The Old Pavilion

The Old Pavilion is one of the earliest surviving structures in Vinings and has provided shade, enjoyment and a gathering place for generations of Vinings locals and area visitors. The Old Pavilion was originally built as an open-air structure in 1874 by the Western & Atlantic Railroad to encourage residents of a resurgent Atlanta to venture out of the city for day trips. Atlantans would ride to the Pavilion by train or carriage to seek the cool of the bluffs overlooking the Chattahoochee and picnic and dance under the shade of the ample building.

Windows were added in the 1940s when the Old Pavilion was purchased by Earle Carter Smith, a descendant of Vinings’ founder Hardy Pace. The building housed antique shops until 1995 when it was moved from its original location at the corner of Mountain Street and Ranch Road to the grounds of the Pace House, where it is currently used for VHPS community events and is also available for rent for weddings, receptions, parties and other events.  Please see our facilities page for rental information.