Eatonton is a rural city near two lakes with a bustling arts scene
Eatonton appeals to outdoor lovers and artisans. The rural city is within a few miles of Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair, giving residents plenty of ways to enjoy the region’s nature. At the same time, historic downtown Eatonton has a creative spirit, cultivating new writers and artists while celebrating those who have come before. “I live in the historic downtown, and it’s amazing,” says Amanda Cabe, a Realtor with Drake Realty Lake Area. “It’s a small town. Everything is walkable, and everyone knows each other. It feels like a village, and the homes are beautiful.”
New Traditional and ranch-style homes for around the national median
Most homes sit near the city center, with a smattering of houses in the region’s northwest corner. Eatonton has recently constructed New Traditional houses and older brick ranch-style and traditional homes. The median sale price is about $470,000, close to the national median. Lots and large parcels of land are also available, usually between $7,000 and $30,000 per acre. The area’s asphalt streets are narrow, but many near the city center have sidewalks. “You can really get to know your neighbors and be part of a bigger picture,” Cabe says. Tall trees surround roads both downtown and to the northwest, and less populated areas can feature farmland. Yards often feature bushes around the exterior of the house. Properties usually have driveways, so parking along the side of a street is uncommon.
Enjoy lakes Oconee and Sinclair, and visit the Georgia Writers Museum
The city center is less than 15 miles from lakes Sinclair and Oconee, and residents can find campgrounds, boat ramps and fishing opportunities along the water. Largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie are among the fish available to catch. The Great Waters Course at Reynolds Lake Oconee is a private set of 18 holes designed by Jack Nicklaus.
To the north and west of the city is the Oconee National Forest, which has more than 800 miles of trails and sights like the Rock Eagle Effigy Mound, a former Native American ceremonial site. In the city, Butterflies & Blooms in the Briar Patch has walking trails and gardens that attract pollinators like bees and the titular butterflies. Putnam County Recreation offers tennis and pickleball courts as well as the Poole Recreation Center, which contains a basketball gym and a fitness room.
The Georgia Writers Museum is dedicated to the lives of authors like Eatonton natives Joel Chandler Harris and Alice Walker. It also hosts book clubs and writing workshops. The Artisans Village Art Gallery showcases handcrafted jewelry and sculptures, among other items.
Southern-style cooking and buying essentials from Walmart
Los Monchies is a casual eatery with authentic Mexican flavors, and Tastee Chick offers fast, Southern-style meals. Along Lake Oconee are restaurants like The Silver Moon, an upscale pub with steak and seafood on its menu. Piggly Wiggly, Ingles and Walmart are within the city limits, as is Dollar General. Eatonton Presbyterian Church works with the Putnam County Outreach Food Pantry and other community organizations to help people in need.
Putnam County Schools gives students career pathway choices
Students are served by Putnam County Schools. Those in kindergarten through second grade can attend Putnam County Primary School, which holds a B Niche score. Putnam County Elementary School, for grades 3-5, receives a B, while Putnam County Middle School, for grades 6-8, gets a B-plus. Putnam County High School offers Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education pathways like aviation, marketing and energy. It earns a B rating.
Free summer concerts and the annual Putnam County Dairy Festival
The annual Putnam County Dairy Festival combines a dairy exhibition with music, barbecue and a parade. Each holiday season, the Mistletoe Market brings more than 100 arts and crafts vendors to the city’s Courthouse Lawn. The Downtown GetDown Concert Series brings live music to the Eatonton City Center Stage at no cost each summer and fall.
Access to major highways with little traffic and mild weather
U.S. Route 441 snakes through the region west of downtown. Downtown Atlanta is around 75 miles away, and Athens is just over a 50-mile drive. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is close to 80 miles west. “The roads never get backed up,” Cabe says. “Just don’t get stuck behind a cow truck.” The Putnam County Public Transit System has an on-demand service that riders must schedule in advance. Cabe says inclement weather is not a concern for the area. However, it tends to be a few degrees warmer than Atlanta each summer.
