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Lowndes County, Georgia

Coordinates: 30°50′N 83°16′W / 30.83°N 83.27°W / 30.83; -83.27
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Lowndes County
County
Lowndes County Courthouse in Valdosta
Lowndes County Courthouse in Valdosta
Map of Georgia highlighting Lowndes County
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Map of the United States highlighting Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°50′N 83°16′W / 30.83°N 83.27°W / 30.83; -83.27
Country United States
State Georgia
FoundedDecember 23, 1825
Named forWilliam Jones Lowndes
SeatValdosta
Largest cityValdosta
Area
 • Total511 sq mi (1,320 km2)
 • Land496 sq mi (1,280 km2)
 • Water15 sq mi (40 km2)  2.8%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total109,233
 • Density220/sq mi (80/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts1st, 8th
Websitewww.lowndescounty.com

Lowndes County (pronounced Lounds) is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 Census the population was 109,233.[1] The county seat is Valdosta.[2] The county was created December 23, 1825.

Lowndes County is included in the Valdosta, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is located along the Florida border.

The county is a major commercial, educational, and manufacturing center of south Georgia with considerable forest products including pulpwood and naval stores, such as turpentine and rosin. Part of Grand Bay, a 13,000-acre (53 km2) swamp is located in Lowndes County.

History

Native Americans and the Spanish

The land that became Lowndes County had historically been inhabited by the Timucua. During most the age of European colonization the area of modern Lowndes County was part of the colony of Spanish Florida. From approximately 1625 to 1657, the Spanish Empire maintained a Catholic mission to the Timucua dubbed Mission Santa Cruz de Cachipile in the southern portion of Lowndes County near Lake Park. In the centuries that followed Timucua civilization collapsed due to slave raiding and disease. By the dawn of the 19th century, the future area of Lowndes County was considered to be part of the lands belonging to the Creek Nation. On December 15, 1818 Irwin County was organized out of the Creek lands.

Early County History

Lowndes County was established by an act passed by the Georgia legislature on December 23, 1825. It was formed out of the 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 15th, and 16th land districts of Irwin County, Georgia.[3] The county was named for William Jones Lowndes (1782–1822), a prominent South Carolina lawyer and Congressman whose father, South Carolina Governor Rawlins Lowndes, had been a Revolutionary War leader.[4] The Coffee Road was the first route through the area of Lowndes County and opened up the area to white settlers.

During the first few years of Lowndes County's existence courts met at the tavern owned ran by Sion Hall on the Coffee Road near what is now Morven, Georgia in Brooks County. The first county seat was established at Franklinville (sometimes spelled sometimes spelled Franklynville) by the Georgia General Assembly on December 16, 1828.[5] Franklinville was located about 5.6 miles to the east of Hahira in the eastern half of land lot 50 in the 11th land district and was named Benjamin Franklin. At the time of the 1830 Lowndes County had 1,072 white males, 1,044 white females, 156 male slaves, 179 female slaves, and 4 free people of color for a total population of 2,455. The introduction of steam-powered ships on the Withlacoochee and Little Rivers led to a shift in the population. In December 1833, the state legislature passed a law establishing a new county seat at a place to be called to Lowndesville. The law also called for a courthouse, a jail, and a town to be laid out within land lot 109 in the 12th land district. This land lot is near the present Timber Ridge Road in Lowndes County. It is uncertain why the plans for Lowndesville were abandoned. In December 1834, another law was passed by the state legislature authorizing commissioners to select a suitable site for a courthouse, so that the county seat could be moved from Franklinville. In October 1836, another group of commissioners was advertising for contracting proposals for the construction of a brick courthouse at Troupville. By Summer 1837, Troupville and Franklinville were both serving as courthouse sites. This continued until at least 1838. In December 1837 Troupville was incorporated. Rumors of the Brunswick and Chattahoochee Railroad, the opening up of Florida, and the prosperity of the surrounding farmland led to the growth of Troupville and Lowndes County in general. In 1845, the remaining county owned land at Franklinville was sold at the courthouse in Troupville.

Native Americans were not a huge problem in this area. The closest battle between Native Americans and whites to Troupville was at Brushy Creek on November 10, 1836 in modern Berrien County. The reason for the conflict was that the Native Americans were passing through Lowndes County to join the Seminoles in Florida. General Scott intended to stop it and did. Virtually no Native Americans were left in South Georgia.

In February 1850 Lowndes County lost land during the formation of Clinch County, Georgia. At that time the eastern border of Lowndes County became the Alapaha River.[6] At the time of the 1850 census, Lowndes County had a free white population of 5,339, a free colored population of 20, and a slave population of 2,355. Lowndes County lost additional territory with the establishment of Berrien County, Georgia and Colquitt County, Georgia on February 25, 1856.

Establishment of Valdosta

Many residents of Lowndes County were unhappy when the plans for the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad to bypass Troupville were announced June 17, 1858. On June 22 at 3:00 am, the Lowndes County courthouse at Troupville was set aflame by William B. Crawford, who fled to South Carolina after being released on bond. On August 9, a meeting convened in the academy building in Troupville at which it was decided to create from the area of Lowndes County to the west of the Withlacoochee River a new county to be called Brooks County.[7] Brooks was formed that December. On December 13, 1858 the Georgia legislature passed a bill establishing Echols County, Georgia.

In December 1859, the Lowndes County board of commissioners were instructed by an act of the Georgia legislature to purchase for the county land for a new county seat along the line of the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad and as close to the center of the county a possible. As part of the same act the Brooks-Lowndes County border was adjusted so that the east bank of the Little River formed the border.[8]

Land belonging to William Wisenbaker was chosen as the site of the new county seat of Valdosta. The arrival of the railroad led to the downfall of Troupville and the rise of Valdosta as a center for the economy of south Georgia. The shifting county boundary lines led to population loss for Lowndes County. The 1860 census showed the county having 2,850 free whites, no free persons of color, and 2,399 slaves.

Civil War

No battles during the American Civil War were fought in Lowndes County. Several regular Confederate Army companies were raised from the population. Those included:

  • Company I "Lowndes Volunteers", 12th Regiment Georgia Infantry.
  • Company G, 26th Regiment Georgia Infantry. Also known as New Company G, 13th Regiment Infantry.
  • Company D, "Berrien Minutemen", 29th Regiment Georgia Infantry.
  • Company D, "Valdosta Guards", 50th Regiment Georgia Infantry.

In addition, two Georgia Militia companies were partially raised from the population in early 1864 following the reorganization of the militia.[9] Those included:

Lowndes County also had a home guard unit, but it was only called into action once in the fall of 1863. In that instant some soldiers' wives in Thomasville, Georgia were threatening to break into a Confederate Government Commissary to feed their starving children. In April 1864 a group of women rioted at Stockton, Georgia after a local store after the owner refused to take Confederate money in exchange for yarn. They took all the yarn in his store. At the same time, armed women stole a wagon load of bacon from a government warehouse. A mob of women also went on a rampage for similar reasons in Naylor, Georgia at about the same time.[10]

In February 1864 members of Company I "Woodson Guards", 32nd Regiment Georgia Infantry camped overnight in Valdosta at an area south of the railroad while on their way to Battle of Olustee in northern Florida. It was to be the closest fighting to Valdosta during the Civil War. During Sherman's March to the Sea Valdosta became a home for many refugees fleeing into south Georgia. Among those refugees was the family of Doc Holliday. Other refugees came by the railroad from Savannah and the Sea Islands.[11]

Reconstruction

In the years right after the Civil War, members of Company “G”, 103rd United States Colored Troops were stationed at Valdosta.

After the Civil War an unknown number of former slaves, previously free people of color, and their families moved from Lowndes County to Liberia. Some settled there permanently a small number returned to the United States.

Prior to 1872, the southern border of Lowndes County and of Georgia itself was slightly farther south. The border when Lowndes County was created was along McNeil's line. A dispute between the states of Florida and Georgia later developed (see Florida v. Georgia). In 1857, the governors of the two states appointed surveyors for a joint survey of the border. This led to the creation of the Orr and Whitney Line which was agreed to by the United States Congress on April 9, 1872.

Post-Reconstruction

In 1899 the cotton mill town of Remerton, Georgia was established.

In 1918, during a wave of lynchings in the Brooks/Lowndes County area a woman named Mary Turner was brutally killed at Folsom Bridge on the Little River.

The final major change to the borders of Lowndes County came in 1920 when Lanier County, Georgia was established.

World War II

On September 15, 1941 Moody Air Force Base opened.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 511 square miles (1,320 km2), of which 496 square miles (1,280 km2) is land and 15 square miles (39 km2) (2.8%) is water.[12]

The north-central (east of Hahira), west-central (bordered by a north-south line that bisects Valdosta), and southwestern portions (west of Dasher) of Lowndes County are located in the Withlacoochee River sub-basin of the Suwannee River basin. The northwestern corner of the county is located in the Little River sub-basin of the same Suwannee River basin. The eastern portion of Lowndes County is located in the Alapaha River sub-basin of the larger Suwannee River basin.[13]

Adjacent counties

Major waterways

Transportation

Major highways

Railroads

Previous

Current

All of the railroads serving Lowndes County today are freight-only; the closest Amtrak passenger stops are at Folkston and Jesup, both about 100 miles away.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18302,453—
18405,574127.2%
18507,71438.4%
18605,249−32.0%
18708,32158.5%
188011,04932.8%
189015,10236.7%
190020,03632.7%
191024,43622.0%
192026,5218.5%
193029,99413.1%
194031,8606.2%
195035,21110.5%
196049,27039.9%
197055,11211.9%
198067,97223.3%
199075,98111.8%
200092,11521.2%
2010109,23318.6%
2014 (est.)113,523[14]3.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]
1790-1960[16] 1900-1990[17]
1990-2000[18] 2010-2013[1]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 92,115 people, 32,654 households, and 22,237 families residing in the county. The population density was 183 people per square mile (71/km²). There were 36,551 housing units at an average density of 72 per square mile (28/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 62.00% White, 33.99% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 1.20% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.08% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. 2.66% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 32,654 households out of which 35.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.50% were married couples living together, 15.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.90% were non-families. 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the county, the population was spread out with 26.20% under the age of 18, 15.10% from 18 to 24, 31.30% from 25 to 44, 18.50% from 45 to 64, and 9.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,132, and the median income for a family was $41,580. Males had a median income of $28,411 versus $20,755 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,683. About 13.90% of families and 18.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.80% of those under age 18 and 17.30% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 109,233 people, 39,747 households, and 26,191 families residing in the county.[19] The population density was 220.2 inhabitants per square mile (85.0/km2). There were 43,921 housing units at an average density of 88.5 per square mile (34.2/km2).[20] The racial makeup of the county was 58.1% white, 35.8% black or African American, 1.5% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 2.0% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.8% of the population.[19] In terms of ancestry, 10.6% were Irish, 8.9% were English, 8.6% were German, and 8.1% were American.[21]

Of the 39,747 households, 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.1% were non-families, and 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.10. The median age was 29.9 years.[19]

The median income for a household in the county was $39,096 and the median income for a family was $48,296. Males had a median income of $36,744 versus $28,546 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,041. About 15.3% of families and 21.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.5% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over.[22]

Recreation

Communities

Cities

Town

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

  • Bandy
  • Barretts
  • Beloteville
  • Bemiss
  • Blanton
  • Cat Creek
  • Clyattville
  • Delmar
  • Eddy
  • Franklinville (historic)
  • Little Miami
  • Long Pond
  • Lowndesville (historic)
  • Haines
  • Indianola
  • Kinderlou
  • Mars
  • Melrose
  • Mineola
  • Olympia (historic)
  • Ousley
  • Quillian
  • Naylor
  • Ralls
  • Redland
  • Sims
  • Stella
  • Tillman
  • Troupville
  • Twin Lakes

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ^ Acts of the General Assembly of the State of Georgia, Passed Milledgeville, at an Annual Session November and December. 1825 (54, To form two new counties from the counties of Irwin and Decatur). 23 December 1825.
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 191.
  5. ^ Acts of the General Assembly of the State of Georgia, Passed in Milledgeville at an Annual Session in November and December, 1828 (136, AN ACT to make permanent the site of the public buildings in the county of Lowndes, and to name the same.). 16 December 1828.
  6. ^ Acts of the State of Georgia, 1849-50 (145, AN ACT to lay out and form a new county from the counties of Ware and Lowndes, and to provide for the organization of the same.). 14 February 1850.
  7. ^ Shelton, Jane (2001). Pines and Pioneers: A History of Lowndes County, Georgia 1825-1900. Lowndes County Historical Society. ISBN 9780877970347.
  8. ^ Acts of the General Assembly of the State of Georgia, Passed in Milledgville, at an Annual Session in November and December, 1859 (370, An Act to remove the county site of Lowndes county, to change the line between said county and the county of Brooks, and for other purposes.). 21 November 1859.
  9. ^ Scaife, William R.; Bragg, William Harris. Joe Brown's Pets: The Georgia Militia 1861-1865. Macon, Georgia: Mercer University Press. p. 304, 310. ISBN 978-0865548831.
  10. ^ Williams, David; Williams, Teresa Crisp; Carlson, David (2002). Plain Folk in a Rich Man's War: Class and Dissent in Confederate Georgia. Gainesville, Florida: University of Florida Press. p. 85-87. ISBN 978-0813028361.
  11. ^ Shelton, Janes (2001). Pines and Pioneers: A History of Lowndes County, Georgia 1825-1900. Valdosta, GA: Lowndes County Historical Society. p. 142-149. ISBN 9780877970347.
  12. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  13. ^ "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Retrieved 2015-11-27.
  14. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  15. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  16. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  17. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  18. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  19. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
  20. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
  21. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
  22. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
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