Lindale, Georgia, isn’t a place that would typically attract tourists. Still, it is a small town rich in history and has a strong sense of community. Lindale is located just outside of Rome, Georgia. It is an area that, at one time, was a thriving mill community. It has undergone many changes over the years and is still changing thanks to people that love the community. Lindale has so much history that it would be impossible to include it all in one post. Instead, I will highlight what the town is like now.
I was born in the same house my parents live in today. It is just outside of Lindale. Though the address may say Rome, I have always considered myself to be from Lindale. I have never moved out of the Lindale and Silver Creek communities. Even though I want to see the world, my roots run deep, and I will always return to Lindale.
On the other hand, my husband is a Coosa boy who has lived all over the country. It just happens that he is living in my world now. Lindale’s history has always intrigued me, and some fantastic historians live in the Lindale area.
The Pepperell Mill was once the community center. It thrived as a common thread connecting everyone in the area for many years until it closed in 2001. Today much of the mill is torn down, and what remains has been turned into a venue.
The Old Brick Mill is one of the oldest structures in Lindale. It was built around 1830. It was one of the first structures built in Lindale. It is just across from where the mill stood and on the same property as Lindale First Baptist Church. It makes an excellent backdrop for pictures. There are ducks in the creek that runs by the mill, and there is a food dispenser with duck food. There is also a swing to sit in. The fantastic people working hard to improve the Lindale community have provided this to the community.
Next to the remains of the mill is Gilbreath Center. It has a walking track, basketball court, tennis courts, baseball fields, a gymnasium with a community center, football practice fields, a picnic area, and a playground. It also has a creek that runs through it. It has met the needs of the community for over 20 years. It sits in the middle of Lindale and is easily accessed.
Silver Creek is a community that is situated right next to Lindale. During the summer, Silver Creek is a famous swimming hole. Silver Creek runs through the Silver Creek area and Lindale. There are several places along Silver Creek that people swim in. I haven’t gotten in the water in years, but I can tell you that it is the coldest water you will find anywhere around.
One of my favorite traditions is Christmas time in Lindale. Every Christmas, a star hung between the stacks at the mill. And every year since 2014, there has been a ceremony for the star lighting. There is a Christmas parade and vendors set up. It has become a lovely yearly tradition. The Pepperell High School Band plays in the parade, and the choruses from Pepperell schools sing Christmas songs. It is a wonderful family event.
The Silver Creek Christmas Tree Farm has been a significant part of Christmas’ throughout my life. My parents have always cut their trees for Christmas. Even though I don’t cut a tree for my house, I still tag along and help them pick the perfect tree.
The newest addition to the Lindale Community is the Train Viewing Platform. It is designed to be a place to view the many trains that pass through Lindale. There are a lot of train enthusiasts around Rome and the surrounding areas that will be able to take unobstructed photos or videos of the trains from the Train Viewing Platform.
Lindale is not a place that I would call a tourist attraction, but it is home. It is a laid-back community where people are trying to preserve its history. It is where I grew up, and my kids are growing up. It is where generations of families have called home. It is a community that still comes together for Friday Night Football games where they shoot a cannon when the Dragons get a touchdown, and the Dragon breathes fire. It is a place of tradition. It is my home.
Check out Tim Reynolds’s Articles on Lindale, Georgia How Lindale Got Its Name and Restoration of the Lindale’s Cemetery.
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Erin, I don’t know you but thanks for this great article on Lindale. I’ve lived here, same house, for 57 years. This little community is dear to my heart. To me it’s a very close version of Mayberry.
My parents were from Lindale, spent much time there as a kid, still have releatives there (some own the Silver Creek Christmas Farm) – love that you shared this history, thank you
My husband is related to someone that is connected to the Silver Creek Christmas Tree Farm. Small world. That’s awesome!
Great article and pictures Erin!! Thanks so muchfor the sweet tribute to our home town!
What a wonderful blog! Please keep this articles coming.
Hello. My name is Ginny Barnett. I’m a great-great-granddaughter of Larkin Barnett and I live in Norfolk, VA. My brothers and our first cousins in Virginia are the only descendants still bearing the Barnett name. All his other male descendants eventually had only girls or were childless.
On June 30th of 2018, you published a story by Tim Reynolds about how Lindale got its name; with that story was a photo or drawing of the Larkin Barnett plantation. I was wondering if it would be possible to get a copy of the original of that photo. I’m putting together the story of Larkin’s life, and never had any clue that an image existed of his plantation. The photo would be a terrific addition to the story, which I hope to submit to your paper or the Rome Genealogical Society. If you could help me with this, I would be happy to pay for your time and effort. If Tim Reynolds no longer wants the photo, I would be tickled pink to have it.
Thank you for considering my request. – Ginny Barnett
Thank you for your comment. I will get your request to Tim and maybe you can come to an agreement. Also, thank you for reading my Blog!
We share Larkin Barnett as an ancestor. I am a descendant of his daughter, Rosa. I would love to share family notes.
Your Texas cousin, J.
As a descendant of Larkin Barnett, I found your article about Lindale very interesting. I would like to share a any additional information you might have. Also I noticed the comment from Ginny Barnet and would like with her family history.
All the best,
J. Turner
Loved your article…..and I STILL love Lindale! I was born at home in LINDALE in 1932 and lived there for the next 19 years. My Dad was one of the managers in the mill and passed away in 1951. So our family moved to Rome. However, after school and the Army I moved to Huntsville. Al and worked with NASA until my retirement. But I am from LINDALE. Rod Moak