Tallapoosa’s rail and mining roots still shape the community
The community of Tallapoosa is just as thriving today as it was 150 years ago. A former rail and gold mining town, Tallapoosa was the end of the line for many visitors traveling to this area of the South. According to Realtor Karen Steed with Haralson Realty, the community of around 3,000 residents has preserved much of this history. Steed grew up in Tallapoosa and now lives just outside of town. "It's such a sweet little town. We've preserved many historic homes and much of the community at the West Georgia Museum of Tallapoosa," Steed says. "So the history here is a big deal." According to Steed, the community's location is also a draw for buyers. "We're within the ABC Triangle: an hour from Atlanta, two hours from Birmingham and three hours from Chattanooga," she says. Tallapoosa offers a ton of local dining, shopping and events, all bringing the community together and keeping it vibrant.
Tallapoosa’s housing blends classic styles with country living
This small town has a traditional residential layout. Closer to town are cottages, Craftsman-style, ranch-style and Victorian-style homes that give a classic American feel. Also known as the Dogwood City, the streets are lined with dogwood trees and pine, oak and crepe myrtle. As homes spread out, more manufactured, farmhouse-style and New Traditional houses are closer to the country, surrounded by woods and farms. Thickets of forest and the lush crop fields lend a sense of privacy, especially for those homes that may have acreage. The median sale price for a home in Tallapoosa is $238,000.
Haralson County High offers career-focused learning pathways
Haralson County Schools serves nearly 3,500 students and earns an overall B-minus rating on Niche. Tallapoosa Primary has a B, West Haralson Elementary earns a B and Haralson County Middle has a B-plus. Haralson County High scores a B. High schoolers can participate in college and career academy with pathways in industrial systems, computer science and early childhood education.
Golf, walking trails and museums add variety to free time
History is alive in many of Tallapoosa's outdoor areas. Veteran's Memorial and Medal of Honor Park offers large areas to stroll and admire the park's military vehicle display. There's also a picnic pavilion, a basketball court and a horseshoe area. Rayford Roberts Ball Park hosts the community's athletic activities, including baseball, football and cheerleading programs. Residents may visit the West Georgia Museum of Tallapoosa, which has historical replicas and natural history exhibits. Nearby, behind the Tallapoosa Library, a pedestrian walking trail meanders around the city. Playgrounds are available at churches around Tallapoosa, like First Baptist Church and Refuge Ministries of West Georgia. Public Tee Times are available at Tally Mountain Golf Course.
Small businesses and historic storefronts shape downtown life
Tallapoosa's original storefronts showcase the community's history. "There are a lot of small businesses here," Steed says. "We also have a lot of local restaurants and shops." Many churches are in the area, and some have become landmarks, like the Whites Chapel AME church, which is abandoned but preserved as a historical site. Local eateries dominate the dining scene in Tallapoosa. Burger Chick has classic burgers and shakes, Turn Around BBQ is a smokehouse that serves breakfast, and Papou's Pizza serves Italian and Greek dishes. The town has a Piggly Wiggly and a Dollar General for groceries and goods. More dining, and big box shops exist in nearby cities like Douglasville, 35 miles away.
Chili cook-offs, car shows and a Possum Drop are local favorites
Annual events attract visitors and help locals get together. Each April, the Tallapoosa Dogwood Festival has food, music and a parade. There is a car show each May, a fireworks display every Fourth of July and a golf tournament each September. Tallapoosa is also known for its Halloween-themed Hat Robert's Chili Cook-Off. There's a costume contest, games and chili. From Thanksgiving to Christmas, the town celebrates, starting with a Christmas tree lighting on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and an annual Christmas Parade on the second Tuesday in December. According to Steed, the town gathers at the end of each year for the New Year's Eve Possum Drop, which is a favorite. "We drop a taxidermized opossum down from the town's tallest building at midnight, and there are carnival rides, live music, food vendors and fireworks," she says.
Located in the ABC Triangle
Tallapoosa sits at the convergence of US Highway 78 and Georgia State Highway 108. The community is about 5 miles from Interstate 20, which connects residents to larger cities like Atlanta, 60 miles away, and Birmingham, 100 miles away. Atlanta is also home to the nearest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International. The closest medical center is Higgins General Hospital in Bremen, 10 miles away. Tallapoosa has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
