Newnan

History of Newnan, GA

Named for General Daniel Newnan, the Newnan became a city in 1828 and has been the county seat for Coweta County ever since. The area had a big cotton industry, but it also became a mecca for doctors, lawyers, and other professionals. During the Civil War, it served as a hospital city for troops, and unlike most of the Atlanta area, General William Sherman and the Union Army spared it form burning. This is why Newnan has one of the most attractive and extensive historic districts in Georgia.

Quick Facts

• Population: 35,000
• Between 2000 and 2010, Newnan doubled in size, growing from a population of over 16,000 to over 33,000.
• Many notable people are from Newnan, including former Georgia Governor Ellis Arnall, author Lewis Grizzard, country music singer Alan Jackson, and NFL stars Keith Brooking, Drew Hill, and Alec Ogletree.
• Newnan is also a popular destination for Hollywood film crews. The Walking Dead, October Road, Drop Dead Diva, and I’ll Fly Away are just a few of the TV shows filmed here. Movies like Fried Green Tomatoes, Zombieland, and Pet Sematary Two were also filmed in town.
• Newnan is home to campuses for Mercer University, West Georgia Technical College, and The University of West Georgia.
• Some of Newnan’s top employers are Georgia Power Company, Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corp, Transcontinental Pipeline, Atlanta Gas Light Company, and Bellsouth Telecommunications.

Demographics

The median age for Newnan residents is around 33 years old, while the average household income is around $52,000. Well over 35 percent of all homes have children under the age of 18 making Newnan a family-friendly location.

Local Attractions

The only way to describe the attractions in Newnan is to say it’s where the old world meets the modern world. The city has a popular historic district that attracts visitors from all over the Southeast. It’s also a great place for residents to take a walk, grab a bite to eat, or shop. If you crave modern conveniences, Newnan offers plenty of those, too. It is quickly becoming a shopping hub for the South Metro area.

Dining

• The Cellar – For fine dining in Newnan, you have to try The Cellar. The chophouse has a unique menu with both delicious steaks and wild game. Where else will you find grass-fed kangaroo in the area? All of the food is fresh, and vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are available.
• Ten East Washington – Ten East Washington serves dinner only with a bar on Friday and Saturday and brunch every first Sunday of the month. The restaurant and tapas bar has been called one of “South’s Metro’s hidden culinary gems” by Atlanta magazines, and others have compared it to several world-famous Buckhead restaurants. The establishment serves “Southern hospitality with European flare.”
• The Redneck Gourmet – The Redneck Gourmet has been a Newnan staple for years, and it has earned its fair share of recognition from local and even national media for being a fine place to eat. Whether you order a country ham biscuit for breakfast, Brunswick stew for lunch, or a catfish plate for dinner, you will find yourself coming back for more.
• Fried Tomato Buffet – If you are looking for great downhome Southern cooking with excellent service in a casual atmosphere, look no further than Fried Tomato Buffet. Don’t expect any frills. This places makes you feel like you are back home in your grandmother’s kitchen with portions so big you’ll have to get a doggy bag.
• Sprayberry’s Barbecue – Newnan is home to its fair share of barbecue joints, but few have the reputation that Sprayberry’s does. Locals have been eating here for decades, and the food just keeps getting better. Friendly staff, hefty portions, and a family-friendly atmosphere make the meal that much better.

Transportation

• Xpress Bus – Commuters can ride an Xpress bus from Newnan into Downtown or Midtown Atlanta Monday through Friday. The Downtown bus makes six daily morning and afternoon trips, while the Midtown bus makes four morning and seven afternoon trips.
• Interstate 85 – Interstate 85 runs from Alabama to Virginia and right through Newnan. It’s one the easiest and quickest ways for commuters to get to Atlanta.
• Airports – Newnan is about 30 miles southwest of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. It is the busiest airport in the world. The much smaller Newnan-Coweta County Airport in Newnan is available for private charters.

Shopping

• Ashley Park – The beautiful open-air mall, Ashley Park, debuted in Newnan in 2006, and it is now a top shopping destination for the South Metro area. It is home to stores like Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Belk, Dillard’s, Ulta, American Eagle, Yankee Candle, and more. After a day of shopping, you can enjoy a movie at its theater, or relax at restaurants like Five Guys, La Parrilla, Thai Heaven, or Mama Lucia’s.
• Downtown Newnan – If you prefer to shop local and support small businesses, or you just enjoy finding antiques and other treasures, head to Downtown Newnan. You can shop for clothing for the entire family, antiques and home décor to spruce up your new house, art, gifts, and so much more.
• Newnan Pavilion and Newnan Crossing – Newnan Crossing and Newnan Pavilion sit just across from each other on Bullsboro Drive, and together, they feature all of the big box stores and restaurants you could ever need. The shopping centers are home to Walmart, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Babies R Us, JCPenney, Ross, Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts, Kohl’s, Academy Sports + Outdoors, PetSmart, Old Navy, Target, Starbucks, Red Lobster, Wendy’s, and more.

Entertainment, Nightlife & Things To Do

• Chattahoochee Bend State Park – The nearly 3,000-acre Chattahoochee Bend State Park is one of the largest parks in Georgia. It sits along 5 miles of the Chattahoochee River and provides a great spot for campers, hikers, boaters, fishers, and picnickers to enjoy a day or a weekend in the warm Newnan sun.
• Dunaway Gardens – Newnan is home to Dunaway Gardens, a beloved rock and flower garden that once served as a theatrical training ground. When it first opened in 1934, everyone from Minnie Pearl to Walt Disney was a fan. Today, it is a popular spot for tourists and weddings, particularly during the spring and summer when everything is in bloom.
• Junction Lanes Bowling Center – If you and your family are in search for a fun night out on the town, you have to check out the Junction Lanes Bowling Center. There’s more to it than just bowling, however. It has a restaurant, a bar for mom and dad, an arcade, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, and cosmic bowling.
• Tour of Homes – Newnan has a large historic district, and there is no better way to spend a spring or fall afternoon than taking a self-guided walking tour through its tree-lined streets. With a nickname like the “City of Homes,” you can only imagine how beautiful the architecture is. Just stop by the Coweta County Visitors’ Center to pick up a brochure that will lead you to over 50 destinations.
• The Centre for Performing & Visual Arts of Coweta County – From summer camps to theater and musical performances, there is always something going on at the family-friendly Centre for Performing & Visual Arts of Coweta County. The theater seats 1,000 people and features an art gallery, lecture halls, and dressing rooms.

Real Estate Information

Because most of Newnan survived the Civil War, you will find many historic homes in the area, ranging from smaller bungalows to large Victorians. On the other hand, since the population has more than doubled since 2000, you will also find an assortment of new construction, ranging from entry-level split-foyer homes to larger four-sided brick traditional homes. In other words, there is something for everyone here.

Average Price of Homes

You can find a home in Newnan to fit almost any budget, ranging from five-figure fixer uppers to million-dollar estates. However, the majority of homes fall between the $100,000 and $400,000 range. The median sales price for spring 2015 was $165,000.