for spending your day with us!
The Vidalia Area Convention and Visitors Bureau