Explore Historic West Point
Nestled along the Chattahoochee River, Downtown West Point is a gem that caters to all tastes. It's a place where warm hospitality meets rich history, offering a variety of locally owned eateries and boutiques, alongside the vibrant energy of a college town.
In the past ten years, Downtown West Point has emerged as the heart of the city's rejuvenation, showcasing its resilient spirit and ambition to flourish anew.
Exploring our streets on foot is the perfect way to experience the essence of our quaint town, tracing its roots from its inception to the present day's dynamic mix of the traditional and the contemporary. As you wander, the inviting outdoors, along with the picturesque homes and structures, will captivate your senses.
Hawkes Library
The building on the banks of the Chattahoochee River was constructed in 1922, following a decades-long effort by many groups to bring a library to West Point. Initial funding came from Andrew Carnegie, but a major funder – and the building’s namesake – was Albert King Hawkes, an optician, who had a great love of children and their education. He donated between $7,000 and $7,500 for the project and the building initially was named Hawkes Children’s Library. “Children’s” was later dropped, thinking it discouraged adults from using the library. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
West Point Depot
The last remaining depot building in West Point served as the site for freight transfer between Atlanta and Montgomery in the 1800s. It was saved from demolition and renovated into a museum and special events center. The building was built in 1887 and added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 2005.
West Point Post Office
The West Point Post Office built in 1931, is one of the few post offices of that era still in use. A stone eagle greets patrons as they enter. Its rotunda-shaped portico and Temple of the Winds columns are central features.
The Magnolia Club
This guest house was built in 1913 and is on the National Registry of Historic Places as the Magnolia Club. It was built to accommodate the investors from Boston and other important guests of the West Point Manufacturing Company.
Parr House
The carriage house is used as the Advancement Office, while the house itself is reserved to host Point University alumni, fundraising and other events.
First Presbyterian Church
The original building of West Point Presbyterian was severely damaged twice by flood, once in 1886 and again in 1919. In 1920, Mr. Isham Stanley, the Senior Elder, was killed when the wood-framed building was completely destroyed by a cyclone. The congregation held services in the local Jewish Synagogue until the present building, located at Fifth Avenue and West 10th Street was completed in 1923. This same storm also destroyed the local Episcopal Church, the third-floor of a local theatre, and the steeple of First Baptist Church. The “new” Sanctuary was dedicated, free of debt, at the centennial commemoration on December 12, 1937.
In 2010, Kirk Hall was dedicated as a ministry for high school and college students and in 2012, Davis Hall was renovated to serve as a fellowship building, and later expanded in 2014. It is the second-oldest organized church within West Point city limits.
The George Nader Bell Museum
West Point Opera House Building
The opera house was on the third floor, used for theatrical, traveling troupes’ opera, concerts and other occasions from 1885 to about 1910. The opera house was destroyed in the cyclone of March 1920.
West Point Woman’s Club
The West Point Women’s Club has had many homes during its time, first meeting in hotel parlors and altar in the club room of the City Auditorium. The club was chartered in 1912, after first being formed in 1898. Its goals were “social, literary and humanitarian.” The activities of the club included establishing Hawkes Library and the bonds for the school building.
Fort Tyler
On April 16, 1865, Union troops attacked the earthen fort in West Point, unaware that lee had surrendered to Grant several days prior. Fort Tyler was the last confederate fort captured by the Union in the Civil War. The site stays active with frequent Civil War reenactments.
Point University J. Smith Lanier II Academic Center
(Formerly West Point Pepperell)
The Lanier Academic Center used to be the corporate office for West Point-Stevens Textile Company. After a renovation in 2012 designed to fit the need of students, it is now home to most Point University classes and offices.
West Point Cemetery
Pinewood is the oldest public cemetery in West Point and its oldest marked grave is that of John C. Webb, dated 1840. It is believed there were earlier, unmarked graves that have been destroyed. The cemetery is likely to have been built because all of the city’s denominations worship nearby. In 18334, the Methodists built a church on the northwest corner of Avenue E and 10th Street. A large area of the cemetery was used to bury union and Confederate troops after the battle of Fort Tyler.
New Horizon Community Theatre
Established in 1986 as "The Painted Rock Players," the group now known as New Horizon Community Theatre has presented over 600 performances of 150 shows to more than 80,000 enthusiastic patrons in The Greater Valley Area. During that 34-year period, more than 3000 people have participated as actors or crew members, including over 1900 children and teenagers. The group is comprised of local volunteers and is open to anyone interested in being a part of the theater family.
From Broadway musicals to drama to children's shows to slapstick comedy, "The Players" have performed at Langdale Auditorium (both pre- and post-restoration), Springwood School, Lanett High School, an empty field (which is now part of West Point City Park), a parking garage, and most recently in our own theater in West Point. The theater was renovated and expanded in 2014 to its current 218 seat size.
When he was 12 years old, George Nader’s mother gave him a bell figurine. From that day forward for the next 73 years, collecting bells was George’s passion. During his lifetime he traveled far and wide, collecting hundreds of bells of all shapes, sizes, and descriptions.
George’s younger brother and business partner, Harris, took care of the bells in the family home after George’s death. It was Harris’ dream to put the bells on permanent display in honor of his brother in the town they had called home for over 80 years. When Harris saw the renovations being done at New Horizon Theatre, he crossed the street to see if there might be room to display his brother’s bells. From that moment on a partnership was born. After seeing the magnitude of the collection, it soon became evident the theatre did not have the space to appropriately display the bells. A few months later, Harris decided to retire and close Nader’s Music Store. The discussion of a partnership with New Horizon resurfaced. Harris considered several options and ultimately offered to gift the Nader’s Music building and the bell collection to the theatre with the stipulation that a portion of the building be used as a museum to place the collection on permanent display. The theatre readily agreed and The George Nader Bell Museum and New Horizon Theatre Costume Shop became a reality.
Unfortunately, Harris died before he could see his dream come true.
In keeping with Harris’ wishes, the Nader family agreed to the arrangement with the theatre and today we proudly display over 1,000 bells in memory of George and Harris and in honor of the Nader family.
The Museum is open one hour prior to all New Horizon Theatre performances, and tours and additional hours can be arranged by appointment. Call 706/643-7529 to schedule a tour.