Polk County: Trails and History

Polk County offers several distinct themes for a stay: trails for different user groups, a golf course, and cultural and historic sites. Cedartown and Rockmart are specific points of interest, for example for the Silver Comet Trail or Prospect Valley Golf Course.

Trails and Other Activities

The Silver Comet Trail is used by cyclists, runners, hikers, inline skaters, and horseback riders for both recreation and commuting. The trail is accessible from downtown Rockmart and Cedartown. In Alabama, it connects with the Chief Ladiga Trail. Access points may change; if you plan to use the trail, check the latest route information.

At Highland Park in Cedartown, one-way trails are marked with route numbers and difficulty ratings. Signs also identify motorcycle and ATV trails. These details help distinguish the designated trails; labels may change, so check the operator’s latest information before planning your visit.

The Pinhoti Trail is also among the trails in the region: a section of this more than 300-mile trail lies in Polk County in the Santa Claus Mountain area. This places part of a long route in the county, while the Silver Comet Trail accommodates multiple types of use, including commuting.

If golf is one of your interests, Prospect Valley Golf Course in Rockmart is another option. It is a public 9-hole golf course. Course details may change; check the latest information before your visit.

Nature and History in Cedartown

The Big Spring has both natural and historical significance. It is a limestone spring and is considered the second-largest of its kind in the southern United States. An average of four million gallons of water flow from the spring each day. Until the early 1800s, the Cherokee used it as a ball field and ceremonial dance ground. The site’s size, water volume, and historical use each give it a distinct connection to the county’s history.

Other stops offer a glimpse into Cedartown’s history. The Cedartown Encampment Removal Site is a historic site certified by the National Park Service and located on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. The Cedartown Commercial Historic District comprises 64 buildings and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. The two sites represent different aspects of the area’s historic heritage: a site on the Trail and a designated historic district with numerous buildings.

The Old Mill was built in 1848 for Asa Prior using enslaved labor. Corn and wheat were milled there until 1945; the mill was in operation for nearly 100 years. The building’s history and purpose make it an example of local industrial history. The Cedartown Mural, in turn, is a collage of well-known buildings and historic sites in Cedartown.

The Polk County Historical Society Museum preserves the history of Polk County; its grounds are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A memorial marker at the Sterling Holloway Birthplace commemorates actor Sterling Holloway, known as the voice of Winnie the Pooh. A map is also available for a self-guided driving tour of historic sites in Polk County. Check whether the map is available before your trip.

Planning Around Your Interests

The Cedartown Welcome Center is located in the depot right on the Silver Comet Trail and has brochures, maps, restrooms, vending machines, and a bicycle repair station. It also features memorabilia from the depot station and a large collection of Sterling Holloway memorabilia. Facilities and exhibits may change; check the latest information if you plan to use a particular amenity.

Once you know which activities you want to shape your stay, you can compare hotel offers in Polk County more closely based on your own travel plans.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Cedartown, Rockmart, Aragon, Troup, Columbia, Towns County, Gordon, Effingham County.

Back to the main travel overview: Georgia.