Rutledge offers small-town living and a tight-knit community mindset
A community-minded town that spans just 3 square miles, Rutledge embraces its historic railroad roots and pocket-sized presence. After the Georgia Railroad expanded its tracks through the town in the 1840s, the population began to grow, and in 1871, Rutledge became an officially incorporated town. Nods to this locomotive past are reflected in popular restaurants and the murals painted on the quaint downtown’s brick buildings. “We’re just shy of 900 people, but that’s the way we like it,” says town mayor Bruce Altznauer, who has lived in Rutledge for 23 years. “Our town slogan is ‘Small but Special,’ and because we’re smaller, everyone knows everyone.” The Morgan County community features a one-block historic Main Street packed tightly with boutiques and artisan eateries. Hard Labor Creek State Park borders the area’s north side, offering locals proximity to thousands of acres of recreational adventures. Rutledge is located about 50 miles east of Atlanta, and while some motorists see the town as a stop off Interstate 20 for a quality bite to eat, residents appreciate the slower-paced lifestyle. “Everyone gets along and we have great family values,” Altznauer says. “You have genuine people everywhere, but there seems to be more of them here.”
Locals have access to Hard Labor Creek State Park and other parks
A major perk of living in Rutledge is proximity to Hard Labor Creek State Park, the second largest in Georgia. The nearly 6,000-acre park encompasses the northern region of town, providing residents with an abundance of recreational activities. In addition to camping and RV sites, there are horse stables and equestrian trails, as well as hiking and bicycling trails. The 50-acre Lake Brantley offers fishing access, and the 275-acre Lake Rutledge is a popular summer destination. A sandy beach kisses the lake’s shores, and small boats can launch into the water. The state park also features a playground and a public 18-hole golf course. “The fishing lake is what made me decide to move to Rutledge,” Altznauer says. “And the golf course is one of the best that the state offers.” Daily visitors can park for a $5 fee, and season passes are available for purchase. More centrally located in town, Veterans Park has a playground, a bike track and a skate park, as well as tennis and basketball courts.
Altznauer also mentions that the town is working on a new park that will be near Veterans Park: “It’ll be called Silo Park. There will be walking trails and three silos: One will have a stage, another will have concessions and the third will have restrooms. We’re hoping to have it open by the fall of 2025.”
Rutledge Square hosts summer concerts and other events
The tight-knit community gathers frequently at Rutledge Square, a small downtown park with a gazebo bandstand that hosts live music and emcees for town events. “We jokingly call it Central Park,” Altznauer says. Music in the Park is a free, weekly Friday night concert series that runs from June through the end of August. “You just bring your lawn chair and enjoy the music,” Altznauer says. In May, the square hosts the Rutledge Country Fair, which includes a parade, a craft market, food vendors, live music and children’s activities like an exotic petting zoo. The quaint public square also has a swing set and a slide, and it’s home to the town’s farmers market, which takes place each Wednesday.
Across the street from Rutledge Square is Rutledge Baptist Church. And a block from there down Main Street, Rutledge Methodist Church hosts family-friendly events like Easter egg hunts and carnivals complete with bounce houses, rides and animals.
Bungalow-style and shingle-style homes are common in Rutledge
About 80% of Rutledge residents own their homes, which allows for a sense of deep-rooted community spirit. Quiet residential roads shaded by oak and maple trees bring locals home to shingle- and bungalow-styles with low-pitched roofs and wide front porches, many adorned with columns. While buyers can find renovated properties that offer vintage charm from their original late-1800s constructions, most homes were built after the 1960s and some as recently as the 2000s. Around the center of town, cozy 1,000- to 2,000-square-foot ranch-style bungalows with three bedrooms and two bathrooms typically sit on lots around a half-acre in size and cost from $275,000 to $400,000. Toward the outskirts of Rutledge, larger 2,500- to 4,000-square-foot shingle-style New Traditionals offer an extra bedroom and bathroom, ranging between $450,000 and $750,000. In addition to offering more interior space, these properties typically feature attached garages and sit on 2 to 4 acres.
Main Street features eateries, shops and churches
Rutledge's one-block strip of Main Street features locally adored eateries and cafes. Caboose is a popular and eclectic sandwich spot in a former Georgia Railroad caboose train car that also offers a breakfast menu and ice cream. Next door, Harvest and Honey is a trendy retail shop with cooking ingredients and niche gift items. Across town, Rutledge Wings is a sports bar renowned for Southern-style wings and nearby Rutledge Crossing is a gas station with a small grocery market. There are more shopping options 10 miles east in the city of Madison, including Walmart.
Morgan County public schools serve the community
Students can attend pre-kindergarten through second grade at Morgan County Primary School before progressing to Morgan Elementary School, both of which receive an A-minus rating from Niche. Students can then advance to Morgan County Middle School, which also holds an A-minus. After that, learners can attend the A-rated Morgan County High School, which boasts a regional championship-winning girls basketball team and a state championship-winning literary team.
Interstate 20 brings commuters to Atlanta, 50 miles west
U.S. Route 278, or Atlanta Highway, is the main thoroughfare through the car-dependent community. Commuters can also access Interstate 20 about 2 miles south of town. From either the highway or the interstate, Atlanta is about a 50-mile drive west. “A lot of our workforce goes into the Atlanta area,” Altznauer says. “It takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the day.” For farther travel, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is just outside the city.
Written By
Mary Beth Greene
