Originally just a stop on the Macon and Western Railroad nine miles south of Atlanta, maybe the first photograph of Forest Park, Georgia shows destroyed railroad tracks in 1864 at the height of Sherman’s March to the Sea during the Civil War. The Union army most certainly passed through what is now Forest Park on its destructive rampage to throttle the Confederacy. In fact, Scarlett O’Hara, Rhett Butler and Miss Melanie probably passed through Forest Park on their way south to “Tara” in Margaret Mitchell’s enduring novel Gone With the Wind. Today, Jonesboro, six miles from Forest Park, features the Road to Tara Museum at the Historic Train Depot. The museum not only houses items from the iconic 1939 movie but also artifacts from the Civil War. One of the highlights of the museum is an authentic “Sherman’s necktie,” a piece of railway twisted into a loop. Jonesboro also provides its visitors a historic bus tour with stops at the museum as well as a Confederate cemetery and vintage houses including the Warren House, Ashley Oaks Mansion and Stately Oaks Mansion.
Not only is Forest Park right in the middle of Gone With the Wind territory it is also within a short distance to several other interesting attractions. Further south past Jonesboro nature lovers will appreciate the Newman Wetlands Center where visitors may catch sight of more than 130 species of birds along its tree-line paths. The 32-acre wetlands are open year-round. The even larger Reynolds Nature Preserve in nearby Morrow is a 146-acre woodland habitat with spring-fed ponds and over three miles of hiking trails. The preserve includes old farm equipment and a barn built in 1867.
Close to home, residents of Forest Park have easy access to the Atlanta State Farmer’s Market, a 150-acre market with local produce, meats and cheeses as well as on-site eateries. The market is considered one of the largest of its kind in the world. Possibly due to its proximity to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Forest Park is home to the National Museum of Commercial. The museum features aircraft, cockpits, uniforms, airline insignia and other memorabilia.
Since Forest Park is only about nine miles from downtown Atlanta it is within easy reach of a wealth of activities in the big city. A Forest Park tutor will be able to keep you ahead of the academic curve so you can enjoy the amenities of the Atlanta metropolitan area. Museums, an aquarium, zoo, botanical garden, art galleries, and historic sites are all available in Atlanta. But, for those with a more offbeat sense of adventure, the city boasts the Walking Dead Big Zombie Tour. The tour takes fans of the popular cable television show to many of the original filming locations including hospital where it all started, the goat farm and Jackson Street Bridge.