Downtown Kingston, GA (Rome, Cartersville, Jackson: hotel, weddings, live in)

[mezzogirl]

I'm hoping someone who knows Kingston, GA politics can answer this one for me.
For starters, I'm a joy driver. When I was little, my dad and I drove all over south Louisiana, where I am originally from, almost every weekend and discovered all kinds of nooks and crannies. Since I moved to GA eight years ago, I've been doing the same thing with my kids- which brings me to my question:
Why is Kingston still a town of 700ish people and why is the main street just a place where one sits and watches tumbleweed blow by?
What a significant past this little place has and it's just sitting there, forgotten by time. My first guess would be that there is a corrupt government there that hoards town funds.
I have eaten breakfast at Morrells with my kids and we just love the little area. I have to also wonder why the Desoto Hotel just stands there in ill repair. I'm not saying that this town should be progressive or become some retail hub. I'm just wondering why they are not keeping up with this gem of a downtown. Where are all the Civil War reenactments and such? It could be so much better. Anyone from that are care to fill me in?

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by mezzogirl

Why is Kingston still a town of 700ish people and why is the main street just a place where one sits and watches tumbleweed blow by?

Is that a bad thing?

[1stopwedding]

I live in Kingston and wonder the same thing. I would LOVE LOVE to open the old Hotel up for weddings.

[ccox1918]

Desoto is owned by Mr. Charles Pecchio, local resident who owns most downtown buildings. Plans to open hotel for events--after renovating. Has opened small restaurant across street from grocery store. Very nice. Other growth planned for Main St by Mr. Pecchio.

[Stacy F.]

Bartow County was at one time called Cass County named after General Lewis Cass the Secretary of War under Andrew Jackson. The County Seat was the city of Cassville which was platted in 1833. Cassville did not want the railroad to come through, so the railroad was built through Kingston. A railroad spur to Rome was built from Kingston to Rome, it was located where the park is now. This is the place where Andrew's Raider's had to wait for a south bound train to pass.

Cassville name was changed to Manassas in 1861. In May of 1864 the town of Cassville was destroyed by General Sherman. The name of Cass County was renamed Bartow County in December 1861. Cartersville was first now as Birmingham was incorpoated as Cartersville in 1854. Cartersville was designated the seat of Bartow County in 1867 following the destruction of Manassa (Cassville) by Sherman. Because Cartersville was the county seat and the railroad went through town, the city of Cartersville grew and Kingston died out.

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by Stacy F.

Bartow County was at one time called Cass County named after General Lewis Cass the Secretary of War under Andrew Jackson. The County Seat was the city of Cassville which was platted in 1833. Cassville did not want the railroad to come through, so the railroad was built through Kingston. A railroad spur to Rome was built from Kingston to Rome, it was located where the park is now. This is the place where Andrew's Raider's had to wait for a south bound train to pass.

Cassville name was changed to Manassas in 1861. In May of 1864 the town of Cassville was destroyed by General Sherman. The name of Cass County was renamed Bartow County in December 1861. Cartersville was first now as Birmingham was incorpoated as Cartersville in 1854. Cartersville was designated the seat of Bartow County in 1867 following the destruction of Manassa (Cassville) by Sherman. Because Cartersville was the county seat and the railroad went through town, the city of Cartersville grew and Kingston died out.

Appreciate the history lesson. Missed this thread the first time around, had wondered the same thing.