Callaway Gardens
| Callaway Gardens | |
|---|---|
Callaway Gardens Lodge and Spa
|
|
 |
|
| Location | Harris County, Georgia, USA |
| Nearest city | Pine Mountain, Georgia |
| Coordinates | 32°50′41″N 84°51′05″W / 32.844765°N 84.851453°WCoordinates: 32°50′41″N 84°51′05″W / 32.844765°N 84.851453°W |
| Area | 13,000 acres (52.61 km2; 20.31 sq mi) |
| Established | 1952 |
| Visitors | 750,000 |
Callaway Gardens is a 6,500 acres (2,600 ha) resort complex located in Pine Mountain, Georgia, just outside Columbus, Georgia. The destination draws over 750,000 visitors annually.
Callaway Gardens was founded in 1952 by Cason J. and Virginia Hand Callaway to promote and protect native azalea species. His son, Bo Callaway, helped develop and run the garden. Today, Callaway Gardens features a wide variety of recreational attractions including a large enclosed butterfly habitat, the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center. The native palm Sabal minor maintains one of its northernmost populations in the area.
The garden was originally conceived in 1930 after Cason J. Callaway discovered a rare azalea growing in the area. Callaway Gardens opened on May 21, 1952, as the Ida Cason Gardens, with a number of lakes, a golf course, and scenic drives. The gardens were named for the mother of founder Cason J. Callaway. Robin Lake Beach and the Overlook Azalea Garden opened the following year in 1953. In 1955, The gardens were renamed Ida Cason Callaway Gardens. The Masters Water-ski Tournament, now an annual event called the Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament, held its first competition in 1959.
On April 12, 1961, founder Cason J. Callaway died and was succeeded as Chairman of the Board by his wife, co-founder Virginia Hand Callaway.
The gardens have experienced numerous expansions following Cason Callaway's death. The Cason J. Callaway Memorial Forest opened in 1972, and was designated a National Natural Landmark by the United States Department of the Interior. Robin Lake was the site of a terrible ferry accident in the 70's. The John A. Sibley Horticultural Center opened in 1984 (closed in 2015). Mr. Cason's Vegetable Garden (closed in 2015) was the location for years of TV shows about growing vegetable gardens, most notably the southern edition of The Victory Garden. The annual Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens ran its first race in 1985. The Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center opened on September 25, 1988. "Fantasy In Lights", a Christmas light display, debuted in 1992. In 1999, the Azalea Bowl opened as well as the premiere of the Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival. In 2000, the Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center was opened.
...
Wikipedia