Lake Oconee’s hometown, Greensboro is steeped in southern history and tradition, and rich with elegant ante-bellum homes and churches. The historical buildings in the downtown area are filled with enticing wares, featuring antiques, clothing, gifts, and jewelry. Greensboro’s Better Hometown Program sponsors numerous events throughout the year.

Tours of Greensboro and other local historic towns like nearby Madison, which was spared from destruction by Sherman's Army during the Civil War, are happily arranged through our resort Concierge.

Listen to several stories revolving around the history and heritage of Greene County for a self-guided tour of Greensboro. Stories available for download to your mp3 player. 

Believed to be the oldest standing masonry jail structure in the state, the building has remained virtually unchanged since its completion in 1807. the gallows and trap door still remain where prisoners were dropped to their death. The jail with its two foot thick granite blocks was patterned after the Bastille in Paris. It was used until 1895. tours can be arranged with the Greene County Chamber of Commerce by calling 706-453-7592.

Just off the main street of Greensboro, the museum’s collection of artifacts, photographs and manuscripts provide a glimpse of the people and events that shaped Greene County’s beginnings. Open Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and by appointment.

Dr. Calvin M. Barber was the second African American doctor in Greene County. This one-and-a-half story Craftsman Bungalow was built c. 1925 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. Open Tuesday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday by appointment.

The earliest grave is that of a Revolutionary War soldier, Major Jonas Fauche, who was in charge of Greene County military operations during the Creek raids of 1780. Many prominent people of our state’s history have been laid to rest here. Some of those laid to rest are; Governor Peter Early, who served as the governor for Georgia during the height of the Creek War of 1813 to 1814, Revolutionary War soldiers, Jeremiah Sandford who was a neighbor and close friend of George Washington also serving under him in the Revolutionary War during the siege of Yorktown, and forty-five unknown Confederate soldiers. Please stop by the Greene County Chamber of Commerce to pick up a cemetery tour.

The c. 1936 Greensboro Post Office located at 115 South Main Street boasts two of the last remaining Works Progress Administration murals in the United States Postal System. The mural, painted by a WPA artist in 1938, depicts local history from Greensboro’s days as a frontier settlement to the cotton fields of the 1930s. Open daily.

Built circa 1868 by James Brooks Hart, this beautiful home has a tea bush still in the garden that was sent to America by Commodore Perry in 1854. Commodore Perry is known for his negotiations with Japan in 1854 which opened trade with Japan. This house takes its name from the thick Hawthorne hedge that once surrounded the large garden. Drive by tours only.

Remains of a 1793 frontier settlement which became home to Georgia’s first paper mill. Located off Highway 15 on the Oconee River in the Oconee National Forest.

A 2,000 pound structure created by Abbot Pattinson was placed at the University of Georgia in 1954. After repeated pranks and attacks by the students, the sculpture was loaned to an agricultural professor who placed it on his Greene County farm. The iron horse is also rumored to be a symbol for the Order of the Greek Horsemen, a secret University of Georgia society. Membership in the Order of the Greek Horsemen is considered the highest honor a fraternity man at UGA may attain. Alumni include some of the wealthiest and politically connected individuals in the state of Georgia as well as many leaders prominent in business, law, journalism, medicine and government. This iron horse is located in a cornfield on Highway 15 North and can only be seen seasonally.