Page 23 - Carroll County NCG 2019
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Villa Rica Residents
VILLA RICA Speaking of Carroll County . . .
Population 15,345 Georgia’s First Gold Rush 4 Gold discovered in 1826
Villa Rica is governed by a mayor and four council members who regulate and 4 Incorporated in 1881 “Villa Rica isn’t a city, it’s a village of people
support the day-to-day operations and the city manager. The Villa Rica Police 4 Name means “rich village” to help promote the gold in the truest sense of the word. People talk
Department is an exceptional agency that holds a Georgia Association of Chiefs 4 Unique, interesting and historical downtown and laugh and raise their families here. And
of Police certification. The Carroll County Fire Department has one of its 13 4 Walking City we are close enough to the City of Atlanta to
stations on Old Highway 61 in Villa Rica. make it to major entertainment and shopping
4 Active merchant association opportunities and yet a few miles from
4 Recent commercial growth at two 1-20 access points the country. I wouldn’t want to live
4 Pine Mountain Gold Museum anywhere else but Carroll County.”
~ Jeff Reese, Mayor, Villa Rica
HISTORICAL HOT SPOT
Wick's Tavern was built in 1830 and is the oldest commercial
structure in West Georgia. It was originally a hub for local
gold miners gathered during the 19th century. It was left
behind when the Georgia-Pacific Railroad came through in
1882, and homes and business were moved to present day
Villa Rica. Over a hundred years later, in 1998, “Friends of
Wick’s Tavern” raised the money to move the building to
Wick's Tavern downtown Villa Rica where it now serves as a museum.
Carroll County Chamber of Commerce www.carroll-ga.org | 770-832-2446 19