Villa Rica, Georgia, one of the fastest growing cities in the state, lies just 35 miles west of Atlanta. Interstate 20 passes south of the town, while the Old Bankhead Highway (U.S. Highway 78), constructed in 1917, passes through the town. The proximity to Atlanta lets Villa Rica residents experience small town life while enjoying the benefits of a nearby metropolitan area with an international airport, cultural events and major sports venues.
History
Villa Rica, Spanish for Rich Village, was named to promote the discovery of gold in this area. Miners began prospecting in Villa Rica in 1826, three years before the Georgia gold rush began in 1829. At the peak of the gold rush, more than 19 mines were registered in Villa Rica.
The town was originally established as Hixtown. When the railroad came through the area in 1882, many of the buildings from Hixtown and nearby Chevestown were moved to the present site of Villa Rica. These early buildings are part of the area now known as the North Villa Rica Commercial Historic District. The town was incorporated in 1881.
Several churches were formed during this early period including the First Presbyterian Church, founded in 1826, Mt. Prospect Baptist Church, formed in July 1887, and First United Methodist Church, founded during the early mining period, with the present building constructed in 1905.
Activities and Events
Children and adults can pan for gold at the Pine Mountain Gold Museum at Stockmar Park. The museum features many family-oriented activities that delve into the mining history of the area. Take a tour of a gold mine or ride the Pine Mountain Scenic Railroad and experience the 1830s gold rush.
Villa Rica is a Main Street town, blending the offerings of present-day businesses, tourism and the important economic and architectural heritage of Carroll and Douglas counties to form a vibrant downtown area. Every Tuesday local farmers display their produce at The Market at the Mill, the downtown farmer’s market. The amphitheater is host to concerts, dramatic presentations and shows. Downtown restaurants range from formal French cuisine to authentic Mexican fare.
Several nearby lakes provide family recreational activities including water sports, fishing, boating, hike and bike trails and nature exploration.
Merrell and Associates Heating and Air Conditioning Service
Merrell has been a familiar name in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) in the area around Carrollton and Villa Rica since 1952 when the founder, R. Ellis Merrell, began his air conditioning service. Merrell and Associates was created when George Lenaeus and Jim Collins joined in 1979. Since then, our focus on excellent customer service and technological expertise has earned us several distinctions including designation as a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer and recipient of the Carrier Distinguished Dealer award.
We are a full-service heating and air conditioning company with a sheet metal workshop. We not only install, maintain and service all types of HVAC equipment, but make our own duct work and other sheet metal components required for new installations. Our services include:
• New furnace, heat pump and air conditioner installations
• Design for new installations and retrofitting
• Geothermal heat pumps
• Preventive maintenance
• Scheduled service for furnace and air conditioning repairs
• 24-hour emergency service, seven days a week
• Attractive financing
• 100 percent customer satisfaction
• Affiliation with the Conditioned Air Association of Georgia (CAAG)
• Licensed in Georgia and Alabama
• Sheet metal services
The heat and humidity of Georgia summers demands adequate cooling and moisture removal. If you are having difficulty with your air conditioner, our North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certified technicians can help. We provide free estimates and make sure that you understand what needs to be done before we start.