The Heart of Georgia: Macon

The Sun Belt has seen substantial population growth since the 1960s from an influx of people seeking a warm and sunny climate, a surge in retiring baby boomers, and growing economic opportunities.

Cherry Street

Cherry Street extends from the Macon Terminal and a cluster of cultural attractions (shown above) through to the heart of Macon’s 19th century core. Characterized by wide sidewalks and ample on-street parking, it has served as the city’s traditional main retail corridor.

The Dempsey Hotel was built in 1912. In 1983, it was redesigned into affordable apartment units for the elderly.

The Macon Terminal (right) is a Beaux Arts style railroad station that was completed in 1916. It was designed by architect Alfred Felheimer, who also designed New York’s Grand Central Terminal, Cincinnati’s Union Terminal, and Buffalo’s Central Terminal. At its height, the station handled as many as 100 trains each day. Passenger rail service at the Macon Terminal came to an end in 1975. Today, the structure is owned by the City of Macon and used as a transportation center and offices.

The 43,000-square-foot Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum is the country’s largest state sports museum.

The 49,000-square-foot Tubman African American Museum is located across the street from the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and Macon Terminal Station.

Poplar Street

Historically, Poplar Street’s median was the location of Macon’s City Market, where farmers and artisans sold their goods to the public. Built in 1888, the City Market building was razed and replaced with Proudfit Park in 1916.