From unique annual events to history greats, Griffin offers visitors the right amount of quirkiness
GRIFFIN-SPALDING COUNTY, GEORGIA—JANUARY 2022—Located just 40 miles south of Atlanta, Griffin-Spalding is a busy, yet uncrowded destination steeped in small town charm, with just the right amount of quirkiness to pique the interest of visitors and locals alike. The once railroad boomtown has evolved into a diverse community offering entertainment, rich history, stunning architecture, leisure recreation and more. Visitors to the area are greeted with Southern hospitality and that’s only the beginning. There’s so much to discover in Griffin-Spalding!
Be entertained
It doesn’t get much more entertaining than the Western figure John Henry “Doc” Holliday, Griffin’s native son. The infamous gunslinger grew up in Griffin and later returned after dental school. However, his return did not last long as he soon headed west to Texas. But Griffin is a place that likes to celebrate their own and with that in mind, each year folks come to the area from near and far to attend the Doc Holliday Festival. This annual event is complete with reenactments, a Barbeque Champion Contest, local vendors, family entertainment and more. This event is not to be missed the weekend after Labor Day.
Looking for sporting entertainment? Griffin serves that, too! Each year, Griffin hosts the annual Georgia Pickleball Games at Wyomia Tyus Olympic Park. With 18 pickleball courts, there’s no shortage of pickleball entertainment happening during this special event. The annual event draws pickleball enthusiasts and athletes from every nook and cranny of Georgia and beyond. Wyomia Tyus Olympic Park, 1301 Cowan Road, Griffin, Georgia 30223
Griffin’s greats
Griffin is undeniably rich in history and the area’s supportive community has served as a launching pad for many natives dating back to the 1800s. One of Griffin’s earliest greats is Dox Thrash, an innovative and influential artist who was born and raised in Griffin. At the age of 15, he left Griffin to head north and after serving in World War I, he turned his focus to fine printmaking. Thrash later co-invented the process of carborundum mezzotint, a printmaking technique. He used this technique as his primary medium for most of his career and created some of his greatest works using it.
Another trailblazer who called Griffin home is Janet Harmon Bragg, the first African American woman to hold a commercial pilot’s license. As a child growing up in Griffin, she enjoyed birdwatching and was fascinated by aerodynamics which later led to her pursuing her dream in aviation. A large, vibrant mural honoring her can be seen in downtown Griffin. She later lived in Illinois and Arizona and was enshrined in the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame in 2000. Earlier this year, she was also inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame. Bragg remained an actively licensed pilot for 35 years and logged over 2000 flying hours.
Visitors also enjoy learning about Griffin’s great athletes at the Griffin-Spalding Athletic Hall of Fame. Located on Memorial Drive in Griffin, the Hall of Fame features many of Griffin’s great local athletes including three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Wyomia Tyus. Wyomia was the first person to win consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 100-meter dash. Growing up in Griffin, her father, a dairy farmer in the area, encouraged her to participate in sports and the rest is history. Others featured in the Hall of Fame include Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee/Dallas Cowboy Rayfield Wright, Atlanta Falcon great Jessie Tuggle and Chicago Bears superstar and track star, Willie Gault. The Griffin-Spalding Athletic Hall of Fame is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Griffin-Spalding Athletic Hall of Fame, 841 Memorial Drive, Griffin, Georgia, 30224.