Discover Woolsey's History
“Woolsey has an interesting past. When I was growing up in Inman, a northern suburb,
Woolsey had a grammar school, two stores, a cotton gin, a railroad and a large
peach-growing and shipping operation. Before the Great Crash of ‘29 there was a bank,
a nice collection of shops, a doctor, a hotel, and a place that made buggies and wagons.”
Friends of Historic Woolsey is dedicated to preserving, honoring, and sharing Woolsey’s history for future generations. Named for Dr. Isaac Gray Woolsey, a minister, doctor, farmer, landowner, and philanthropist, Woolsey, originally known as Woolseyville, was once a thriving community.
At its heyday, Woolsey included a train depot, school, bank, post office, jail, blacksmith shop, cotton gin, peach packing plant, general store, church, and other businesses. The Atlanta Hawkinsville Railroad carried cotton, peaches, and other crops north to Atlanta. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was also a frequent passenger through Woolsey on his way to Warm Springs.
Today, our focus is preserving Historic Woolsey Church, Historic Woolsey Cemetery, the historic grounds, and the century old oak trees that define this special landscape. Through partnerships with local government, businesses, community members, donors, and preservation supporters, we are working to protect and share Woolsey’s architectural, natural, and cultural heritage.
Woolsey’s story is also a story of family, community, and memory. Dr. Woolsey’s vision helped establish the community and the landmarks we cherish today. Generations later, Georgia Writers Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Ferrol Sams Jr., who grew up nearby, captured the traditions, folklore, customs, and memories of this rural community in works such as Run with the Horsemen and Christmas Gift!
We are proud to honor these legacies by continuing the work Dr. Woolsey began more than a century ago, ensuring the history, stories, and unique sense of place that make Woolsey special endure for generations to come.
Glimpses of Woolsey
With people moving into towns and counties surrounding Atlanta, both Woolsey and Fayette County continue to grow. Today, Woolsey has 226 residents who proudly cherish the town motto, "Where Life is Slower and Simpler." As the smallest town in Fayette County, Woolsey holds a unique place among the region's 28 metro counties, preserving a deep sense of local identity and tight-knit community.That unique character is rooted in a rich history. Established in the late 19th century, the town grew from its agricultural and railroad roots into a quiet rural haven. From the old peach packing plant, historic church, stores, and historic schoolhouse to the generations of families who shaped its foundation, Woolsey's story is defined by resilience, community milestones, and a shared dedication to protecting its past for the future.
Town Landmarks & Architecture
Historic Woolsey Church (Photo Courtesy of Fayette County Historical Society)
The Historic Woolsey Church building (originally Harmony Grove Missionary Baptist Church), a quiet spiritual anchor for the community, being faithfully restored to look as it did in 1889. Generations of residents gathered here for worship, weddings, and milestones that tied the town together.
Woolsey Town Hall (Photo by Gary Laggis © 2019)
The rehabilitated Woolsey Town Hall. Through dedicated community effort, this historic building has been rehabilitated as a central gathering place for the town.
Mercantile Before Rehabilitation (Photo by Gary Laggis © 2019)
The historic Woolsey mercantile prior to its rehabilitation. This snapshot captures the raw, historic character of the building before local volunteers brought it back to life.
Gay Woolsey Home (Photo by Jack Gilson © 2016)
The historic home where I. G. and Arva Woolsey lived, showcasing the traditional architecture that gave the town its timeless rural charm. Though privately owned, this piece of local history was sadly lost to a fire in 2021.
John Morgan McLean Home (from the Linda Blum-Barton Collection)
The historic John Morgan McLean family home. This family helped establish and build the early community.
Education & Early Days
Original Woolsey School (Courtesy of Gary Laggis)
Generations of local children walked through these doors. Long before consolidated districts, the old schoolhouse served as the heart of education and community gatherings in Woolsey, shaping the lives of early residents.
Woolsey Consolidated School (Photo by Jenny Burdette Photography © 2021)Woolsey Consolidated School Plaque, honoring the educational roots and childhood memories shared by past generations of town residents.
Train Depot – Ben Roberts Collection (Courtesy of The Southern Railway Historical Association)
The historic train depot in Woolsey. The railroad was the lifeblood of early development, connecting this small rural area to the broader region and driving trade.
Pre Hwy 92 Woolsey, GA (from the Bobby Jackson Collection)A historic view of Woolsey before Highway 92, capturing the peaceful, open landscape before modern roads transformed the community.
Local Industry & Community Life
Peach Packing Plant (Courtesy of the Fayette County Historical Society)
The historic peach packing plant in Woolsey. Agriculture drove the local economy and brought neighbors together for the seasonal harvest.
Peach Packing Plant Workers (Courtesy of the Fayette County Historical Society)
A group of the hardworking men and women at the Woolsey peach packing plant. Their labor and community spirit powered the town's early economic life.
Aerial View of Woolsey (© early 1950s) (Courtesy Sylvia Schell)
An aerial view of the town of Woolsey in early 1950s. A fascinating bird's eye perspective showing the layout of the rural community mid-century.
Milestones & Memories
Centennial Celebration (Photo by James Lovett © 1993)
The community gathered during the Woolsey Centennial Celebration in 1993, sealing a time capsule to honor one hundred years of local history, resilience, and small town pride.
From the Mayor of Woolsey, Georgia
After seeing how the restoration of the old mercantile store revitalized the identity of Woolsey, I'm truly thrilled to see the same level of care and effort now being put into restoring Historic Woolsey Church. The building sits at the heart of our town, and bringing it back to its original, vibrant state will not only strengthen Woolsey's identity but also deepen the connection among all who call this community home.
Preserving this church is deeply important to me—not only as a piece of our shared history but as a way to honor the Woolsey family and the vision they had when they founded this town so long ago. It's now up to all of us to carry that legacy forward—to maintain our small-town character, protect our sense of community, and preserve this historic centerpiece so future generations can gather here with pride and purpose.
Ron Smith
Mayor, Town of Woolsey
“We search and we ask because it matters.
Because history without understanding the hearts of the people who made it,
is just a bunch of dates. Let us change the course of that wind.
Let us teach the next generations what it is that truly matters.”
–Joanne Bischof, from The Gold in These Hills
.jpg)
Newest Blogs