Royston & Franklin Springs 1
Your Smile Is Your Logo Your Smile is Your Logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling after having an experience with you becomes your trademark.
Left to Right: Lesa Hart, Dental Assistant; Patsy Manley, Front Office; Dr. Chanda Bennett; Paula Bennett Tyner, RDH-Office Manager; Ashley Bridges, RDH; Rachel Scoggins, RDH
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Table of Contents ExploreGeorgia.org .........................5 Royston: A town in 3 counties ................................................6
A school in the middle of town ............................................... 28 A community that cares ............. 30
Franklin Springs: A growing College Town ......................................8
Emmanuel: the heart of a college town ................................. 32
Welcome to the area .....................10
A place to relax near campus .................................... 35
The final resting place of a legend .........................................12
A visit to the wilderness ............. 36
A Georgia Peach of a museum ..........................................14
Celebration throughout the year .............................................. 38
A diverse downtown .....................16
Clubs and organizations ............ 40
Follow the quilt squares ..............18
Utilities ..............................................41
Expanding downtown ..................19
Just the facts... Franklin Springs ........................... 42
An opportunity for business ..................................... 20
Just the facts... Royston ............... 44
A variety of parks .......................... 22
Advertiser Index ............................ 46
A beautiful home for the library ....................................... 26
Important numbers ..................... 46
This magazine is a publication of the Franklin County Citizen Leader, in cooperation with the cities of Royston and Franklin Springs. A digital copy of this magazine may be accessed at franklincountycitizen.com.
Royston & Franklin Springs 3
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Exploregeorgia.org is the official Georgia Tourism and Travel website. A recent Google search brings up the site among the top hits for “Royston, GA.” The site lists things to see and do in not only Royston but also in neighboring Franklin Springs. So what is there to see if the site’s advice on “What to do in Royston, Georgia” is followed? A visit to Royston and Franklin Springs one sunny fall day answered that question. Royston and Franklin Springs are two separate cities that share a border. While they are linked geographically and in several other ways, they are two unique towns with disparate personalities.
Royston & Franklin Springs 5
Royston: A town in three counties
Royston is the big sister of the two.
business district.
The city has a population of 2,547 in an area of 3.41 square miles. Royston is unique in that its boundaries lie in three different counties: Franklin, Hart and Madison counties.
Excerpts from an essay written more than 50 years ago by Sylvia Leard Gayle gives a little history on Royston.
Royston was first settled in the early 1800s, with Robert Berryman acquiring much of the land in the area. He sold two acres of land (at $2 per acre) to W. Asbury Royston. That land makes up most of Royston’s current
6 Royston & Franklin Springs
“Not too long after this purchase, Mr. Royston built his place of business, on the lot where the Royston Drug Store now stands. He also built his home, which wasn’t extremely large, on the space formerly occupied by the Sanders’ Motor Company. Beautiful cedar trees lined his walkway to the front door.
This photo of Royston from one of city’s water tower shows the downtown business district area. (Photo by Damian Salas)
“Mr. Royston’s store held various kinds of merchandise and a man who drove an ox-drawn wagon was kept busy making trips to Athens for supplies.
who first helped him to govern our city were: W. A. Burnette, Epp Bond, W. M. Bowers, and J. B. Burnette. The city Marshal was Tom Mabrey.”
“The Franklin Springs Post Office was moved into his store and became known as “Royston Post Office” in honor of Mr. Royston. So it was that our town got its name.
Royston’s business people offer many storefronts and services, and the city works hard to draw new business and industry.
“In 1879 Royston was incorporated and became the center of activity for all the people near and far. The first mayor was Allen Turner, and the men
The town has made major strides in recent years as a place where residents old and new can enjoy a quality of life that few other cities its size can offer.
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Franklin Springs: A growing college town
Franklin Springs is a growing smaller sibling to Royston. The city has a population of 973 in 2.18 square miles and is the home of Emmanuel College. Following the War Between the States,
8 Royston & Franklin Springs
people in Northeast Georgia were looking for places to get away for vacations and family outings. Horse and buggy transportation over dirt roads did not permit travelers to go far from home, so residents of Franklin County found a place not far away that offered
beauty, shade and healing waters.
age.
Around the turn of the 20th century, the 87 acres of the Franklin Springs Resort had developed into quite a vacation spot, with two large wooden hotels and a skating rink in addition to the main attraction, the mineral springs and pavilion located below the main hotel and skating rink.
The total cost of the 87 acres was $9,000.
A number of families had also built wood-framed homes or summer cottages near the pavilion and on the surrounding hills. By 1918 the horseless carriage had been invented, roads improved, and families started going farther away from home for their vacations. Franklin Springs Resort had seen its better days. The property began to sit idle as time took its toll, until a group of businessmen in the community decided to purchase the property and offer it to the Pentecostal Holiness Church for use as a school or orphan-
When George Floyd Taylor came to Franklin Springs in 1919 to start Franklin Springs Institute, he essentially established the community as an official municipality. Along with his other duties as head of the school, editor of The Publishing House, and pastor of the local Pentecostal Holiness Church, he was also the first mayor of the town. Emmanuel is a four-year accredited college affiliated with the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. The main business district of Franklin Springs is dominated by the college and its affiliated offices but that may soon change. New developments in the city will mean more homes, restaurants and businesses for both newcomers and those who live in the city’s neighborhoods.
Royston & Franklin Springs 9
Welcome to the area A visit to Royston and Franklin Springs should rightfully start at the Royston and Franklin Springs Welcome Center. The center is at the intersection of Georgia Highway 17 and U.S. Highway 29, the two main streets running through Royston.
Springs and other area towns. The building, which also houses Royston’s Main Street Office, is a former filling station that served people for many years.
The Welcome Center is there to do just that: welcome visitors and newcomers to the towns.
The Main Street Program follows the guidelines of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and is accredited by Georgia and the National Main Street.
Visitors can pick up brochures about attractions in Royston, Franklin
The Main Street Program works to promote Royston downtown and city-wide.
10 Royston & Franklin Springs
The Royston-Franklin Springs Welcome Center and its plaza serve as a location for community events, including the annual Arbor Day celebration.
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The final resting place of a
legend
Leaving the Welcome Center, a natural – if seemingly odd – place to start a tour of town is in the city cemetery. Rose Hill Cemetery not only sits near the city’s southern limits but also houses the grave of its most famous native son: Ty Cobb. If there’s a debate about who is the best Major League Baseball player who ever lived, Cobb’s name will come up prominently in the discussion. And there’s plenty of people in Royston who are willing to argue it. Cobb was the first inductee in the Baseball Hall of Fame in a class that also included Babe Ruth. Though his 24-year career ended in 1928, Cobb still holds the record for highest career batting average (.366) and ranks in the top five all-time in runs scored (second, 2,244); hits (second, 4,189); singles (second, 3,053); triples (second, 295); doubles (fourth, 724);
stolen bases (fourth, 897); games played (fifth, 3,034); at bats (fifth, 11,434); plate appearances (fifth, 13,084); total bases (fifth, 5,854). He won 13 American League batting titles, one Triple Crown and was American League Most Valuable Player in 1911. Cobb is celebrated throughout Royston, both for his exceptional baseball ability and for his contributions to his hometown. Cobb turned his baseball salaries into a fortune through investments in Coca-Cola and other companies. He gave back to Royston by establishing a hospital, which eventually grew into Ty Cobb Healthcare Systems. His picture or name appears on signs welcoming people to town. A mural downtown depicts Cobb’s face and famous images of his playing days.
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A Georgia Peach of a museum And then there Is the Ty Cobb Museum. The museum, located in the Joe A. Adams Building at 461 Cook St. in Royston, was founded to perpetuate the memory of Cobb. Its mission is to foster education and understanding to the broadest possible audience the greatness of Ty Cobb. The museum collects, preserves, researches, interprets and exhibits items
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related to Ty Cobb and the game of baseball. Professionally designed, the museum features rare photographs and artifacts, including Cobb’s 1907 American League batting champion award. Cobb Theater features stadium-style seating accented by a mural. A video features the narration of Georgia broadcasting legend Larry Munson and interviews with Atlanta Braves star
Chipper Jones and ESPN baseball analyst Peter Gammons, along with rare footage and still photographs. The museum hosts Cobb related events, as well. Book signings, the unveiling of new exhibits and an annual vintage baseball game against a team from the Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum are all sponsored by the museum. In the gift shop, the museum sells posters, photos, mementos and books about Cobb. The museum is also home to the Franklin County Sports Hall of Fame. Inductees are Cobb, 1943 American League Most Valuable Player Spud Chandler, two-time Super Bowl champion Tony Jones and Heisman Trophy finalist Dee Dowis. For more information, call 706-2451825 or visit tycobbmuseum.org.
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Carriage rides are a big draw each year during the Christmas in Royston event.
A Diverse Downtown Tracking down Cobb and his legacy Is not the only attraction in Royston. The downtown area has a diversity of shops but also has the feel of smalltown America from long ago. Downtown visitors can shop for clothes and antiques, and learn a little history too. A display in the Downtown Market features a collection saved by Joe T. Cun-
16 Royston & Franklin Springs
ningham, a long-time businessman in Royston. The display features historical photos of Royston, Cobb and antiques. But Royston is also unique because visitors can pull up to Joe’s Filling Station and have an attendant pump gas, check the oil and wash the windshield. Or lunch is available at an old-fashioned soda fountain at Royston Drug Store, at the classic diner Royston Drive-In or the traditional family restaurant The
Local businesses pay to have their windows painted each Christmas season and many also participate in a Christmas elves competition.
Roystonian. Downtown shopping in Royston is the focus of Christmas in Royston every holiday season. Downtown retailers in Royston stay open late one night to encourage local residents and others to get last-minute gifts at home. The 2015 Christmas in Royston will be Dec. 17 from 5-7 p.m. Along with shopping, carriage rides for all ages, train rides for children and hot chocolate and goodies are available during the event. Visitors can also just walk around and enjoy the Christmas decorations of downtown stores and the Christmas window paintings done throughout town.
Photos and antiques collected by Joe T. Cunningham are on display in the building that bears his name in downtown Royston.
Christmas elves pop up all over town each Christmas as well. The new tradition challenges local businesses to display their best elves during the Christmas season. The elves are displayed from just after Thanksgiving to the new year A top elf prize is presented at the Christmas in Royston event.
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Follow the squares quilt
One interesting way to explore downtown is to follow Royston’s portion of the Franklin County Quilt Trail.
The Royston squares include:
The city now has four squares on the trail.
• the “Depot” pattern at the train depot.
The Quilt Trail places painted quilt squares at notable locations around the county for visitors to seek out.
• the “Open Window” pattern at the Welcome Center downtown; • the “Flower Garden” pattern in the City Park on Railroad Street; and • a special pattern featuring Ty Cobb at the Ty Cobb Museum.
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Expanding
downtown
Expanding the wealth of businesses downtown is the job of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA).
The DDA works with the Royston Main Street Program to promote businesses throughout Royston. The DDA meets the first Friday of each month at 8 a.m. at the Roystonian Restaurant in Royston. The DDA helps businesses by offering and administering facade grants to improve or update the outside of business buildings.
The DDA also works closely with the Main Street program to coordinate a long list of community events throughout the year, provide a newsletter on upcoming events and opportunities and encourage businesses to take part in special events. Candy Rhoades serves as the Main Street and DDA Director.
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An Opportunity for business
The DDA’s efforts aren’t the only thing working in Royston’s favor in bringing in new business.
Royston is the home to the only state sanctioned Opportunity Zone in the tricounty area. Businesses creating or adding jobs in the city’s designated Opportunity Zone
can receive significant tax credits. Several businesses have taken advantage of the tax breaks when starting or expanding a business. The Opportunity Zone Job Tax Credit Program administered by the Department of Community Affairs offers the highest and most user-friendly job
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tax credit in the state. The program offers dramatic tax advantages. The designated area, or zone, is eligible for the maximum state job tax credit of $3,500 per net new employee for five years, starting the year of the hire with no restrictions on the type of jobs created. Any legal business that pays Georgia income tax is eligible. Only two or more net new jobs need to be created in any one year to be eligible (other programs require 10), and there is no upper limit on eligible jobs.
The amounts retained by the company from employee withholding are exempt by law from Georgia income tax and may not be subject to federal income tax, so the company gets the full value of the cred-
ited dollars. To read more on the state’s Opportunity Zone Program, visit the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ website at www.dca.state.ga.us/ economic/DevelopmentTools/programs/opportunityZones.asp. For more information on the Opportunity Zone, contact Better Hometown Manager Candy Rhoades at 706-245-7577.
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A variety of parks Royston is also becoming well-known for its parks. The city has several parks around town that are used for different purposes. Tony Jones Park -- named for a native who played in the NFL -- has a pavilion, playground, basketball courts and picnic tables. City Park is a small park downtown that is used during the annual fall festival
22 Royston & Franklin Springs
and for downtown concerts. Royston Wellness and Community Park is one of the centerpieces of the city’s vibrant life. The park is popular year-round. Its parking lot stays full with the vehicles of exercise enthusiasts, families and those who want a pretty place to enjoy nature. The community uses the park for city
events, such as a local car show and Christmas tree lighting and is popular as a site for 5K races, festivals and similar events. The Wellness and Community Park features more than a mile of paved walking trails, fitness stations, picnic pavilions and a playground for children. The park also has a nine-hole disc golf course. There are wide open spaces to fly a kite or throw a football and wooded areas to watch squirrels and take photos. The park is off of Skelton Street. A new Memorial Park is also being developed around the Royston Public Library and Royston City Hall.
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FAST FACTS CONTACT EMMANUEL COLLEGE 181 Spring Street, PO Box 129 Franklin Springs, GA 30639 www.ec.edu Admissions phone: 1-800-860-8800 Financial Aid phone: 1-800-860-8800 OVERVIEW Institutional control: Board of Trustees School type: Four-year, liberal arts Academic calendar: Semesters Religious affiliation: International Pentecostal Holiness Church School size: 800-1,000 Average class size: 20 Student-faculty ratio: 15:1 Number of registered organizations: 25 COSTS AND AID (2015-16) Undergrad in-state tuition (academic year): $18,540 Undergrad out-of-state tuition (academic year): $18,540 Room and board (academic year): $7,200 Average additional fees: $165 Scholarships: Yes Loans:Yes Work-study programs: Yes Co-ops/Internships: Yes ADMISSION Average GPA: 3.31 Average SAT score: 952 (Critical Reading/Math) Essay required: No Interview required: No Application deadline: August 1 Application fee: $25 ($50 for international students)
Faith • Learning • Living
Discover your pur Emmanuel College is a four-year, accredited, Christ-centered, liberal arts institution striving to prepare students to become Christ-like disciples who integrate faith, learning, and living for effective careers, scholarship, and service. Founded in 1919, in the Pentecostal tradition, Emmanuel College has grown into a thriving, multidenominational college with more than 30 majors. Its 15:1 student-faculty ratio provides a
TOP 5 MAJORS Kinesiology Psychology Education Christian Ministries Biology
24 Royston & Franklin Springs: THE place to spend a lifetime 24– Royston & Franklin Springs
pose, plan your future at Emmanuel personalized educational experience with faculty mentors who know students by name and genuinely care about them, their well-being, and their futures. Our classes are engaging and include real-world experiences. They are taught not by teacher’s assistants or graduate students but by accomplished faculty members, 65 percent of whom hold terminal degrees in their academic disciplines. Emmanuel College is one of the most affordable private colleges in the Southeast, though you would never know it by visiting our beautiful
DISTINCTIVE PROGRAMS Criminal Justice Graphic Design Business Music Pre-Professional Studies
campus. Situated on 150 acres in north Georgia, the campus features a contemporary new residence hall and new $10 million athletic center with stadium seating, basketball and volleyball courts, an indoor track, a fully equipped fitness center, a competition swimming pool, a bowling alley, and a food court. With more than 25 intercollegiate athletic teams, EC is a member of Conference Carolinas (NCAA D2) and consistently plays in championship tournaments with the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). With a diverse campus community, more than 25 clubs and organizations, and vibrant spiritual life atmosphere, Emmanuel College is truly a place where students learn to integrate faith, learning, and living. Discover your purpose and plan your future at EC!
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A beautiful home for the library The glass walls of the Royston Public Library catches the eye when travelling along Highway 29 or eating at restaurants in the area. The library has been a staple in Royston for many, many years. The library moved into its newest home in November 2013, after years of work to have a new public library built in Royston. The new library is in the former Royston City Hall and Civic Center building that was originally built as a shrine to Ty Cobb. The shrine was built with the City Hall on one side and Civic Center on the other, with an open air plaza in between. The new library enclosed the plaza with glass walls and converted the two buildings for use by the library. The new library is twice the size of the former facility, which was in turn transformed into a new Royston City Hall. The new library includes more computer lab space, a large children’s area, a community room and a meeting room.
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Royston Elementary School is an integral part of the Royston community. Students participate in several activities throughout the year, including bringing in food for donation to the Rainbow Pantry in town.
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A school in the The library is one center of education in Royston. Royston Elementary School is the other. The school is a part of the Franklin County School System and accepts any student in Royston, whether they live in Franklin or Hart counties. The school serves Royston, Franklin Springs, Sandy Cross and even areas nearer to Carnesville. The school’s goal is to give students a quality education using up-to-date methods. Students should feel valued and safe and parents should be involved, the school’s website says.
middle of town
The school is very active. It offers several different after-school activities throughout the year, including a Tailgate Party, a Fall Festival and a Spring Fling. The Franklin County School System includes three elementary schools on four campuses – Royston Elementary, Lavonia Elementary and Carnesville Elementary-Primary and Carnesville Elementary–Intermediate. After fifth grade, students advance to Franklin County Middle School near Carnesville and then on to Franklin County High School in Carnesville in ninth grade.
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Royston & Franklin Springs 29
A community that cares
Local civic groups sponsor a long list of community projects to help people.
Royston is a community in which its citizens take care of their own and others.
    Â
30 Royston & Franklin Springs
The Rotary Club of Franklin County is one of the most active organizations in Franklin County. The club has built more than 300 wheelchair ramps for disabled residents throughout Franklin County.
Â?Â? Â? Â?Â? Â Â Â Â
the Veterans of Foreign Wars hosts the annual Easter egg hunt and the Boy Scouts do a variety of projects to earn merit badges. For the past several years, the city, the Royston Housing Authority and local churches, organizations and individuals have worked together to put on the Back to School Bash.
The Royston/Franklin Springs Pilot Club does many community projects during the year, such as donated money and blankets to the Harmony House Child Advocacy Center in Franklin Springs. Pictured are Pilot Club member Shirley Rosenberg (right) and Laurie Whitworth of Harmony House.
In addition, the group takes part in an effort to honor Franklin County’s First Responders with a dinner on Sept. 11. Other groups also do charity work. The Pilot Club does programs to remind people of all ages to keep their heads safe, the Lions Club raises money for the blind,
In August, just before the start of school, the community hands out book bags, snack boxes, clothing and school supplies to as many residents as they can. Past events have served more than 1,500 parents and students. Face and hand painting, free health screenings, popcorn, hair cuts and clothing were also available at the event.
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Emmanuel the heart of a college town Moving out Highway 29 into Franklin Springs, the campus of Emmanuel College dominates the heart of town. Emmanuel, founded in 1919, is a four-year, Christ-centered liberal arts institution which strives to prepare students to become Christ-like disciples who integrate faith, learning and living for effective careers, scholarship and service.
32 Royston & Franklin Springs
It is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. It has been ranked for four consecutive years as a Tier 1 school and named a Best Regional College in the South by U.S. News & World Report. Emmanuel College offers a first-rate
education with qualities and opportunities rarely seen at an institution its size.
practicing or teaching with doctorates in psychology.
The school has an enrollment of 884 in the fall 2015 semester. That is a recordhigh enrollment for the school. For example, Emmanuel’s math majors are taught by a Ph.D. from Cal Tech and a Ph.D. from Purdue with more than 30 years of industry experience. Science majors are accepted at renowned graduate and medical schools, communication majors learn using the industry’s latest digital equipment, and many psychology graduates are
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Emmanuel’s small class sizes keep learning highly interactive, and a very low student-to-teacher ratio (15:1) ensures students will receive personalized attention when they need it. Emmanuel professors are invested in their students’ success, and they will do whatever it takes to help them reach their full potential. Through numerous organizations, students serve by visiting hospitals, homeless shelters and prisons. They tutor children, do street ministry, assist
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events; community ministries; and summer mission trips. The campus includes new dormitories constructed within the last five years and a $10 million athletic facility. This impressive state-of-theart facility includes stadium seating basketball and volleyball courts, an indoor track, a fully equipped fitness center, a competition swimming pool, a bowling alley, and a food court featuring Papa John’s.
pastors, go on summer missions trips and more. More than 25 organizations provide opportunities for leadership, spiritual growth and fun. Emmanuel offers intercollegiate sports teams in basketball, soccer, tennis, golf, volleyball, cross-country, softball, baseball and more; varied Intramural teams; chapel; concerts; special
The Shaw-Leslie Library provides information services to students, faculty and staff of Emmanuel College as well as the community. It has a collection of more than 95,000 volumes, including books, music scores, CDs, DVDs, electronic books, monographs and other multimedia materials. Periodical resources include current paper journal subscriptions, newspapers, microfiche, indexing and full-text access contained in the databases of Galileo. Library services include computer labs, circulation, reference, library orientation and interlibrary loan.
961 Hull Ave - Carnesville, GA 30521 706-384-4659 / chamber@franklin-county.com / www.franklin-county.com The mission of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce is to advocate the advancement of business, civic, and educational interests of the community to improve the quality of life for all citizens in Franklin County.
34 Royston & Franklin Springs
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A place to relax near campus Near the heart of Emmanuel’s campus is Pavilion Park, a serene, beautiful setting.
In the early days, a smaller wooden shelter was also located near the pavilion.
The park sits on the spot where Franklin Springs began.
By the 1990s, the original wooden structure had begun to deteriorate, until an effort was led to restore the structure and improve the appearance of the pavilion area.
Local families originally gravitated to the beautiful spot outside Royston for vacations and therapeutic visits to the mineral springs. The springs were located in an area identified by a large wooden pavilion that provided seating and shade.
Groups from the college and community use the site for picnics and family gatherings and many weddings are scheduled for this lovely spot.
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A visit to the
wilderness Just a short drive from Emmanuel’s modern educational opportunities and stateof-the-art recreational facilities is an opportunity to get back to the Northeast Georgia wilderness or play some golf. Victoria Bryant State Park opened in 1952 and has become a staple location for local residents and a destination for
w N open O
visitors to Northeast Georgia. Local families take their children to play on the playground, swim in the pool, fish in the pond, splash in the creek or to one of the many planned events at the park. Visitors enjoy the hiking trails and campground areas in the park, nestled in a wooded area that is beautiful year round. The park began as a 45-acre tract of land and, through the years, has evolved into just more than 500 acres of picturesque scenery and outdoor activities.
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36 Royston & Franklin Springs
Two rest stations, a swimming pool with attached bathhouse and a campground comfort station were all built in the early to mid-1960s. Victoria Bryant State Park includes 35 campsites, five picnic shelters and two pioneer camps. The park features nature trails, two small fishing ponds and a swimming pool. Park hours are from 7 a.m. until dark, with the park office open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. There is a $5 parking fee. Annual passes are available. The park is located at 1105 Bryant Park Road. For more information, call the park at 706-245-6270 or visit gastateparks.org/VictoriaBryant. Located next to Victoria Bryant is the state-owned Highland Walk Golf Course. This 18-hole, 6,503-yard challenge for
Pruitt
golfers is a par 72. “The course is built on steep rolling hills with broad, crowned Bermuda fairways leading to generous, sloping Bermuda greens,” the state’s website, georgiagolf. com/Highland-Walk, says. Highland Walk hosts a number of tournaments, school golf team competitions and golf outings for local businesses. As with all state golf courses, 18 holes comes at a reasonable price. A golf shop offers golf accessories, a snack bar and lessons by appointment. Golf leagues are also offered. Overnight golf packages are available. Annual greens passes are available. For tee times and golf packages, call 1-800-434-0982 or 706-245-6770. For the pro shop, call 706-245-6770 or 866-317-7789.
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Celebrations throughout the year
While they can’t be seen on a visit on any one particular day, Royston and Franklin Springs stage many special events each year. Like a big family, the citizens of Royston and Franklin Springs get together on special occasions during the year. The holidays bring special events to both towns. The Royston Easter Egg Hunt starts off the year’s events by attracting hundreds of children to the field in front of the Royston Veterans of Foreign Wars Post each spring. Thousands of eggs are gathered by the children in a matter of minutes. Children also take time to have their photos taken with the Easter Bunny. Shriners hand out toys and candy to children. The event is sponsored by the city of Royston, the Royston Downtown Development Authority/Main Street Program,
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the Lake Hartwell Shrine, and Nancy Hart and Bowersville Masonic lodges. The Royston Car Show turns the Royston Wellness and Community Park into the best looking car lot in the area each May. Classic cars, trucks, motorcycles, rat rods and special interest vehicles cruise in to the Royston Wellness and Communitiy Park for the show. Awards are voted on by those attending the show and given to favorite entries. Golden oldie music gets visitors in the right frame of mind to look over and admire the living automotive history from the 1920s through present day dream rides. Plenty of food vendors are also on hand to provide classic human fuel for the show. The Royston Fall Festival brings huge crowds to downtown Royston on the second Saturday of October every year.
And the crowds last all day. Thousands come out during the day to buy goods and eat food from vendors, play games and listen and watch a long list of entertainers on stage. After dark, a crowd packs the area in front of the historic depot to hear the festival’s headline entertainment. Then, a spectacular fireworks show draws oohs and aahs as rockets of all colors explode over the downtown area and corresponds with a laser show. Halloween brings out hundreds of children each year to downtown Royston. Local businesses hand out candy downtown as the young ghouls and goblins go from shop to shop. Area organizations also set up candygiving stations along the street corners. After stocking up on sweet treats, the children are then judged as part of the annual costume contest. Royston’s Christmas Tree stands all year at the Royston Community and Wellness Park. But it becomes the center of attention each year at the Royston Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, which is held soon after Thanksgiving each year. The tree lighting is the kickoff to the city’s Christmas celebration. City residents come out to hear carols or watch performances by the Franklin County High School Band or Auxiliary. “The Night Before Christmas” is read
each year before the lighting of the tree. Santa Claus is always on hand to get an early start by listening to Christmas wishes from the little ones. The Royston-Franklin Springs Christmas Parade brings Christmas cheer through two cities and along a multi-mile route is something to behold. The annual Christmas Parade in Royston and Franklin Springs does just that. The parade starts on Old Elbert Road in Royston, goes down Church Street and then turns on Highway 29 before ending at the Bi-Lo Shopping Center in Franklin Springs. Hundreds of people line the route each year to wave at family and friends on floats, watch the cars, tractors and horses and pick up pounds and pounds of candy thrown out by those in the parade. The Franklin Springs Christmas Tree Lighting feels more like a family get-together than a city-sponsored event. Folks eat potluck dishes they brought themselves and write out Christmas cards to members of the military and children make ornaments and roast marshmallows. Of course, Santa is on hand and there are also carriage rides and entertainment. The lighting of the town’s Christmas tree and Christmas carols finish off the event.
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Clubs and Organizations Royston and Franklin Springs are home to a wide variety of community organizations. Local groups provide places for support for families with special needs, for people with similar interests to gather, for business people to network and to provide opportunities for recreation and community involvement. Among the community groups that are active in the Royston/ Franklin Springs community are: • Franklin County Rotary Club Meets each Tuesday at noon in the Joe A. Adams Professional Building at 461 Cook St. in Royston.
• Royston Housing Authority Board meetings third Monday each month at the Royston Housing Authority office at 216 Hartwell St. in Royston.
• Pilot Club of Royston/Franklin Springs 706-245-2614 Meets second Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Royston Baptist Church Family Center.
• Royston Veterans of Foreign Wars 706-245-7938
• Royston/Franklin Springs Lions Club 706-245-0591 Meets first and third Thursday each month at noon at the Roystonian Restaurant
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• Royston Woodmen of the World 706-376-7841 Meets second Tuesday of each month at the Royston Housing Authority. • Boy Scouts of Franklin Springs 706-245-4124 Campbell Ridge Road in Royston
Utilities
Utilities in Royston and Franklin Springs are provided by both cities and private companies.
Water/sewerBoth Royston and Franklin Springs provide water and sewer service within or near their individual city limits. City of Royston 706-245-7232 City of Franklin Springs 706-245-6957 Electricity Georgia Power and Hart EMC each provide electricity to portions of Franklin County. For more information, call the appropriate service provider. Georgia Power 1-888-660-5890 Hart EMC 1-800-241-4109
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Natural gas Royston Natural Gas provides natural gas service to the Royston and Franklin Springs areas. Royston Natural Gas 706-245-7232 Cable/Internet Truvista recently consolidated cable service for all of Franklin County. Truvista, AT&T and Windstream each provide Internet service. For more information, call the appropriate service provider. Truvista 1-800-768-1212 AT&T 1-877-253-0009 Windstream 1-800-501-1754
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Just the facts ...
Franklin Springs Incorporated: Jan. 1, 1924 Population: 952
Services: Police, fire department, water, sewer, garbage pickup
Total area: 2.1 square miles
Website: cityoffranklinsprings.com
County: Franklin Facebook: City of Franklin Springs
Form of government: Council and manager City council: Four members plus mayor
Annual events: Farmer’s Market Christmas Tree Lighting
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Just the facts ...
Royston Incorporated: Jan. 1, 1879 Population: 2,582 Total area: 3.4 square miles County: Franklin, Hart, Madison Form of government: Council and manager City council: Six members plus mayor Services: Police, fire department, water, sewer, natural gas, garbage pickup Website: cityofroyston.com Facebook: Royston Georgia Annual events: Easter Egg Hunt Car Show Farmer’s Market Fall Festival Halloween Tree Lighting Christmas Parade Holiday Window Painting Elves in Royston Christmas in Royston
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Important numbers Police or fire emergencies ............. 911 City Hall ........................ 706-245-7232 Maintenance Shop ........ 706-245-0079 Street department ......... 706-245-0250 Gas service dept. .......... 706-245-7755 Natural gas dept. .......... 706-245-9180
Royston Police department ........ 706-245-6196 Wastewater plant .......... 706-245-9543 Water plant ................... 706-245-6472 Welcome Center ........... 706-245-7577
Franklin Springs
Police or fire emergencies .............................. 911 City Hall .......................................... 706-245-6957 .................................. fax: 706-245-8315 Police department .......................... 706-245-0000 Email address ....... franklin_springs@bellsouth.net
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Visit Beautiful Royston & Franklin Springs!
City of Royston and the City of Franklin Springs, communities with Welcome to the
a rich history that are commited to its citizens and to the future of our cities. We are so proud of the community we live in and the many things it has to offer; from local downtown shopping, to a small-town feel community living, to family friendly activities.
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