Douglas County, Georgia Film Trail

Douglas County’s Film Legacy

The state of Georgia has become known as the “Hollywood of the South” and “Y’allywood” for its role as a background for countless television shows and film projects. Thanks in part to government tax incentives, the film industry first took notice in the 1970s and it has since exploded with many productions going on at the same time. Douglas County, west of downtown Atlanta, has cashed in on the action, showing off its locations for well-known television series, independent projects, reality programming and even blockbuster films. The Douglas County Film Trail documents some of these locations, but there are many more. The next time you’re watching something, you might just be seeing Douglas County on screen!

TV Shows
The county’s notable connections to television shows dates back to season 1 of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” when an infected character decides to stay behind and let the disease take hold of him. Another popular show, Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” was shot around Douglas County, starting with Tiffany’s Kitchen, where Eleven steals food before the “bad men” come after her and also downtown, where a building is used as the police station. IFC’s “Stan against Evil” also used these buildings. Other shows to use scenery from the county include Tyler Perry’s “The Haves & the Have Nots,” “Manhunt,” “Finding Carter,” “MacGyver,” and “The Gifted.” Additionally, reality shows have also been filmed in Douglas County.

Movies
But Douglas County has also been featured heavily on the big screen, starting with the classic award-winner “Driving Miss Daisy.” Recently, “Table 19” took over Foxhall Resort as the setting of a wedding weekend romantic comedy, while countless films, including “All Eyez on Me” and “Logan Lucky,” have used the Old Douglas County Jail. “The Founder” built a custom vintage McDonald’s set in a vacant lot. Sweetwater Creek State Park has hosted a number of productions, including “Rampage,” “Killing Season” and “The Hunger Games.” “Big Mommas,” “Killers” and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” also were filmed nearby. DouglasCountyFilmTrail.com

Fast Facts & Trivia

• More than 700 movie and television productions have been filmed in Douglasville and Douglas County, from the classic award-winner “Driving Miss Daisy” and “Smokey and the Bandit” to the TV faves “The Walking Dead” and “Stranger Things.”
• Officially designated Douglas County Film Trail filming locations are marked with distinctive signs: an old-time movie camera.
• The Old Douglas County Courthouse (“All Eyez on Me,” “Logan Lucky”), with its authentic mid-century International-Style architecture, is now the Old Douglas County Courthouse Museum of History and Art.
• Decommissioned in 2013, the old Douglas County Jail has been featured in more sequences than any other location in the county – if not the entire state.
• Douglasville stood in for the 1950s-era midwestern town in “The Founder,” as Ray Kroc’s first burger location. Fans can’t eat at the vintage McDonald’s, as it was a temporary custom set in a vacant lot, but there are several nearby the film trail.
• Sweetwater Creek State Park’s civil war mill ruins and wild terrain have appeared in many films, including “Rampage,” “Killing Season” and “The Hunger Games.” Visitors can also enjoy camping, hiking to the historic ruins, fishing, kayaking and many other activities and events.
• The first season of the extremely popular AMC series “The Walking Dead” filmed Zombie scenes in Douglas County locales. In episode five the show cast’s RV had an unfortunate breakdown on Riverside Parkway near River Road.
• To see the highway intersection where Rick kills his first Zombie, head for the intersections of highways 154 and 92 south of Sweetwater Creek State Park.
• Tyler Perry has been credited with the surge of interest in filming in Metro Atlanta. The writer, director, producer and actor relocated his studios from New Orleans, knowing there was something special here.
• Weddings and receptions can be held in the same rustic-yet-romantic venue featured in Table 19—Foxhall Resort, set on rolling countryside about 25 minutes from the Atlanta airport.

Events

• October 27, 2018: Hawkfest and Family Fun Run & 5K
  Games, bounce houses, carnival-style food, chili cook-off. Small fee
• October 31, 2018: 1st Annual Trunk or Treat
  A night of fun, candy, prizes and more with the entire family
• November 3, 2018: 7th annual Arts & Crafts in the Woods
  Original art works, authors, festival food, fresh pecans, used book sale, and pet adoptions
• November 4, 2018: Old Skool Costume Party
  Old Skool music by DJ Boss Hog, food, live entertainment by old school band, “Touch,” contest prizes and giveaways
• November 25, 2018:Authentic Praise Music
  Concert and food afterward
• June 1-2, 2019: Annual Penny McHenry Hydrangea Festival, Garden Tour and Flower Show
  In honor of the founder of the American Hydrangea Society, in Douglasville, named by Garden & Gun magazine as “The Hydrangea Capitol of the South.”
• Visit the website for complete event details or for a listing of accommodations.

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