Dowdell's Knob - Pine Mountain, Georgia

One of my favorite historic sites in Georgia is Dowdell's Knob. Located high atop Pine Mountain, it was a favorite spot of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Stricken with polio, Roosevelt first came to Georgia to in hopes that the natural warm springs that flowed from Pine Mountain might hold curative properties. While he did not find a cure for polio, he did find that swimming in the pools at Warm Springs was good exercise and did make him feel better.

Roosevelt fell in love with the rolling ridges and scenic views around Warm Springs and in 1932 built his Little White House just outside the community. He spent a great deal of time there after being elected President of the United States.

President Roosevelt loved to get out and explore the area, usually behind the wheel of his hand-controlled car. His favorite place to picnic was Dowdell's Knob, a ridge and hilltop that projected from the northern end of Pine Mountain. The President often spent a great deal of time there and even had a stone grill erected.

Roosevelt's grill still stands on Dowdell's Knob, which is now a part of Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park. In addition, visitors can see a statue of the President and read interpretive panels explaining the historical significance ot the site, while also enjoying the picnic area featuring the same views once enjoyed by Roosevelt himself.

To learn more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/dowdellsknob.