Unusual Places With Stories To Tell
In every town, there are hidden attractions that have unique lore or historical significance. Macon has a few that would surprise even the seasoned traveler!
From hidden religious sites to a nearly 200-years-old "beer cave": Prepare to learn about the unusual sites and stories of Macon.
Bond Tomb
Hidden at the bottom of a quiet staircase at the far edge of Rose Hill Cemetery, the Bond Tomb will transport you through time to 1859, when it was built for one of Georgia's wealthiest men, Joseph Bond. Though time has stripped away many of its original details, including four marble statues that once surrounded the site, the remaining angel monument still gives the tomb an eerie beauty.
This unexpectedly became a legendary piece of music history in 1969, when the Allman Brothers Band used it as the backdrop for their debut album. Nearby stone steps that once led visitors down to the Ocmulgee River now stop suddenly at railroad tracks — another unforgettable location featured in the band’s iconic photos.
Learn More
BEER CAVE
At the back of Linwood Cemetery, a curious opening in the hillside might catch your eye. What looks like an animal den is actually the remains of one of Georgia’s oldest breweries. In the late 1830s, Bavarian brewer Jacob Russell and German partner Julius Petersused this cave to age ale and German lagers for their company, Russell & Peters Brewery.
From the mouth of the cave, the passage extends roughly 50 feet below the surface. You’ll find it near the memorial for Sgt. Rodney M. Davis—follow the path to the right, and it will slope downward toward the entrance. But tread carefully: a nearby shaft drops nearly 25 feet straight down.
Though unsafe to enter today, this hidden relic of Macon’s brewing past remains one of the city’s most fascinating and unusual sites.
THE GROTTO
Known as “The Grotto,” this peaceful religious site was once used by students of St. Stanislaus College to reflect on their journey to priesthood. Built in the early 19th century, it was designed as a replica of the Grotto of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes, France. On November 7, 1921, tragedy struck when the college burned down—but The Grotto remained open for students for four more years.
Over time, the land changed hands several times, leading to much of the property’s destruction. Thankfully, the current owners have made it private and are working to preserve what remains. A replica statue of Mary now stands where the original once did, surrounded by fragments of the site’s historic statues and stonework.
Today, the only way to view The Grotto is by joining a tour offered by the Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences or booking a special Airbnb connected to the property.
THE PROPELLER PLAQUE
To round out the list, look down as you pass Parish on Cherry—you might notice a small plane propeller embedded in the sidewalk. Easy to overlook, this memorial marks the site of Macon’s worst plane crash.
In 1928, during the Southeastern Air Derby, pilots Buck Steele and Lucky Ashcraft flew over downtown, hoping to capture more attention for the event. As they released aerial bomb fireworks from the plane, disaster struck when one backfired. The aircraft crashed into the street—right where Parish now stands—killing both pilots and injuring several pedestrians.
The small plaque that rests there today serves as a quiet reminder of that tragic day and honors those who lost their lives.
