During the 1820s, the Creek Indians ceded their land to the State of Georgia that would soon include five counties, including Coweta. In 1828, Georgia incorporated Newnan, and nearly 200 years later, holds the county seat. Newnan derives from a North Carolina native, General Daniel Newnan, who later became Georgia’s Secretary of State and a U.S. Congressman.

Newnan prospered during the turn of the century and soon became one of the wealthiest towns per capita in the United States. A railroad line installed through the town brought economic prosperity leading to the establishment of the R.D. Cole Manufacturing sawmill. The sawmill was a leading contractor for many of the historic homes that still stand today. During the Civil War, Newnan’s College Temple was the first college to offer women a Master of Arts degree. The school later served as a hospital for wounded Confederate and Union troops, sparing Newnan from the ravages of war. With Antebellum homes lining the streets after the war, Newnan became known as the “City of Homes.”

Today, Newnan is a bustling small town 35 miles southwest of Atlanta via I-85. The city limits of Newnan feature many excellent schools, including Newnan Crossing Elementary, Lee Middle, Smokey Road Middle, Northgate High, East Coweta High and Newnan High. According to Realtor.com, the median listing home price is $320,000. 

A great place to settle with a growing population of nearly 40,000, Newnan offers local shopping, dining, recreation and historical things to do.

Shopping and Dining

• Meat’N’Greet is an independent, family-owned restaurant specializing in craft burgers, signature salads, hot dogs, wings and smoked meats. Fancy a cocktail? They offer a full-service bar and have a rotation of local beer on tap. Food favorites include Mad Dog 2020 burger, High West burger, Mojo Slaw Dog, Tangle Dog and the VooDoo Chicken Sandwich.
•  A local gem that offers classic, delicious American cuisine, Knife & Stone finds fresh takes on familiar meals like Cordon Bleu, crab cakes, seared red snapper and delectable desserts.
• Grayson’s is a steak and seafood restaurant that takes pride in sourcing its seasonal items locally. With over 20 years of experience cooking in the finest restaurants, this chef is ready to take Newnan by storm. Menu features include Black Grouper, Red Snapper, Maryland Crab Cakes, Seared Duck, Wagyu Strip Steak and many shareable sides.
• Ashley Park is an open-air, mixed-use shopping center that offers various gourmet dining and on-trend shopping options. Some popular shopping found here are Lizard Thicket, The Blushing Brunette Boutique, The Twisted Peach Boutique, DSW, Dillard’s, Torrid and Barnes & Noble. The development features several delicious restaurants for a delectable food break, including Barberitos, La Parilla, Mama Lucia’s, Positano Pizza Napoletana and Tin Drum Asian Kitchen. 
• The first brewery in Newnan, locally owned Abide Brewing Company is famous for its “Coweta Common” Blonde Ale, found on tap in surrounding counties.
• Located a block from the courthouse square in beautiful downtown, Blue Moon Boutique offers a variety of trendy clothing for men and women of all ages. They also offer jewelry, handbags, shoes and home decor items.
• Owned and operated by a local flight attendant, Finley’s Boutique caters to young women who have a passion for fashion! The owner felt that her hometown of Newnan was the right location to open this beloved boutique. Look for the pink door if you ever find yourself downtown!

Entertainment and Recreation

• Newnan Theatre Company (NTC) has been providing live entertainment in downtown Newnan for over 40 years. NTC, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, provides youth programming, improvisational comedy groups, interactive murder mysteries, special events and summer theatre camps for children across the city, thanks to donations from its donors. Past plays include “Annie,” “Into the Woods,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “Noises Off.”
• Greenville Street Park is a two-acre urban park nestled between Greenville Street and LaGrange Street within walking distance of Historic Downtown Newnan. The beautifully designed space is a local gathering place for music concerts, movies on the lawn and other festive events.
• Carl Miller Park is a family-friendly facility featuring multiple pavilions for large gatherings, a walking trail, 32,000 square foot Kids’ Castle Playground, 2,400 square foot Splash Pad, picnic tables and charcoal grills.
• At 2,910 acres, Chattahoochee Bend State Park is one of Georgia’s largest state parks. The park protects fives miles of river frontage and offers over six miles of wooded walking/hiking trails. Campsites are available, as well as three unique cottages for rent.
• A 25-acre floral garden recently salvaged from kudzu and wisteria, Dunaway Gardens boasts five descending terraces. The spaces feature rock walls, slate patios, waterfalls, goldfish ponds, hanging gardens and a one-acre granite outcrop known as Little Stone Mountain. Frequented during the 1930s and 1940s by a cast of colorful visitors, including Walt Disney, the locally treasured green space is home to Minne Pearl for a limited amount of time.
• The LINC is Newnan’s new multi-use path system. It is a 12-foot-wide paved path, a linear park that facilitates recreation, connectivity, and economic development. The park provides residents and visitors with access to bicycle and pedestrian trails, offers an alternative transportation venue, serves recreation needs, and encourages quality of life throughout the Newnan Coweta community.

Historical Attractions

• The battle of Brown’s Mill was fought July 30, 1864, in Coweta county during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War. At Brown’s Mill Battlefield, the defeat of Union soldiers changed the course of the Atlanta Campaign, compelling Sherman to begin his lengthy siege of Atlanta. Since its opening to the public in 2013, the 200-acre speak is home walking, hiking and biking trails.
• Established in 1833, the 60-acre Oak Hill Cemetery is the final resting place for over 250 Civil War soldiers as well as Revolutionary War, World War I and II, Vietnam War and Korean War soldiers. It is also the resting place of two Georgia Governors and several congressmen. Self-guided tour brochures are available at the Coweta County Convention & Visitors Center located in the historic courthouse.
• Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 1904 Classic Revival Courthouse anchors the town square. The 100-foot dome is covered with 13,500 pounds of copper and is now the location of the Coweta County Visitors Center.

Filming

Since Georgia has become the Hollywood of the South, Newnan and surrounding Coweta County towns are the backdrop to many popular movies and television shows, including “Lovecraft Country,” “The Walking Dead,” “The Founder,” “Zombieland,” “Fried Green Tomatoes,” “Lawless” and most recently “The Conjuring 3.”

To learn more about Newnan and all it offers residents and visitors, visit here.