Kingston, Georgia is a small, close-knit community just off the beaten path. It is centrally located between Rome, Adairsville, and Cartersville. Its small main street and historic buildings make it seem like Kingston was frozen in time. It was established in 1850 as a railroad town and has played a crucial role in the history of Northwest Georgia. So take a stroll through history in Kingston, Georgia.
One Saturday morning, my husband and I decided to check out the Kingston area. We recently learned that Kingston has an extensive antebellum history proudly displayed in historical markers and sites throughout the area. There are two museums in the heart of the community: The Kingston Women’s History Museum and the Kingston Confederate Museum.
The museums are located next to each other in the central part of Kingston. Across from the museums, you can see the Fire Station and a Ball Field.
We were not able to visit the museums because of Covid-19 restrictions. Even though the museums were closed, we could still find out so much about the history of Kingston through signage that tells the location and history of buildings and documents events in a straightforward way. Numbers on a map marked historical sites. Using these markers, we created our walking tour of the surrounding area.
Behind the museums, you will find this arch. The Women’s History Club erected it in November 1912. It marks the entrance to Kingston City Park. The park’s land was once owned by the Western and Atlantic Railroad. It is located behind where the train depot once stood and served as a parking lot for horses and horse-drawn carriages. Every town throughout Georgia has a similar connection that can be traced back to the importance of the railroads. Kingston is no different. Kingston played a crucial role in the Civil War and the Great Locomotive Chase. You can read more about the Great Locomotive Chase in my blog post about Adairsville, Georiga.
In 2007, the Kingston Veterans Monument was constructed to honor veterans. It lists the names of all the Kingston Veterans that have served in the military during wartime.
During our town tour, we saw several signs that pointed out different historical sites. This monument marks the spot of the Wayside Hospital that treated more than 10,000 soldiers during the Civil War.
Churches seem to be on every block throughout the town. This is also a true southern tradition. The churches served as community centers for each small neighborhood during the 1800s and early 1900s before the automobile transformed the countryside. The Kingston Methodist Church was the only church that Union General Sherman left standing after his march through the area toward Atlanta and Savannah. Afterward, the church opened its doors to all denominations and welcomed everyone. It also served as the schoolhouse for Kingston.
After walking around and looking at the downtown historical markers and signs, we hopped in the car. We drove to Queen Chapel Independent Methodist Church. There we found the Kingston Confederate Cemetery.
Kingston holds the oldest Confederate Memorial Day service each April. The first Memorial Day, also known as Decoration Day, was observed in Kingston in late April 1865 and has been a continuous observance in Kingston since that day, the only such record held by any community in this nation. The first Memorial Day was observed while Union troops still occupied the town, and flowers were placed on both Confederate and Union graves that day. The graves are for unknown Confederate and Union Soldiers. Some of the graves were relocated from Barnsley Gardens when the grounds were no longer suitable and could not be repaired.
Behind the Queen’s Chapel Independent Methodist Church is a monument erected to honor former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Great-Great-Great-Grandmother, Melvinia Shields. Known to locals as Mattie McGruder, she was born into slavery and eventually became a midwife in Kingston.
Just outside of downtown Kingston, you will find Kingston Downs, where the Georgia Steeplechase at Kingston Downs is held each year. It is a southern tradition where thousands of people gather to spend a social day at the races. It is an event that takes every southerner back to their roots and fuels every equestrian’s dream.
You will find the Barnsley Gardens Resort on the other side of Kingston. It is a modern-day luxury resort that surrounds the ruins of a once magnificent Manor Home. The home was built in 1840 by an Englishman, Mr. Godfrey Barnsley, for his wife. His wife died, however, before the house was finished. Sometime later, Barnsley felt the presence of his wife urging him to complete the house for himself and his kids.
During the Civil War, the house was ransacked by Union soldiers. Mr. Barnsley then moved to New Orleans and lived there until his death. His descendants continued to live in the manor until 1906 when a tornado blew the roof off. Afterward, the property was left deserted, and the main house collapsed.
In 1988 Prince Hubertus Fugger purchased the estate and began to stabilize the ruins and restore the gardens. Today, the estate is a luxury resort that offers many outdoor activities. It has two restaurants and an outdoor Beer Garden.
Winters at Barnsley Gardens are magical. There are fire pits and heaters outside in front of the Beer Garden. You can sip hot cocoa or coffee, or have a beer and enjoy the warmth of the fire. It is quite romantic. At Christmas time, the house ruins are beautifully lit and festive. Our family tries to drive out there at least once a year. It is always so beautiful.
Kingston has a lot to discover. Within a few hours, we could tour the downtown Kingston area and learn more about its history. A trip to Barnsley is a beautiful day trip and a great place to relax for the weekend. I recommend visiting Kingston, Georgia, and joining the historians, visitors to Barnsley Resort, and the participants of Georgia’s Steeplechase who discover and enjoy Kingston’s legacy.
Does Kingston, Georgia hold a special place in your heritage or history? Tell us about it in the comments below!
My ancestors are from Kingston, GA. They are the Young family that owned a grist mill many years ago. I have been told several stories of my great grandmother watching Henry Ford and Martha Berry riding up and down the road that leads to Barnsley Gardens. I am trying to piece my family history together for my sons. Thank you for articles like this!
That is so neat. I’m glad you enjoyed the article. I learned so much about Kingston when we were writing it. It is such a neat town with a beautiful history.
My father’s family–the Young family–lived in Kingston, GA. Playing on the family farm during the 1950s is a memory I cherish. My first published novel, A Gathering of Eagles, is set primarily in Kingston during Christmas of 1919. It is available on Amazon.
That’s interesting. I will have to go to Amazon and get your book. Thank you for sharing.
My ancestors (Reynolds/Moore) were from Kingston and I recently spent time there. Had lunch at Barnsley but my next trip would live to explore the ruins. I hope to be back soon.
Veterans Monument Was estimated from my cousins Nellie Margaret idea.
She has a state placement sign next to it starting that she had that done for the veterans of Kingston ga.
Check the sign out next time you are in Kingston
My great-great-grandparents are buried in Kingston Cemetery. My great-great-grandfather, William Wesley Campbell, died in 1898 in an accident at the Kingston flour mill.
There are historic buildings behind my apartment here in Kingston Georgia.
I grew up in Kingston and the property I lived on has Alot of history in Kingston. In the 1800’s the house I lived in was the post office for Kingston and they would have the mail on a bag and hang it on the post where the train could pick it up and deliver it. The property is at Two Run Creek and it had its own town name called Cave Ga. Kingston was the capital of GA. before Atlanta was. Their was also a corn mill a cotton gin, a bootlegger and a general store. Also has a wine cellar under the house. I have Alot of memories of the land their.
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