The state of Georgia is sometimes referred to as “The Hollywood of the South.”

For decades, filmmakers have taken advantage of the state’s generous tax breaks for film productions, which has brought the state’s unique identity to viewers across the globe. While Tyler Perry has turned Atlanta into the undisputed capital of Georgia’s film scene, the small city of Covington —30 miles east of Atlanta—has become a hotspot for filmmakers looking to capture the true charm of a homely, small-town America in their work.

Visitors may remember the racers barreling through the town in The Cannonball Run, while fans of court dramas may know the courthouse in Covington as the site of much of My Cousin Vinny or the television adaptation of In the Heat of the Night. And that’s just a few of this town’s claims to film and television history. 

With all these screen credits to its name, in the late 2010s, the town launched the Covington Film Garden at its visitor’s center, an eco-friendly art project that honors the town’s (and Newton County’s) contributions to film. By recycling old road signs, the town highlights a selection of films and television shows that were brought to life in Covington; a fun and environmentally-conscious way to shine a light on the city’s stardom.