Carting Around in Peachtree City, Georgia
A lot has happened to this area since then. In 1965, the dream of a self-contained city became reality with a volunteer fire department, a police force, and elementary school. In 1972, it received its own zip code.
The amphitheater opened with their first show, “McIntosh Trail.” This was the story of Chief William McIntosh, the subject of my latest book, McIntosh Summer. The play was intended to be a tourist draw like “Unto These Hills” the story of the Trail of Tears in Cherokee, NC, or “The Lost Colony” in Manteo, NC. Funding for the project wasn’t forthcoming and the theatre went into bankruptcy. Peachtree City purchased it on the courthouse steps and now produce sold out concerts throughout the year as well as special events.
Peachtree City has over 90 miles of golf cart paths offering access to nearly every place in the boundaries. Businesses have special parking for golf carts, and students 15 years and older are encouraged to drive the family golf cart to school in lieu of the family car. Golf carts have their own convenient parking lots. Police golf carts patrol the wooded paths which are also used by joggers, bikers, and pedestrians. Deer are seen everywhere on the paved paths through the woods.
Peachtree City covers about 26 square miles, including 3 lakes, several parks, businesses and churches. There are 7 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 3 high schools, 6 private schools, and 2 universities. One of the high schools bears the name of William McIntosh. That’s not surprising because the historical McIntosh Trail runs directly through the center of what is now Peachtree City.
Peachtree City is located in Fayette County, Georgia, south of the Atlanta metropolitan area. I visit frequently because my daughter lives there, along with 35,000 other residents. We never knew about the McIntosh connection until after I wrote the book. The McIntosh Reserve in Whitesburg and Carroll County is about 45 minutes from her house. (By car, not by golf cart.)
What would the Chief think if he could see the stampede of golf carts through his wooded wonderland, and all the visitors to the banks of the Flint River?