Heritage Park in McDonough

Making the Past Fun

What was life like in Henry County at the turn of the century? A tour of 129-acre Heritage Park offers some clues, including the county’s first library and a 1933 steam locomotive. Other features that stood out for my family were the Veteran’s Wall of Honor, Heritage Park Veteran’s Museum and the Heritage Community Garden.

The Veteran’s Wall of Honor is a 75-foot long granite wall that is engraved with depictions of battle scenes. The wall also includes famous quotes by our nation’s leaders and excerpts from inspirational poems. This national monument honors all veterans, living and deceased, for their service and sacrifice to our country. Dedicated on Nov. 11, 2008, the wall sits on the hilltop of Heritage Park. The United States flag is in the center of the monument, surrounded by the 50 state flags and the emblems of all the military branches. An annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony is held on the 11th month, of the 11th day, at the 11th hour.

Just outside of The Heritage Park Veteran’s Museum is a 1972 UH1 Huey. The medevac helicopter was dedicated to Pilot CW2 Melvin C. Rebholz. From 1967 to July 1968, he flew more than 200 missions in the Vietnam War. The museum is a tribute to all veterans and their families and to those that are currently serving our armed forces now and in the future. Inside the museum are vehicles, uniforms and artifacts from America’s wars. There is also a display of the two Henry County Medal of Honor recipients and a Henry County Fallen Hero area.

The park is full of unique structures, one of which is Henry County’s modest first library. The library stood on John Frank Ward Boulevard in McDonough for more than 60 years before being moved to Heritage Park. The park also offers a community garden established in 2003. This nonprofit, volunteer organization’s aim is to promote a better sense of community through gardening. The garden serves as a vital food source for the community’s seniors and needy families. The garden also was established to preserve gardening skills for future generations.

The 1933 Steam Locomotive that’s inside the park is similar to the train that was a part of “Georgia’s Titanic,” the Camp Creek accident that occurred on June 23, 1900, killing 39 people. The locomotive’s number is the same as that of the Camp Creek engine, the “Old #7.” The locomotive is the last of its kind to be built that operated with steam.

Heritage Park offers an interactive history lesson and a great learning experience for all ages. All of the renovated historic buildings really put the past into perspective. My 8-year-old twins, Jayson and Jaxson, thought it was “cool” to travel back in time.
– Marteeta Cannon Spradling