Full Answer
What is the history of Macon County Georgia?
The Elberta, Georgia Belle and Hiley Belle were heavily planted throughout the middle Georgia region for several decades. An interesting twist in the history of Macon County is the story of Col. George W. Fish and his haunted house. Col.
What are 5 interesting facts about Macon GA?
Facts About Macon GA. History: Macon was founded in 1823 on the banks of the Ocmulgee River, growing out of the 1806 frontier Fort Hawkins. The fort was named for an Indian Scout sent to the area to set up trading, and the city was named for a beloved North Carolinian statesman.
How did the city of Macon get its name?
Macon developed at the site of Fort Benjamin Hawkins, built in 1809 at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River to protect the community and to establish a trading post with Native Americans. The fort was named in honor of Benjamin Hawkins, Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Southeast territory south of the Ohio River for more than 20 years.
When did Macon Georgia merge with Atlanta Georgia?
The two governments officially merged on January 1, 2014. Macon is served by three interstate highways: I-16 (connecting the city to Savannah and coastal Georgia), I-75 (connecting the city with Atlanta to the north and Valdosta to the south), and I-475 (a city bypass highway).
What is the history of Macon Georgia?
Macon was founded in 1823 on the banks of the Ocmulgee River, growing out of the 1806 frontier Fort Hawkins. The fort was established as an official U.S. Army Fort and Indian Factory for trading and meeting with Native Americans under Indian Agent Col.
Why is Macon important to Georgia?
In the twentieth century, Macon grew into a prospering town in Middle Georgia. It began to serve as a transportation hub for the entire state. In 1895, the New York Times dubbed Macon "The Central City," in reference to the city's emergence as a hub for railroad transportation and textile factories.
What is Macon County Georgia famous for?
Macon County has been the home of several famous Georgians. Writers John Donald Wade, a member of the Vanderbilt Agrarian movement, and Adrienne Bond, a vice president of Mercer University, lived here, as did Samuel Henry Rumph, whose work led to Georgia's nickname as the Peach State.
When was Macon County Ga formed?
December 14, 1837Macon County / Date formed
What does the name Macon mean?
MasonMacon is a surname. It may be derived from French Maçon or Mâcon meaning marsh dweller, or a variant of the occupational surname Mason.
How do you pronounce Macon?
0:051:00How To Say Macon - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMaker making maker making maker making.MoreMaker making maker making maker making.
What is crime rate in Macon GA?
The crime rate in Macon is 59.77 per 1,000 residents, and the chance of being victim of a crime is higher in south neighborhoods (1 in 11) and slightly lower in northwest neighborhoods (1 in 22).
How old is Macon?
Macon, Georgia has a rich and diverse history whose origin is traced back over 17,000 years ago, as different tribes of Native Americans lived on the site that is now the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park.
Was Macon ever the capital of Georgia?
Today, it seems unimaginable that Georgia would move its capital city again. Except for an unsuccessful effort by Macon boosters in 1919 to have that city designated the state capital, there have been no serious efforts to move the capital.
Who was Macon?
Nathaniel Macon (December 17, 1757 – June 29, 1837) was an American politician who represented North Carolina in both houses of Congress. He was the fifth speaker of the House, serving from 1801 to 1807.
Who is Macon Georgia named for?
senator Nathaniel MaconNamed for North Carolina statesman and U.S.senator Nathaniel Macon, the city was established at the point where the Upper Coastal Plain rises to join the Piedmont, above which the Ocmulgee River is no longer navigable. That location makes it one of the South's fall-line cities.
How big is Macon Georgia?
254.9 mi²Macon / Area
Was Macon ever the capital of Georgia?
Today, it seems unimaginable that Georgia would move its capital city again. Except for an unsuccessful effort by Macon boosters in 1919 to have that city designated the state capital, there have been no serious efforts to move the capital.
Who was Macon named after?
senator Nathaniel MaconNamed for North Carolina statesman and U.S.senator Nathaniel Macon, the city was established at the point where the Upper Coastal Plain rises to join the Piedmont, above which the Ocmulgee River is no longer navigable. That location makes it one of the South's fall-line cities.
Who was Macon?
Nathaniel Macon (December 17, 1757 – June 29, 1837) was an American politician who represented North Carolina in both houses of Congress. He was the fifth speaker of the House, serving from 1801 to 1807.
What kind of town is Macon Georgia?
Macon is a typical Mid-sized Southern city in both appearance and feel, with roots as a textile mill town. The downtown area has a large and well-used riverfront park, and the city has more entries on the National Register of Historic Places than any other city in Georgia.
What was the Civil War in Macon?
Macon’s Civil War history includes: Serving as the official arsenal of the Confederacy. Camp Oglethorpe (a prison for captured Union officers and enlisted men) Macon City Hall: The temporary state capital in 1864 and also served as a hospital for injured soldiers.
Who was the General that bypassed Macon?
Fortunately, Macon was spared as the Union troops led by General William Tecumseh Sherman bypassed Macon on their March to the Sea.
What is Macon GA known for?
The fort was named for an Indian Scout sent to the area to set up trading, and the city was named for a beloved North Carolinian statesman.
Who was the Union General who came to Macon?
Union General George Stoneman came close to Macon, but the city was defended three times before surrendering at the close of the Civil War, preserving its neighborhoods of classic Greek revival and Victorian-style homes.
What airport is 5 miles from Macon?
Macon Downtown Airport: Located about 5 miles from downtown Macon, this airport is designed to accommodate private planes and offers no commercial service. Transportation to Atlanta/Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport:
Where was Macon founded?
Macon was founded on the site of the Ocmulgee Old Fields, where the Creek Indians lived in the 18th century. Their predecessors, the Mississippian culture, built a powerful chiefdom (950–1100 AD) based on the practice of agriculture. The Mississippian culture constructed earthwork mounds for ceremonial, burial, and religious purposes. The areas along the rivers in the Southeast had been inhabited by indigenous peoples for 13,000 years before Europeans arrived.
When did Macon merge with Bibb County?
On July 31, 2012, voters in Macon (57.8 percent approval) and Bibb County (56.7 percent approval) passed a referendum to merge the governments of the city of Macon and most of unincorporated Bibb County, based on the authorization of House Bill 1171, passed by the Georgia General Assembly earlier in the year; four previous consolidation attempts (in 1933, 1960, 1972, and 1976) had failed.
What is the Macon train?
Macon grew as a center of rail transport after the 1846 opening of the Macon and Western Railroad. Two of the most note-worthy train companies operating through the city were the Central of Georgia Railway and the Southern Railway. The city continued to be served by passenger trains at Terminal Station until 1971. The Frisco Railroad 's Kansas City–Florida Special served the city until 1964. The Southern's Royal Palm ran from Cincinnati, through Macon, to Miami, Florida until 1966. (A truncated route served to Valdosta, Georgia until 1970.) The Central of Georgia's Nancy Hanks ran through Macon, from Atlanta to Savannah until 1971. Since at least 2006 Macon has been included in the proposed Georgia Rail Passenger Program to restore inter-city rail service but as of 2020 Georgia lacks any inter-city passenger rail service other than the federally funded inter-state Amtrak services.
Why is Macon named Macon?
This was in honor of the North Carolina statesman Nathaniel Macon, because many of the early residents of Georgia hailed from North Carolina.
What was Bacon's plan for Macon?
U.S. Senator Augustus Bacon, of Georgia, in his 1911 will, devised land in Macon in trust, to be used as a public park for the exclusive benefit of white people. The park, known as Baconsfield, was operated in that manner for many years. In Evans v. Newton, the Supreme Court of the United States held that the park could not continue to be operated on a racially discriminatory basis. The Supreme Court of Georgia thereupon declared “that the sole purpose for which the trust was created has become impossible of accomplishment” and remanded the case to the trial court, which held cy-près doctrine to be inapplicable, since the park's segregated character was an essential and inseparable part of Bacon's plan. The trial court ruled that the trust failed, and that the property reverted to Bacon's heirs. The Supreme Court of Georgia and the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed. The 50-acre (20 ha) park was lost and commercially developed.
What is Gateway Macon?
Gateway Macon (web portal), The Local's Guide for Things To Do in Macon.
What was the impact of the railroad on Macon?
Cotton steamboats, stage coaches, and later, in 1843, a railroad increased marketing opportunities and contributed to the economic prosperity of Macon. In 1836, the Georgia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church founded Wesleyan College in Macon.
What was the economy of Macon in the 1840s?
The economy grew rapidly after the railroad reached the city in the early 1840s, and Macon became an important cotton-shipping point. Macon. Macon City Auditorium, Macon, Ga. Macondude. During the American Civil War, Macon had a Confederate gold depository and munitions factories and was a supply depot until General Howell Cobb surrendered it ...
Who was Nathaniel Macon?
Nathaniel Macon, U.S. Congressional leader for 37 years, remembered chiefly for his negative views on almost every issue of the day, particularly those concerned with centralizing the government. Yet his integrity and absence of selfish motives served…
When was Georgia founded?
states east of the Mississippi River in terms of total area (though first in terms of land area) and by many years the youngest of the 13 former English colonies, Georgia was founded in 1732, at…. Nathaniel Macon. Nathaniel Macon, U.S. Congressional leader for 37 years, remembered chiefly for his negative views on ...
Who was the Georgia politician who championed Southern unionism during the 1850s but then advocated immediate secession?
Yet his integrity and absence of selfish motives served…. Howell Cobb. Howell Cobb, Georgia politician who championed Southern unionism during the 1850s but then advocated immediate secession following the election of Abraham Lincoln. Cobb was born into the antebellum plantation elite and….
What county is Macon GA in?
Located in the heart of Georgia, approximately two hours from the city of Atlanta, Macon GA is a fast-growing metropolis that serves as the administrative center of Macon-Bibb County. Geographically positioned near the intersection of the Atlantic coastal plain and the Piedmont plateau, the city is steeped in history ...
When did Macon merge with Bibb County?
The Macon city government and that of Bibb County were officially merged in 2014 after the voters approved the consolidation via a referendum in 2012. As of 2018, the population of Macon was estimated to be around 153,000 residents, more than half of the entire population of the Macon Metro Area which was estimated to be around 228,000 people.
What businesses helped Macon grow?
Businesses such as the Dixie Works, c. 1895, Adams Brothers Wholesale Grocery, c. 1894, The Macon Cabinet Company, c. 1895, and The Atlantic Compress Company, c. 1908, helped to start Macon’s growth. The growth of Macon paralleled the growth of the railroad as depots received, stored, and shipped freight.
What is the East Macon Historic District?
East Macon Historic District, located one mile east of the central business district, consists of mid-nineteenth through early twentieth century residential, commercial, and educational development. East Macon’s historical significance lies in the architecture of the homes and buildings in the area, as well as the obvious community planning and development.
What are the three neighborhoods in Macon?
There are three distinct neighborhoods within the district that depict the various styles of architecture: Intown Neighborhood, Huguenin Heights, and Tatnall Square Heights. Part of the Intown neighborhood includes College Hill where Macon’s upper class citizens constructed a number of landmark houses.
Why is Cherokee Heights on the National Register of Historic Places?
Macon’s Cherokee Heights was placed on the National Register of Historic Places because it was one of the first planned residential and suburban communities in Macon. Developed from 1909 – 1923, the homes are primarily built in the styles of Georgian Revival, English Tudor, Spanish Mission, Craftsman and Bungalow, including many homes designed by Georgian architect, Neel Reid.
How many prehistoric sites are there in the Ocmulgee River?
Archaeological survey and testing on the tract have resulted in the discovery of nine prehistoric sites, seven of which have been recommended eligible. These sites range in age from the Early Archaic period (8000 – 6000 BC) to a previously unreported Mississippian Period Lamar mound complex (A.D. 1450 – 1550) which appears to include a central ceremonial mound and approximately sixteen house mounds.
Who developed Cherokee Heights?
Cherokee Heights was developed by a real estate developing company, the Vineville Improvement Company. This company provided the first suburban development of its kind in Macon. The area was developed in two phases, the first from 1909 to 1911, and the second in 1923.
When was Miller Field in Georgia?
The land on which the course was developed was a gin and machine works as early as 1846, but gained prominence as Miller Field, the only airfield in Georgia outside of Atlanta in 1926 . Heavyweight boxer W.L. (Young) Stribling operated a flying school during this period, and Amelia Earhart even stopped and spent the night in 1931.
Overview
History
Macon was founded on the site of the Ocmulgee Old Fields, where the Creek Indians lived in the 18th century. Their predecessors, the Mississippian culture, built a powerful chiefdom (950–1100 AD) based on the practice of agriculture. The Mississippian culture constructed earthwork mounds for ceremonial, burial, and religious purposes. The areas along the rivers in the Southeast had been i…
Geography
The Ocmulgee River is a major river that runs through the city. Macon is one of Georgia's three major Fall Line Cities, along with Augusta and Columbus. The Fall Line is where the hilly lands of the Piedmont plateau meet the flat terrain of the coastal plain. As such, Macon has a varied landscape of rolling hills on the north side and flat plains on the south. The fall line, where the altitude drops noticea…
Demographics
Macon is the largest principal city of the Macon-Warner Robins-Fort Valley CSA, a Combined Statistical Area that includes the Macon metropolitan area (Bibb, Crawford, Jones, Monroe, and Twiggs counties) and the Warner Robins metropolitan area (Houston, Peach, and Pulaski counties), which had a combined population of 411,898 at the 2010 census.
Economy
According to the 2010 Census, the median household income in the city was $28,366, as compared with the state average of $49,347. The median family income was $37,268. Full-time working males had a median income of $34,163 versus $28,082 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,010. About 24.1% of families and 30.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.6% of those under age 18 and 18.4% of those over 65.
Arts and culture
Macon is the birthplace or hometown of musicians Emmett Miller, The Allman Brothers Band, Randy Crawford, Mark Heard, Lucille Hegamin, Otis Redding, Little Richard, Mike Mills, and Bill Berry of R.E.M., as well as more recent artists like violinist Robert McDuffie and country artist Jason Aldean. September Hase, an alternative rock band, was discovered in Macon. Capricorn Records, run by Ma…
Parks and recreation
The city maintains several parks and community centers.
• Ocmulgee Heritage Trail - a green way of parks, plazas, and landmarks along the Ocmulgee River in downtown Macon
• Bloomfield Park
• East Macon Park
Government
Prior to 2013, the city government consisted of a mayor and city council. Robert Reichert was elected the first mayor of the consolidated Macon-Bibb County in October 2013. There are also 9 County Commissioners elected from districts within the county.
On March 15, 2019, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged the former County Manager, Dale M. Walker, with fraud.