Seniors Seek Out Cartersville

Senior visitors will find Cartersville  within the northwest edge of the Atlanta metropolitan area. The population runs right at 20,000 and today is perhaps one of the oldest inhabited areas in the United States.

What now is known as Cartersville, was inhabited by Indians of the Woodlands era. About 200 BC these Middle Woodland Indians began to flourish in northwest Georgia. Today archeologists refer to this group as the Cartersville Culture. Eventually they adopted ceremonies and beliefs from a larger group centered in the Ohio River Valley known as the Hopewell Culture.

Cartersville was known as Birmingham to its original English settlers. The town was incorporated as Cartersville in 1854. The present name is for Colonel F. Carter. Cartersville was designated the seat of Bartow County in 1867 following the destruction of Cassville by Sherman in the American Civil War. Cartersville was incorporated as a city in 1872. The Etowah River runs nearby and adds to the town’s scenic charm.

 Seniors Checkout Downtown Cartersville

Downtown Cartersville is small but quite historic, which is what makes this small town one seniors will want to visit. The Grand Theatre holds shows for several schools and companies, such as the Steps of Faith Dance Company and Cartersville City Ballet. Downtown Cartersville has annual Christmas parades and monthly car shows. Georgia Highlands College is located in Cartersville.

The Tellus Science Museum is a world-class 120,000 square foot museum located in Cartersville. Senior visitors can check out the 80 foot-long Apatosaurus and a replica a Wright flyer.

I’d want to visit the Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site in Cartersville. The area was home to several thousand Native Americans from 1000 A.D. to 1550 A.D. The 54-acre site protects six earthen mounds, a plaza, village site, borrow pits and defensive ditch.

Etowah Mounds is the most intact Mississippian Culture site in the Southeast  and showcases ceremonial mounds that date from 1,000-1,500 A.D. Artifacts in the museum show how natives of this political and religious center decorated themselves with shell beads, paint, complicated hairdos, feathers and copper ear ornaments.

 Seniors Find Character And Charm in Cartersville

Head into Downtown Cartersville for charming boutiques and memorable local restaurants. Visits to the Smithsonian Affiliates Booth Western Art Museum and Tellus Science Museum, Bartow History Museum, Rose Lawn Museum and as mentioned above, the Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site are a must. The Booth Western Art Museum rates #1 with TripAdvisor.

The Cartersville Downtown Development Authority is highly visible and they note that “whether you are a first time visitor to Downtown Cartersville, or have lived here for years, you are invited to explore dozens of colorful shops and a variety of fine restaurants, from southern flavor to fine dining.

Learn about the local history at Bartow History Museum and See America’s Story at Booth Western Art Museum; attend outstanding performances at the Grand Theatre and Legion Theatre. Or simply take a walk or drive through historic neighborhoods.”

Senior visitors are invited to enjoy the character that Cartersville, Georgia offers. Located in the former Train Depot, let the Cartersville Welcome Center welcome you to this charming town.

I leave you today with a tribute to small town Cartersville. No charge for the music on this video. -jeb