Discover Jasper: History, Marble, and Hotels

When looking for a hotel for a trip to Jasper, it helps to decide in advance what you want to focus on during your stay: Jasper combines history centered around the courthouse square with connections to marble, art, walking paths, and other activities. The different places offer starting points for planning your trip around the topics that interest you most.

History at the Courthouse Square

Downtown Jasper developed around the courthouse square after the town was founded in 1853. The Pickens County Courthouse was built in 1949 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Historical information panels at the building provide details about the founding of the county and the Old Federal Road. The courthouse square thus offers a look at both Jasper's development and the county's history.

Another historical landmark is the Oglethorpe Monument: the 42-foot-tall marble monument honors General James Oglethorpe, the founder of Georgia. The Kirby-Quinton Cabin is next to the Old Pickens County Jail in Jasper and is furnished with 19th-century items. The Marble Museum downtown features an exhibit of fine marble that is open year-round. The Georgia Marble Museum is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; check its hours before your trip.

Art and Theater

The “Learning is Fun” sculpture stands in front of the Pickens County Library. It depicts a child reading to a group of friendly woodland animals. The Rotary Peace Pole is in Roper Park: a 12-foot-tall marble obelisk. The two works make different impressions: the sculpture depicts a story, while the Peace Pole stands out as a marble monument through its material and form.

Tater Patch Players stages performances in Jasper featuring talent from several nearby communities. The group also offers a Summer Drama Camp for school-age children. Since this is a seasonal program, check the current dates before your trip.

Walks and Event Dates

Lee Newton Park has a short 0.3-mile loop and a longer 0.42-mile loop. The 0.12-mile difference offers a concrete comparison to help with your planning. The park also has a stage, a creek, a large open lawn, and restrooms. The Pickens County Visitor Center is located in downtown Jasper, in Lee Newton Park.

The park serves as the venue for the Georgia Marble Festival, held annually on the first full weekend in October. Check the current date before your trip. For a different view of the landscape, visit Burnt Mountain Overlook, which offers views of the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains. On a clear day, the view can stretch 70 miles to Atlanta.

Wine and Cooking Classes

Sharp Mountain Vineyards offers wine tastings and tours in Jasper. Visitors can also picnic at a pavilion. If either of these activities is important to your plans, check current availability before your trip.

Woodbridge General Store in downtown Jasper offers cooking classes. Check current availability if you would like to include a class in your trip plans. These culinary activities complement Jasper's historical, cultural, and scenic attractions.

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