If you're looking for an afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of Atlanta, Cartersville offers a quaint downtown with a couple interesting oddities.
I don't let a rainy day get in the way of my hunt for roadside attractions. If you're looking for an afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of Atlanta, then Cartersville, Georgia offers a quaint downtown with plenty of shops and eateries as well as a couple interesting oddities.
As you may know, I love anything Coca-Cola related, so I just had to hunt down this sign!
First painted in 1894 by Coca-Cola syrup salesman James Couden, the Coca-Cola advertisement on the side of Young Brothers Pharmacy is considered the world's first outdoor Coca-Cola sign. After that, wall signs began popping up all around advertising Coca-Cola.
The sign has been repainted several times but was restored to its original look in 1994. They had to remove 25 layers of paint to get down to the original sign!
Inside Young Brothers Pharmacy, you can find lots of great Coca-Cola memorabilia.
Pro tip: For the perfect photo op, visit the sign in the morning as the sun illuminates the bright red and white sign from the east.
Just across the street from Young Brothers Pharmacy is Friendship Plaza. The plaza features the only monument known that was erected by a debtor to honor his creditors.
Mark Anthony Cooper, the "Iron King of Georgia", founded the city of Etowah and established the Etowah Manufacturing and Mining Company on the banks of the Etowah River near Cartersville. The operation soon became a massive industrial complex and Etowah's four mile rail line along the banks of the Etowah River, connecting the industrial complex to the main line of the Western & Atlantic Railroad.
But in 1857, Cooper experienced financial difficulties and went $100,000 into debt. Cooper elicited the help of 38 friends to get out of debt and save his enterprise. When the debt was repaid in 1860, he erected a monument of friendship and thanks, with each name of his benefactor inscribed on the monument.
Looking for more roadside attractions? Click here for more Georgia Oddities!
Ready to visit Cartersville, Georgia? Plan your trip with these tips.
Cheers!
Paige
Have you visited Cartersville, Georgia and seen these unique roadside attractions? Let me know in the comment section below!
The post 2 Unique Roadside Finds in Cartersville, Georgia appeared first on Paige Minds The Gap.