Penfield, Georgia facts for kids
Penfield, Georgia is a small historic village in Greene County, Georgia, United States. It was founded shortly after 1829. The town was named after Josiah Penfield, a merchant from Savannah, Georgia. He left money to help start a school.
This gift led to the creation of a manual labor school in 1833. It was first called Mercer Institute. In 1837, it became Mercer University. The university was named after Rev. Jesse Mercer, who also gave a lot of money to the school.
As Mercer University grew, so did Penfield. A school for girls opened in 1838. The town also got a post office, a bank, and shops. There were even places that printed newspapers and magazines like the Christian Index. Homes in Penfield were often built to house students, adding to the town's charm.
However, tough times came with the American Civil War. Mercer University moved to Macon, Georgia in 1871. Penfield then relied on its cotton industry to survive.
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Penfield's Historic Buildings
Today, Penfield is known for its beautiful old buildings. You can see the Greek Revival architecture of the Old Mercer Chapel. This chapel was built in 1845 and is now the Penfield Baptist Church. There are also community churches, a town cemetery, and Victorian style homes. These homes were built when the cotton industry was strong.
End of the Cotton Era
The good times for cotton ended around 1919. A tiny insect called the boll weevil destroyed cotton crops. This brought an end to Penfield's prosperity from cotton.
Exploring Old Ruins
You can still see the remains of old buildings in Penfield. These include the town's shops, the bank, and the post office. There are also ruins of Mercer Institute's old science building and dorms. These ruins are near the still-used chapel, just above the old town square on East Main Street.
Penfield Cemetery
The Penfield Cemetery is a short walk from Penfield Road. Many important community leaders are buried here. One famous person buried here is Jesse Mercer, who the university is named after. Another is Etta Colclough Whelchel. She was one of the first women to graduate from the University of Georgia. She helped start the university's first Y.W.C.A. branch.
Behind the main Penfield Cemetery wall, there is also a historic burial ground for enslaved people. Some markers are still visible, showing where people were laid to rest.
Penfield Historic District
In 1976, the village of Penfield was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized for its important role in architecture, education, and religion between 1825 and 1874. The Penfield Historic District covers about 305 acres (1.2 square kilometers).
Important Places in the District
This historic area includes the Old Mercer Chapel (now Penfield Baptist Church), Sanders Chapel, and Penfield Presbyterian Church. It also includes the Penfield Cemetery and more than a dozen notable old houses.
How to Visit Penfield
The Penfield Historic District is located about seven miles (10 kilometers) north of Greensboro, Georgia. You can find it on GA 5925, also known as Penfield Road.
Directions from Atlanta
If you are coming from Atlanta, Georgia, travel east on Interstate 20. Drive about 73 miles (117 kilometers) to Greensboro (exit 130).
- Take exit 130 and turn left onto GA-44/Lake Oconee Parkway.
- Follow GA-44 for 2.7 miles (4.3 kilometers) into Greensboro.
- Turn right at the first traffic light onto East Broad St./GA-12/GA-15.
- Turn left at the first traffic light onto N. East St. for 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers).
- N. East St. becomes Penfield Rd./GA 5925.
- Follow Penfield Rd. for 5.8 miles (9.3 kilometers) to reach Penfield.
