Why McDonough
McDonough is a city in central Georgia that serves as the seat of Henry County. Situated approximately 28 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta, the community forms part of the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. Founded in 1823 and named in honor of naval officer Commodore Thomas Macdonough, the town originally functioned as a relay stop on the stagecoach route running between New York City and New Orleans, while connecting to other regional stage lines.
Spanning a total area of 12.9 square miles—consisting of 12.7 square miles of land and 0.2 square miles of water—McDonough offers straight-forward regional access. Interstate 75 passes through the southwestern portion of the city via Exits 216, 218, and 221, connecting northwest toward Atlanta and southeast to Macon. U.S. Route 23 runs directly through the city center, accompanied by various state routes and public transit options provided by Xpress GA bus service.
The layout of McDonough centers on a historic town square established during its founding, where many original surrounding buildings remain standing. Notable landmarks around the downtown area include the Henry County Courthouse, a historic jail, and a restored 1920 Standard Oil station that functions as a Welcome Center. Just east of the square, the Henry County Courthouse Annex features a large 1942 oil painting titled "Cotton Gin" by artist Jean Charlot. The downtown McDonough Historic District, along with several other properties, is recorded on the National Register of Historic Places.
Community life centers around recurring cultural highlights and local institutions. Every spring on the third Saturday in May, the McDonough Lions Club hosts the Geranium Festival on the town square, offering live musical performances and open-air craft markets centered on locally grown flowers. The city's classic streetscapes have also served as production locations for major motion pictures and television series, including Smokey and the Bandit, Glory, and A Madea Christmas. Additionally, the municipality hosts educational facilities such as Atlanta Bible College, Grace Biblical Seminary, and satellite campuses for Gordon State College and Mercer University.
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