PRESS RELEASE: Newly Redesigned Downtown Wayfinding Pillars Celebrate Music, Culture, and History in Historic Downtown Macon
MACON, GA (July 31, 2026) — NewTown Macon and Visit Macon are pleased to unveil newly redesigned wayfinding pillars in the heart of Downtown Macon, enhancing the visitor experience while celebrating the city’s rich musical heritage and deep cultural roots.
The updated pillars replace the original downtown wayfinding cubes installed in 2020 and are located at four key downtown intersections:
- First Street & Poplar Street
- Second Street & Poplar Street
- Second Street & Cherry Street
- Third Street & Cherry Street
Designed as both a navigational resource and storytelling platform, the new pillars help visitors easily explore Macon’s downtown while highlighting the people and history that shaped the city.
A New Visitor Experience
Each pillar features four panels designed to guide visitors and deepen their connection to Macon.
One side of the pillar features a downtown map highlighting parking locations, ATMs, and key visitor amenities, along with QR codes linking to resources and listings for dining, shopping, and attractions.
Another panel provides business listings and directional arrows, helping visitors walk to nearby restaurants, shops, and landmarks.
The design also reflects Macon’s commitment to honoring the region’s Indigenous heritage. Visitors can scan a QR code to hear a recorded pronunciation of Macon’s street names in the Muscogee (Creek) language, as well as learn the story of the land on which the city was built.
Honoring Macon’s Music Legends
Two sides of each pillar are dedicated to celebrating Macon’s legendary music heritage, offering visitors a photo opportunity and interactive QR codes to learn more about the artists who helped shape American music.
The first round of installations will feature six iconic figures and institutions tied to Macon’s musical legacy.
Otis Redding will be honored on the pillar at First Street and Poplar Street, pointing visitors toward Cotton Avenue and commemorating the first anniversary of the Otis Redding Center for the Arts. On the same panel, there is a spotlight on Capricorn Records, the legendary Macon-based label that launched the Southern rock movement, and without the life & tragic passing of Otis Redding, would not exist.
At Second Street and Poplar Street, two panels will celebrate the original make-up of the Allman Brothers Band in partnership with The Big House Museum, honoring the group whose Southern rock sound helped define Macon’s identity as a music city.
A third pillar at Second Street and Cherry Street will honor Little Richard, the Macon-born rock-and-roll pioneer whose electrifying style influenced generations of musicians and helped shape modern popular music, as well as, WIBB, a cornerstone of Macon’s Black radio and music history.
Why These Legends Matter
Few cities have shaped American music as profoundly as Macon.
- Otis Redding helped define the sound of Southern soul and remains one of the most influential voices in American music history.
- Little Richard, born and raised in Macon, is widely regarded as one of the founding architects of rock and roll.
- The Allman Brothers Band, formed in Macon in the late 1960s, pioneered the Southern rock genre and helped place the city on the global music map.
- Capricorn Records turned Macon into an international recording hub in the 1970s, launching the careers of artists whose music continues to influence generations.
- WIBB and its roster of personalities gave black musicians an immeasurable platform, including the first studio recording of James Brown’s “Please, Please, Please.”
By integrating these stories into everyday wayfinding infrastructure, the pillars transform simple navigation into an opportunity for visitors to discover the artists and cultural forces that made Macon famous.
A future installation will include the two music legend panels at Third Street & Cherry Street.
Continuing Macon’s Story
These redesigned pillars reflect Visit Macon’s ongoing commitment to telling the full story of the city—from its Indigenous roots to its global musical influence—while helping visitors navigate and experience Macon’s award-winning downtown with ease.
With interactive elements, historic storytelling, and music heritage integrated into their design, the new pillars invite visitors to explore, discover, and experience “Where Soul Lives.”
For more information, please contact Visit Macon’s Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, Marisa Rodgers, at (478) 743-1074 x106, email mrodgers@visitmacon.org, or visit their website at VisitMacon.org.
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About NewTown Macon: We are an independent nonprofit that focuses on economic development and revitalizing Downtown Macon. We make it safe and beautiful and fun and affordable. And we keep it local. NewTown Macon is located at 555 Poplar Street, Macon, GA 31201 and can be reached at (478) 722-9909. For more information, please visit newtownmacon.com.
About Visit Macon: The mission of Visit Macon is to unify and lead our community in marketing the Macon-Bibb County area as a superior visitor and meeting destination. Visit Macon promotes Macon, Georgia to travel writers, meeting planners, group tour operators and leisure travelers in an effort to bring people and revenues into the community and area businesses. http://www.visitmacon.org.
