Downtown Walking Tour

This self-guided tour is designed to give you a look at the historic buildings, architecture and people who helped shape the city of Thomson and the Historic Commercial District. The homes on this tour are private residences or businesses, so please be courteous of the owners and view from the sidewalk.

More info about each site can be found by clicking or touching the individual numbers on the map below.

Or you can print out a copy of the map and descriptions here.

You can park at the Depot and the tour will walk you back around to that area. You will walk about 1.25 miles. Below are some highlights of what you will see.

Commerce: Site 1 is the heart of Thomson’s downtown and business district. Prior to the railroad coming through, this area was known as Hickory Level and sometimes Frog Pond (because of an abundance of bullfrogs at the time). It 1853 the town was renamed for railroad official John Edgar Thomson, who surveyed the railroad through the area. In 1870, Thomson was designated seat of the newly formed McDuffie County. It was incorporated as a town in 1854 and as a city in 1870.

While looking at sites 3 & 4, look for the store names that are still on the sidewalk. Kunnes and Hadaways. These 2 department stores anchored both ends of the block at one time. Hadaway’s goes back to 1910 and is now Highrail, Southern Eatery restaurant.

Banks and Residences: Banking was also a huge part of Thomson’s business district, and some of the beautiful homes you will see along your walk were either built by or lived in by bank presidents.The first bank organized in the area was the Bank of Thomson, chartered July 31, 1891.

Church & Cemetery: Thomson First United Methodist Church is known in the community as “the church with the stained glass windows.” Three large palladium windows occupy most of three of the four main sanctuary walls. Thomson Memorial Cemetery was established in 1853. The earliest marked grave is that of Mary Sutton, who died on June 5, 1855. The Thomson Memorial Cemetery represents part of the 19th century “Rural Cemetery Movement” which advocated moving cemeteries away from church-yards into more park-like settings.

Thomas E. Watson: Born here on September 5, 1856, Watson was an American politician, attorney, newspaper editor and writer. Elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1890, Watson pushed through legislation mandating Rural Free Delivery, called the "biggest and most expensive endeavor" ever instituted by the U.S. postal service. Two of Watson’s homes are on this tour, the small, simple cabin he was born and and the high style Victorian that was his home before he was elect to the US Senate.

Architecture: As you turn onto Lee Street, you will see a wide variety of home design styles: Italiante, International, Federalist, American Foursquare and Craftsman; just to name a few. All of these homes are private residences, so please enjoy the view from the sidewalk.

If you worked up an appetite during your walk, there are 3 restaurants within walking distance: Hogie Joe’s, Fernanda’s and Highrail. There are several others with in an easy drive. A list of dining establishments can be found here. And don’t forget to do some shopping, too! Uncle Junk, Thrifty Chick, and Southern Magnolia Farmhouse Boutique are within walking distance. A list of all shopping can be found here.