Macon Facts
Fact 1: Amazing, but true! Only one building in Macon was damaged by General Sherman's troops as they marched to the coast. It was the Old Cannonball House. The damage was inflicted by a cannonball that crashed through one of the columns and the front wall then came to a rest in the entry hall of the home. What's even more interesting is that the cannonball still sits there today!
Fact 2: Macon is home to Georgia's Sports Hall of Fame. The 43,000 square foot building is the largest state sports Hall of Fame in the United States. Exhibits in the museum honor heroes from the state's top high school, collegiate, professional and amateur sports. Two of the more well known honorees are Hank Aaron and Fran Tarkenton.
Fact 3: A Celebration – Southern Style! Declared as the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World by the Japanese Consulate General, Macon has more cherry blossoms than anywhere in the world. 236,000 flowering Yoshino cherry trees to be exact – but who's counting? The International Cherry Blossom Festival, held in late March through early April, is a Top 100 event in North America.
Fact 4: Need some spiritual healing? You should have no problem in Macon! There are more churches, per capita, in Macon than in any other city in the United States!
Fact 5: For a real tribute to American theater, visit the historic Douglass Theatre. Built by Charles Douglass, an African-American entrepreneur, the theatre was the premier movie theatre and vaudeville hall for African-Americans. The theatre eventually became very important in the advancement of African-American film writers. Famous musicians including Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Little Richard, Otis Redding and James Brown have performed in the Dougalss Theatre.
Fact 6: Go back in time at the Ocmulgee National Monument. Home to fascinating Indian Mounds, this monument is a memorial to the ages of man in this corner of the North American continent. There is evidence here of 12,000 years of human habitation.
Fact 7: Take me out to the Ballgame ... formerly home to Class A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, the Macon Braves and the Macon Peaches, is now the home to the Macon Music of the South Coast League. Check out some history while you're there ... Luther Williams Field is third oldest municipal baseball park in the United States.
Fact 8: Just gimme some of that rock 'n roll music ... or any other kind for that matter! The Georgia Music Hall of Fame features a potpourri of music, lights and laser videos. Many famous musicians got their start in Georgia, including Otis Redding, Jr. He was discovered in the Saturday talent shows at Macon's Douglass Theatre.
Fact 9: More than 50 sites in Macon are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The most recognized is a home known as the Hay House, one of the finest antebellum mansions to weather the Civil War. This Italian Renaissance Revival Style home took 4 years to build and covers 18,000 square feet. Built somewhere around 1855, this house was considered way before its time – complete with indoor bathrooms, hot and cold running water, heating and ventilation system, room to room intercom and elevator.
Fact 10: Do you see the light? Take a tour into Macon's Intown Neighborhood and enjoy the splendor of North America's only after-dark illumination tour – Lights on Macon ... Historic Intown features more than 30 architectural treasures dramatically lit to display its antebellum characteristics.
