Barnesville is a small community an hour south of Atlanta
In Barnesville, a community of over 6,000 residents, folks tend to look after one another. "Everybody knows everybody, and the good part is they offer a helping hand," says local Realtor Kevin Blosser, owner of Paragon Realty. He grew up in Barnesville and lives in Lamar County with his family today. Whenever tragedy strikes, "the community gathers together for support and makes the best of any difficult situation," he says. "Everybody in the community stepped up when I had an accident." Barnesville's unhurried pace and small-town feel are palpable at community-wide events and locally owned businesses. And Blosser's admiration for his community is generational. "I lived in Barnesville from 1952 to 2020," says his mother, Sophie Blosser. "As a child, you didn't get in trouble because your parents knew about it before you got home. We could go to any store in town, tell the salesperson what we wanted, and walk out with it. At the end of the month, our parents would get an enormous bill. They would always pay it."
Historic homes, farmhouses and new-builds on big lots
Barnesville offers various homes and properties. "There's a good mix of all different kinds of products," Blosser says. "You have a small starter home on a quarter-acre, to an $800,000 home on a 10-acre tract of land." Properties around a quarter-acre mainly sit closer to downtown, but hundreds of homes measure at least 10 acres on the city's outskirts, where Blosser's family owns a 25-acre farm. Styles range from custom farmhouses and mid-century ranch-style homes to historic bungalows and newly built contemporary colonials. Established in 1826, some of Barnesville's original 19th-century homes still stand, and many have been remodeled. Sale prices range from $50,000 for a historic home needing repairs to $800,000 for a new build on a large private lot. "Most people are relocating here from the outskirts of Atlanta because their buying dollar goes farther," Blosser says.
Downtown Barnesville features several local businesses
In downtown Barnesville, light posts and small trees accent red-brick sidewalks, and chalkboards sit out front of restaurants and shops, scribed with specials and sales. "Downtown has been revitalized a lot over the last 15 to 20 years," Blosser says. "Most restaurants here are locally owned and have really good food. There aren't a lot of chains." Pastime Grill is a community staple, according to Blosser. "It's been there forever and has all kinds of different food," he says. Mangia on Main is a popular Italian restaurant with chicken caprese sandwiches, salmon piccata and various pasta options. Giant Mart is along College Street, and several convenience markets are scattered downtown.
Home of the Buggy Days Festival
Downtown Barnesville is a hub of events. The popular Buggy Days Festival is a big celebration of the community's history as the "Buggy Capital of the South" during the 19th and 20th centuries. "All the locals take the kids to the parade, and it's great. It's kind of like a high school reunion," Blosser says. "Even people from out of town will come to enjoy the event and the good food. Everyone loves the funnel cakes." The festival features car shows, cook-offs and live music. The Barnesville BBQ and Blues Festival hosts a food competition where locals sample food and vote for a winner. The event also offers drinks and hosts local bands.
Homes to Lamar County Schools and Gordon State College
Lamar County Schools scores a B-minus on Niche and is based in Barnesville. All four district schools sit on an academic campus southwest of downtown. Lamar County Primary School scores a B-plus on Niche, and Lamar County Elementary School has a B-minus. Lamar County Middle and Lamar County High School both score a B-minus. The high school's JRTOC program offers various after-school activities, including chorus and color guard. Barnesville is also home to Gordon State College, which offers 11 four-year degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in nursing or criminal justice.
Pocket parks and day trips to Indian Springs State Park
A few public parks are spread across Barnesville. Summers Field Park has a sunken-in, multi-use sports field lit by towering field lights. A paved walking path winds around the field toward a pavilion with several picnic tables. The Lamar County Recreation Department hosts much of its recreational athletics at the Ed Taylor Memorial Recreation Complex. The facility features several outdoor sports facilities, including baseball fields, soccer fields and tennis courts. Blosser says many residents also make day trips to nearby state parks. "We just took the kids down to Indian Springs," Blosser says. "They have turkeys and other animals."
Hopping on U.S. 41 to reach Atlanta
Barnesville is a car-dependent community, but the Three Rivers Regional Commission (TRCC) Transit Program offers demand-response rides with 24-hour notice. U.S. Route 41 cuts through the community and reaches Atlanta, about 60 miles away. "It's close enough to Atlanta but far enough that we have farms," Blosser says. "It's about an hour's drive to Atlanta with no traffic." Monroe County Hospital is about 13 miles east in Forsyth, and Middle Georgia Regional Airport is 47 miles away.
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