You're heading back to metro Atlanta from Birmingham or some other western locale, driving along I-20 at a pleasant clip. Up ahead, traffic and roadwork lie in wait, threatening to clog the final leg of your journey just as the kids are getting twitchy.

What to do? How about a short stop in Tallapoosa, a tiny town on the western edge of Georgia? Settled in 1860, the town was an early boomtown as Northerners traveled to visit the purportedly medicinal waters of Lithia Springs and prospectors panned for gold. The town's name is a Creek Indian word meaning "Golden Water."

Courtesy of Blair Craig (ENLARGE)

The West Georgia Museum houses a trove of period memorabilia, including items from an old-time barber shop, doctorÕs office and general store. A settlerÕs cabin is furnished with period pieces.

Courtesy of Blair Craig (ENLARGE)

The general store is stocked with vintage items and a grocery store ledger from 1895 that visitors can look through.

The Yankee tourists and gold miners have come and gone, but what remains is a cute little town a few miles off Exit 5 from I-20 that is worth a relaxing hour or so.

Old-time charm

The West Georgia Museum of Tallapoosa houses a charming trove of local memorabilia, mostly donated by area residents. The building is laid out like a town of yesteryear. The doctor's and dentist's office displays harrowing implements of wellness, like pliers for yanking troubled teeth.

The Royal typewriter, printing press and blocks of type tell the story of how the Tallapoosa Journal was published in the late 1800s.

The old general store is stocked with vintage items and a grocery store ledger dating from 1895 that visitors can flip through, literally touching the pages of history.

A settlers' cabin is furnished with period pieces such as a 150-year-old cradle, a circa-1906 sewing machine, quilts dating back a century or more, and an old pie safe and wash stand. The museum houses assorted finds including Indian arrowheads and minie balls for muskets from the Battle of Atlanta.

There's even an old moonshine still, with instructions posted on the wall, in case you're in the mood for some white lightnin' when you get back to your gated subdivision.

Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays.

Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children. 185 Mann St., 770-574-3125.

Saluting heroes

The Haralson County Military Memorial Park features a black granite monument, the "Wall of Tears," honoring women in the military of the past, present and future.

A 17-foot obelisk bears the names of Haralson County veterans killed in action in Korea, Vietnam and both world wars. A crest tells the story of Haralson native Ray McKibben, a Medal of Honor recipient who was killed in Vietnam.

No admission, but donations are accepted. Call 770-574-7764 for information. At Ga. 100 and Robertson Avenue.

Treasure hunt

Small-town antiques stores often stock lots of "collectibles," but you can find a decent bargain every once in a while, too. At Lithia Antiques & Accessories Mall I spotted an antique pine pie safe for $258, a push-pedal sewing machine with painted metal body for $125 and a fabulously retro Westinghouse oven for $850.

A Flexible Flyer sled was marked at $125. 108 Head Ave., 770-574-5670. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Tuesdays and Thursday-Saturdays. Closed Wednesdays and Sundays.

At Peaches & Dreams, the prices were higher, but a sign declared everything in the store to be 50 percent off.

The best finds included a carved walnut side chair listed at $125, a Victorian needlepoint rocker for $490 and a copper wash tub with wooden handles for $395. 9 a.m.-6 p.m

Mondays-Saturdays. 6 Mays St., 770-574-2021.

Hungry?

Try Sister's Homestyle Cooking for breakfast and lunch, 105 Lipham St., 770-574-9622; Turn Around BBQ for lunch and dinner, 2190 U.S. 78, 770-574-9966; and The Biscuit House for all three meals, 111 W. Atlanta St., 770-574-8384.