The Ocmulgee River flows through Pulaski County and right through the heart of Hawkinsville. The river is used year-round in the county for boating, floating, and fishing. Alongside these river activities, Hawkinsville’s historic buildings are what especially define the destination. As you explore, you can focus on two distinct themes: nature and water experiences, and architecture and local history.
The Ocmulgee River and Its River Landscape
Mile Branch Park covers 25 acres and is located on the Ocmulgee River. Its amenities include nature trails, picnic shelters, and a playground. The park has two concrete boat ramps for river access. The park also offers tent camping, hot showers, restrooms, and electrical and water hookups. If you are interested in botany, the nature trail, with 59 labeled tree species, is a special highlight of the park.
Veterans' Riverfront Memorial Park offers another perspective on the river, with views of the Ocmulgee River. The park is just a few minutes’ walk from downtown Hawkinsville. You can combine the river views with a visit to the nearby downtown area.
Hawkinsville’s Historic Buildings
The county’s founding is also part of its historical context: Pulaski County was formed from Laurens County in 1808. The Hawkinsville Commercial and Industrial Historic District includes 98 contributing buildings. Its period of historical significance extends from about 1830 to 1954. Its significance reflects Hawkinsville’s role as a regional commercial and industrial center, as well as the transition from the cotton economy to peanut processing.
The individual buildings showcase a range of architectural and historical features. The Pulaski County Courthouse is a Neoclassical brick-and-stucco building. Originally built in 1874, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural significance. If you are interested in architectural history, the Merritt-Ragan House features design elements of the Classical Revival and Queen Anne Victorian styles; it dates to 1840.
Taylor Hall is a two-story plantation house in the Greek Revival style. Originally built in 1825, it was moved to its current location in Hawkinsville around 1836 and rebuilt there. St. Thomas African Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1908 as a brick church in the Folk Victorian style. Its listing on the National Register of Historic Places recognizes both its importance to African American history and its architecture.
Historic Tours and Special Places
The Hawkinsville Historical Driving Tour is a self-guided tour of historic homes and buildings in Pulaski County. The tour includes the downloadable “Come Home to Hawkinsville” app, available from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. As you explore Hawkinsville’s historic architecture, you can include the self-guided driving tour in your plans alongside visits to individual buildings.
For a broader regional perspective, take the 65-mile Enduring Farmlands Georgia Scenic Byway. It passes through Hawkinsville and other historic towns in Pulaski and Wilcox Counties. By including the byway in your travel plans, you can look beyond individual buildings and explore several historic places in the region.
Hawkinsville’s distinctive character also includes the Hawkinsville Harness Training Facility. It is Georgia’s only Standardbred harness racing training center. The facility includes a one-mile red clay track and a half-mile all-weather track. This lets you distinguish between the two training tracks by their length and surface type.
Discover more destinations: Hawkinsville, Spalding, Douglas, Gordon, Pike County, Terrell County, Pickens, Liberty County.
For the broader travel overview: Georgia.
