Thomaston
Around Thomaston
Illustration made for Popchat
Town and around · Georgia · 28k people
Thomaston
Locals say Thomaston-Barnesville
Where the red clay meets the Flint River.
Georgia red clayGolden peachPine forest green
Welcome to Thomaston-Barnesville, where the courthouse squares are the heart of town and the Flint River is our backyard. Whether you're here for the small-town charm or the sweet tea, you'll find a friendly wave and a good story.
Clubs for Thomaston
No clubs for Thomaston yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Thomaston. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Thomaston. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Gordon State College Public college in Barnesville with historic buildings and a lively campus.
- Upson County Courthouse Historic courthouse anchoring Thomaston's square.
- Lamar County Courthouse Another historic courthouse, this one in Barnesville.
- Flint River Major river running through the area, popular for fishing and canoeing.
- Barnesville Depot Historic train depot from the 1800s, now a local landmark.
- Outdoors Fishing on the Flint River
- Outdoors Hiking in pine forests
- With kids Visiting the courthouse square
- With kids Attending high school football games
- Evenings Evening walks on the square
- Evenings Local taverns
- Locals love Small-town diners
- Locals love Barbecue joints
Through the year
- Barnesville Buggy Days October Celebrates the town's buggy-making heritage with a parade, crafts, and food.
- Thomaston Christmas on the Square December Holiday lights, carols, and a tree lighting on the historic courthouse square.
- Upson County Fair September Rides, livestock shows, and local food at the fairgrounds.
- Barnesville Farmers Market Summer Weekly market with local produce, baked goods, and crafts.
Hot, humid summers and mild winters. Best to be out in spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are perfect for being outside—mild temps and low humidity.
Getaways
Local flavour
Rooting for Atlanta Braves (MLB), Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Atlanta United (MLS), Georgia Bulldogs (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Peach cobbler A staple dessert using local peaches.
- Sweet tea The quintessential Southern drink.
- Meat-and-three plates Classic Southern diner style.
- Boiled peanuts A roadside and snack favorite across Georgia.
Where people go
- Historic courthouse squares The social and civic heart of both Thomaston and Barnesville.
- Small-town diners and barbecue joints Where locals gather for comfort food.
- Pine forests and red clay roads The defining natural landscape.
- Flint River banks A local natural landmark for fishing and quiet reflection.
Heritage and traditions
Thomaston and Barnesville take pride in their classic Southern small-town identity—historic courthouse squares, a proud buggy-making heritage, and the natural beauty of the Flint River.
This time of year in Thomaston
- County fair in October October The Upson County Fair is a fall highlight with rides and livestock shows.
- Upson County Fair October A traditional county fair in the fall with rides, livestock shows, and fair food.
- Lamar County Arts Festival Fall An autumn showcase of local artists, musicians, and performers.
Say it like a local: “Bless your heart” — A polite way to express disagreement or pity, often used ironically.
Festivals
- Barnesville Buggy Days September Held in September, this festival celebrates the town's buggy-making history with a parade, arts and crafts, and live music.
- Thomaston Christmas on the Square December A December celebration with lights, carols, and a visit from Santa in the historic courthouse square.
- Upson County Fair October A traditional county fair in the fall with rides, livestock shows, and fair food.
- Barnesville Farmers Market Summer A summer market featuring local produce, homemade goods, and crafts.
- Flint River Cleanup Day Spring A spring volunteer event where locals gather to clean and protect the river.
- Lamar County Arts Festival Fall An autumn showcase of local artists, musicians, and performers.
Landmarks with a story
- Upson County Courthouse A historic courthouse in Thomaston, built in 1908, with a distinctive clock tower and neoclassical design.
- Lamar County Courthouse Located in Barnesville, this courthouse dates to 1907 and anchors the town square.
- Gordon State College Founded in 1852 as Gordon Institute, this public college has a long history, including a military school era.
- Barnesville Depot A restored railroad depot from the late 1800s, reflecting the town's importance as a rail hub.
- Flint River A natural landmark that has shaped the region's history and recreation, with riverbanks used for fishing and canoeing.
Food traditions
- Peach cobbler Georgia's peach harvest inspires this classic dessert, often served warm with vanilla ice cream.
- Sweet tea A Southern staple, brewed strong and sweetened generously, served over ice at every meal.
- Meat-and-three plates A lunch tradition at small diners: one meat (like fried chicken or meatloaf) with three side dishes (collard greens, mac and cheese, etc.).
- Boiled peanuts Green peanuts boiled in salty water, a roadside snack sold at gas stations and farmers markets.
Music and arts
- Southern gospel music Churches and community events often feature gospel singing, a cherished local tradition.
- Quilting Quilting circles and craft fairs keep this folk art alive, with intricate patterns passed down.
A little history
- 1824 Upson County was created
- 1920 Lamar County was established
- Late 1800s Barnesville became a center for buggy manufacturing
- 1852 Gordon Institute (now Gordon State College) was founded
- Early 1900s Thomaston developed as a textile mill town
Rivalries
- Upson-Lee vs Lamar County high school football A heated cross-county gridiron matchup.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Hunting season opener
- Outdoors Fishing on the Flint River
- Outdoors Canoeing the Flint
- With kids Attending high school football games
- With kids Going to the county fair
Locals speak with a classic Southern accent, characterized by a slower drawl, dropped 'g's in words like 'fishin'' and 'huntin'', and the frequent use of 'y'all' as a second-person plural. The tone is warm and polite, with phrases like 'fixin' to' and 'bless your heart' woven into daily conversation.
Only here
- Barnesville is known as the 'Buggy Capital of the South' due to its 19th-century buggy industry.
- The Flint River offers some of the best canoeing and fishing in the region, right in the backyard.
- The courthouse squares are quintessential small-town Georgia, straight out of a movie set.
- Gordon State College has a long legacy as a military school, adding a unique character to Barnesville.
New here? A few tips
- Prepare for hot, humid summers and mild winters; air conditioning is essential.
- Try a meat-and-three plate at a local diner—it's the heart of Southern lunch.
- Visit the courthouse squares in both Thomaston and Barnesville; they're perfect for a stroll.
- Learn to love sweet tea—it's served everywhere and is a local staple.
- If you're here in September, don't miss Barnesville Buggy Days for a taste of local heritage.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Part of Atlanta area
Nearby
Every areaBarnesvilleGeorgiaWhere the buggy days live on and the peaches grow.MaconGeorgiaThe friendly heart of Georgia.LaGrangeGeorgiaA river valley of warm welcomesWarner RobinsGeorgiaPeaches, pecans, and the hum of the flight line.ColumbusGeorgiaWhere the river meets the red clay.AmericusGeorgiaWhere the peanut fields meet a warm Southern welcome.AtlantaGeorgiaWhere Southern charm meets a modern beat.MilledgevilleGeorgiaWhere Georgia's history still lives
Thomaston, GA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.