Frederick Brown, Jr. Amphitheater aka "The Fred" began as a community project to celebrate America's Bicentennial in 1976. Under the direction of the McIntosh Trail Arts Council, a 1,600-seat outdoor facility was constructed to serve as the home of an outdoor drama, "The McIntosh Trail". Written by the well-known playwright Dr. Kermit H. Hunter, author of Cherokee, North Carolina's successful Unto These Hills, the story told of the tragic death of Chief William McIntosh.
Although the production was widely-acclaimed and well-attended, financial problems for the Arts Council resulted in the eventual bankruptcy of the organization. "The McIntosh Trail" was presented only in the summer of 1976. One year later, the City of Peachtree City purchased the Amphitheater, the Cast House, a gazebo, an administrative building and the surrounding acreage.
Through the late 70s and early 80s, the Amphitheater was known as the McIntosh Opry; providing country, clogging and bluegrass music to patrons literally by the carload. By 1986 programming expanded under the auspices of the City's Recreation Department to include oldies music, the Atlanta Pops Orchestra and presentations by local theater companies.
A suspicious fire early in 1989 damaged the already deteriorating facility considerably. The Amphitheater reopened in 1991 after an extensive renovation. At that time, the facility was renamed for former mayor Frederick Brown, Jr. Mayor Brown and his wife, Nita, spent many years volunteering their time at the Amphitheater during its McIntosh Opry days. The Browns gave hours of their time doing everything from pouring soft drinks to running spotlights.
The summer of 1994 brought the first Summer Concert Series and the Amphitheater's first sold-out concert (Three Dog Night). The Summer Concert Series has since become the anchor of the facility's programming efforts. Two series are produced each summer.
