| The New Manchester Manufacturing Company mill was a five-story, water-powered textile mill that began operating on Sweetwater Creek in 1849. Renamed New Manchester in 1858 after the English textile city, the mill produced cloth and uniforms for the Confederate army during the Civil War until Union troops under General Sherman burned it on July 9, 1864, along with the adjoining town and general store. The mill's female and child workers were arrested and deported north as part of the broader roundup of Roswell and New Manchester mill workers. The brick and stone ruins still stand along the Red Trail within Sweetwater Creek State Park. Erosion made the site too dangerous to approach starting in 2015, prompting a preservation project that repointed mortar joints, capped exposed surfaces against standing water, and braced the remaining brick piers and walls so visitors can continue to view the ruins from the trail. Beyond the mill, the trail climbs rocky bluffs to provide views of the beautiful mile-long stretch of white-water rapids below. The 215-acre George Sparks Reservoir is popular with anglers and provides a pretty setting for feeding ducks and canoeing. Fishing supplies are available in the park's bait shop, while wildlife and history displays, trail maps, snacks and gift items may be found in the Visitor Center, the most environmentally responsible building in Georgia (LEED-NC PLATINUM). |
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Amenities at Sweetwater Creek State Park |
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Park is 2549 acres in size.  1 group shelter with barbeque pit - seats 15048 picnic sites11 picnic sheltersvisitor center - museumplaygrounds215-acre George Sparks Reservoir Lakebait shop2 fishing docks - Private boats and canoes allowedgift shopranger programsRed History Hiking Trail - 1 mile one way. Blazed red. Rated easy to difficult.Blue Nature Trail - 2 miles one way. Blazed blue. Rated moderate to difficult. A steep climb down to the falls deck.White Trail - 3 miles one way. Blazed white. Rated moderate to difficult.Yellow (east side) Trail - 3-mile loop. Blazed yellow. Rated moderate to difficult. Directions - Take I-20 west from Atlanta, Exit #44 to Thornton Road. Turn left and go 1/4 mile. Turn right on Blaires Bridge Road. After 2 miles, turn left on Mount Vernon Road and proceed to park. |
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| Phone, Address and Directions | |
| Phone: 770-732-5871 - Address: Sweetwater Creek State Park, 1750 Mt. Vernon Road, Lithia Springs Georgia 30122 - Directions - Take I-20 west from Atlanta, Exit #44 to Thornton Road. Turn left and go 1/4 mile. Turn right on Blaires Bridge Road. After 2 miles, turn left on Mount Vernon Road and proceed to park. | |
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