From the renovated courthouse to the Ocmulgee-Piedmont Scenic Byway, which begins in downtown Gray, the city offers several starting points for a trip combining local history, golf and scenery. When looking for a vacation rental in Gray, you can first decide which of these interests you want to shape your stay.
School History and Notable Places in Gray
The Jones County Education Museum in the W.E. Knox Civic Center, at 161 West Clinton Street, features three eras of school classrooms, from early one-room schools to classrooms from the late 20th century. The renovated Jones County Courthouse was built in 1905 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The educational history of Gray Elementary and High School is also part of the town’s story. It was a school for Black students in Jones County. Under the leadership of James Russell Collins, its curriculum was expanded to cover grades one through twelve. The former Jones County High School building was designed by architect Ellamae League (1899–1991); it was built in 1936 and converted into the Jones County Civic Center. The center houses the Jones County Auditorium and other spaces for public and community purposes.
Main Street Station houses the Gray Welcome Center. The former ambulance building at the corner of Highway 129 and Atlanta Road was restored in 2015 and returned to its original 1950s style. The Otis Redding Memorial was unveiled next to the station in 2016. An interactive panel offers a selection of the musician’s songs; check before your trip to see whether the interactive feature is working. If you plan to visit the Welcome Center, check the latest visitor information.
Butler Hall Events, a venue for weddings, corporate events and community celebrations, is also located in downtown Gray. These places offer different points of interest: school and architectural history alongside music history and contemporary event spaces.
Golf and the Ocmulgee-Piedmont Scenic Byway
The public Lake Jonesco Golf Course is an 18-hole course open year-round. From the back tees, it measures 6,544 yards; three sets of tees are available for different skill levels. The course has a driving range and offers club and golf cart rentals. If you plan to use these facilities, check current availability and operating details before your visit.
A quarterly Family Day gives children accompanied by a parent the opportunity to play golf for free. Since dates and conditions may change, it is advisable to check the details for the relevant event in advance. The quarterly Family Day can be a reason in its own right to include the golf course in your travel plans.
The Ocmulgee-Piedmont Scenic Byway offers a different perspective: It begins in downtown Gray on Highway 11, passes through several communities to Round Oak-Juliette Road, and ends at the Ocmulgee River in Juliette. The Battle of Sunshine Church took place along the route in 1864 during the American Civil War. The byway also passes through Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge, home to many endangered wildlife species. For those interested in the road’s history, Highway 11 was once a Native American trail.
More History and Nature Nearby
Jarrell Plantation offers another historical point of interest. The site includes more than 20 authentic plantation buildings and structures from the 19th and early 20th centuries; its history dates back to 1847. The half-mile history trail passes interpretive panels about the two historic farms and more than 100 years of Georgia history.
The Old Clinton Historic District is nearby, but not in downtown Gray. It includes houses and public buildings from the early 19th century that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Also nearby, the four-mile Hitchiti Nature Trail is a loop that follows Little Falling Creek to the Ocmulgee River. In Griswoldville, historic markers commemorate the preserved site of the Civil War Battle of Griswoldville.
Gray brings together interests that can be weighted differently when choosing a destination: local history and memorials, golf, and a route with scenic and historical connections. Nearby historical and natural attractions expand the options without prescribing a set itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Wadley
Go to the broader travel overview: Jefferson County.
