Historic Plaque to be Unveiled Today at X-Factor Grill Building

Main Street Toccoa will unveil the first in a series of historic plaques this afternoon for the 2018-2019 season.

The Main Street plaque program highlights historic buildings in Toccoa.

Today’s plaque unveiling takes place at 5p at X-Factor Grill on East Doyle Street downtown.

Main Street Manager Christian Hamilton says the building that houses the popular restaurant was once a furniture store and casket factory.

“This plaque cycle starts with the McNeely & Co. building, which is now the X-Factor Grill. McNeely & Co. started in the early 1900’s and was a three-story building with a furniture store, a casket-making company and a mortuary – all located in the same building. So, it was quite interesting. We’re looking forward to the unveiling at today’s plaque ceremony,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton found out from the family that the motto of the company was, “From the cradle to the grave” because they made and sold cradles, as well as caskets.

Hamilton said a total of 10 historic plaques will be unveiled in the 2018-2019 cycle.

He says one plaque will be unveiled each month.

“Our Historic Plaque program currently highlights 49 plaques in downtown Toccoa. We also have one plaque up at Lake Toccoa, and all of the plaques during this current plaque cycle are going to be downtown. We are hoping to have all of the buildings downtown have a plaque on them. And then from there, we will probably move outward into the City,” he said.

Once all plaques have been installed, they will be added to Main Street Toccoa’s Historic Walking Tour Guide.

Again, today’s historic plaque unveiling in front of the X-Factor Grill takes place this afternoon at 5p.

The public is invited to attend.