Sweetwater Creek State Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sweetwater Creek State Park is a 2,549 acre (10.32 km2) Georgia state park located east of Douglasville in Douglas County. The park is named after Sweetwater Creek which runs through the park. The park features wooded walking and hiking trails, the George Sparks Reservior, an interpretive center, bait shop, and gift shop, as well as the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company.
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[edit] History
The park was founded to protect the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company textile factory and the pristine area around it. The factory opened in 1849 as the Sweetwater Manufacturing Company; it was renamed in 1857 when the factory was sold. The factory stood five floors tall, and produced yarn, thread, and fabric. In 1864, the factory was burned by Union forces led by William Tecumseh Sherman during the Atlanta Campaign. All that remains today is the brick walls and millrace that lead to the factory's waterwheel.
[edit] Facilities
- 2,549 Acres
- 215 Acre Lake
- Visitor Center and Museum
- 2 Fishing Docks
- Playgrounds
- 11 Picnic Shelters
- Group Shelter and BBQ Pit
- Benches along Sweetwater Creek
[edit] Activities
- Hiking, on 9 miles (14 km) of trails in the park
- Lake and stream fishing (electric boat motors only)
- Canoe and Fishing Boat Rental
- Picnicking
- Intrepretive Programs
[edit] Annual Events
- Ruins and Rapids Full Moon Hike (September through December)
- New Manchester Days Festival and Arts & Crafts Show (September)
- A Walk Through Time: Sweetwater Valley 75 Years Ago (September)
