Frequently Asked Questions

City of Winterville

Frequently Asked Questions

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Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ page). Below, we have tried to answer the most common questions visitors to this our Web site may have. If you find that your question is not answered on this page, please E-mail us winterville@charter.net or call us during business hours, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 706-742-8600.

1. Q: Why is your town the only municipality located in Athens-Clarke County?

A: Because the town of Athens chose to give up its city charter in 1991 when Athens and Clarke County unified their governments. Parts of Bogart also are located within Athens-Clarke County, but the city of Winterville is the only municipality located entirely within Athens-Clarke County. Though Athens-Clarke County is a city/county, Winterville still looks to that government as our county and receives services from the county. Citizens of Winterville pay Athens-Clarke County taxes as well as City of Winterville taxes.

2. Q: Why was the annual Winterville Marigold Festival discontinued for 5 years?

A: In 2003, due to a lack of volunteers, the Marigold Festival, Inc. Board of Directors chose to discontinue the festival, but the good news is, it's coming back in 2009! The festival began in 1971, and for many years it provided funds to improve and beautify the Winterville community. Now, with new leadership and old and new volunteers we're already in the process of making plans for the 2009 Marigold Festival! Come and join us!

For more information about the Winterville Marigold Festival, click here.

3. Q: Are there any Winters left in Winterville?

A: No. But there are several Winter family houses located within the city limits. One is the home of John Winter, one of Winterville’s earliest settlers. This house, located behind the Methodist church, was built in the 1850s and is home today to Bob and Leita Pittard Cobb. Another Winter home is across from this house, on Main St. Another Winter home is located behind the Winterville First Baptist Church.

5. Q: When was the old bank building on the square built?

A: 1912. It was built and owned by John Pittard and once served as the Winterville branch of the U.S. Post Office.

7. Q: When did the city purchase the historic depot?

A: The Winterville Depot, once called the Six-Mile Train Station, was purchased by the city in 1982 and renovated for use as a community center and town hall. City Council meetings and other meetings were held in the depot for several years. Today, our depot has been renovated once again through the general funding of a Department of Transportation grant. The depot is the heart of our community and is host to many community meetings and social functions. Click here to read more about the depot. We will add more information to this website on the depot's history soon.

9. Q: Does Winterville have a train?

A: Yes! Winterville is proud to own a train ride, The Marigold Express. This popular attraction was built by former police chief Ed Fleeman and his son Darryl. The little red caboose, better known as the Red Robin Caboose, was built by local carpenter, Lee Tolbert, and named for his daughter, Robin.

4. Q: When did Winterville High School close?

A: 1956. For many years, Winterville High School was the center of our community. Over the years, the school produced several championship basketball teams. We plan to add more information on Winterville High School to this website.

6. Q: Where did the Winterville library building come from?

A: The building was moved from the now abandoned Clarke County's poor farm, which was located near the present day Athens-Clarke County police department on Lexington Road. In the days before welfare, citizens of Clarke County who had no place else to go could live in one of the cottages such as our library, located at the poor farm.

8. Q: Where is the Hunnicutt House?

A: The historic Hunnicutt House or Hunnicutt Hotel is located on Main Street, across from the Methodist Church. Once used as a hotel for traveling drummers, or salesmen, who would stop in Winterville to pedal their wares, the Hunnicutt Hotel is also the site where the Winterville Iceberg newspaper was published. Today, this building which has ten rooms, each with its own fireplace and private entrance, is a private home.