Start Your Adventure!
Catch "Nan" if you can! For the 2023 Passport Theme, NCHS will be highlighting Historical Markers located around Coweta County. These markers include those designated by the Georgia Historical Trust and markers created to honor special events/people in Coweta County. These markers share the history of Coweta County from its settlement to modern day. Participants will learn aspects of local history from the markers and answer questions about their adventure to solve a scavenger hunt along the way!
About Passport to Coweta County
The Newnan-Coweta Historical Society has been presenting the Passport to Coweta County since 2019. Passport to Coweta County is an outdoor exhibit that encourages families to explore different locations, areas, and experiences throughout Newnan and the surrounding Coweta County area. Families are asked to visit historical sites including battlefields, museums, and WWII-era homes and also participate in making history by visiting new sites of interest including the Chattahoochee Bend State Park and LINC multi-use trail. After visiting the historical site, families earn a "stamp" for their passport!
Start your in-person journey at the McRitchie-Hollis Museum or at Hillcrest Funeral Home where you can pick up a passport booklet for a $5 donation (active Newnan-Coweta Historical Society members receive a free booklet). Each visit earns you a stamp. Adventurers that complete the passport by the end of the summer can exchange their "stamps" at the McRitchie-Hollis Museum for a congratulatory prize!
About our Sponsor
The land on which Hillcrest Chapel sits was originally a 202 ½ acre lot won in the 1827 Georgia Land Lottery. After a few different property owners, John. B Wilcoxon purchased the land.
Willcoxon (1823-1896) came to Newnan from his father’s farm in the county in 1843 to practice law. Willcoxon headed a company of cavalry from Coweta during the Civil War. Both before and after the war he managed a large plantation from this property. In 1867, Colonel Willcoxon built a cotton yarn factory and became one of Coweta County’s most successful businessmen. He also served as a member of the House of Representatives from 1875-1876 and was described in 1895 as “one of Coweta County’s best and wealthiest citizens.”
In 1913, the property was purchased by the children of Samuel James Arnold and Monterrey Houston Arnold. The Arnold children owned the house for nearly 40 years. In 1950, Daniel B. Blalock Sr purchased the property and a funeral home opened in the house in 1953.
Hillcrest Chapel was nominated for a 1991 Georgia Trust for
Historic Preservation Award. On May 20, 1991 the Willcoxon
/Amold House was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Hillcrest Chapel has been continuously serving the community for 60 plus years. The Hillcrest Chapel owners and staff are proud to not only carry on this tradition of excellence in funeral service but also preserve this historic structure for future generations.