Day Trip to LaGrange

Our time in Georgia is short and we’re trying to squeeze in as many trips as possible. This past weekend we took a day trip to the small town of LaGrange, Georgia.  My main motivation was to see Hills & Dales Estate, a historic home and garden. 

An interesting history note, LaGrange was defended during the American Civil War by a volunteer women’s auxiliary know was the Nancy Harts.  Eventually the Nancy Harts formed an official surrender for the city but because of their tactics and negotiations most of the homes in the city were spared from destruction.  Yay, girl power!  

As we pulled up, we noticed a Zumba class taking place in the middle of the downtown square.  Yep, I was liking this city already!

Of course, the first thing we did was eat!  Hungry kids + hungry mom = no fun.

We ate at Mighty Joe’s Pizza (101 LaFayette Pkwy).  We ordered by the slice and the slices were HUGE.  I can’t remember what I ordered exactly but it had feta, sundried tomatoes, ham and pineapple on it.  It sounded so bizarre that I had to try it.  Then we had dessert at Sugarmeyer’s Sweet Shop & Ice Cream Parlor (2 East LaFayette Square).  

Yum!

Next we headed to Bellevue, one of the homes saved during the Civil War, but unfortunately our tour guide was a little too busy to help us.  And by busy, I mean, this 70-something old man was stripped down to his undies sunning himself in the rocker on the front porch. It was hilarious! We came back later, when he was dressed, but he wouldn’t let us in because of the kiddos.  What we saw of it, it is a beautiful home. 

But, the highlight of the trip was Hills & Dales Estate. In 1841, Sarah Ferrell took her Mother’s garden and expanded it into a lovely garden with fountains, hedged walking paths and many flowers and trees, and it became known as “Ferrell Gardens.”  The garden was open to the community and many couples “courted” in the garden (I had so much fun imagining that when we walked through the gardens).  In time, the Callaway family inherited the garden and cared for and expanded it, and later added an enormous Italian-style villa next to the garden.

It was a beautiful, sunny day and the garden was magnificent. Even the kids had fun!