Eatonton, Georgia

Eatonton is a city in and county seat of Putnam County, Georgia, United States.[5] As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 6,480.[6] It was named after William Eaton, an officer and diplomat involved in the First Barbary War.[7] The name consists of his surname with the English suffix "ton," meaning "town".

Eatonton, Georgia
Putnam County Courthouse in Eatonton
Location in Putnam County and the state of Georgia
Eatonton
Location in Putnam County and the state of Georgia
Eatonton
Eatonton (the United States)
Coordinates: 33°19′35″N 83°23′16″W
Country United States
State Georgia
CountyPutnam
Area
  Total20.61 sq mi (53.38 km2)
  Land20.51 sq mi (53.12 km2)
  Water0.10 sq mi (0.27 km2)
Elevation
568 ft (173 m)
Population
 (2010)
  Total6,480
  Estimate 
(2019)[2]
6,725
  Density327.90/sq mi (126.61/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
  Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
31024
Area code(s)706
FIPS code13-26084[3]
GNIS feature ID0331628[4]
WebsiteCity of Eatonton
Eatonton's statue of Br'er Rabbit

History

The Rock Eagle Effigy Mound, a Native American archaeological site, is located north of the city. It is one of two such sites east of the Mississippi River; both are in Putnam County. The mound and related earthwork constructions were made by Woodland culture peoples, perhaps as long ago as 1,000 to 3,000 years. The site within a 1500-acre park administered by the University of Georgia, which also maintains a 4-H camp nearby. The Mound has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Following the American Revolutionary War, Eatonton was founded in 1807 as the seat of newly formed Putnam County. After the war, settlers were moving west and settling in the upland Piedmont region to develop cotton plantations. Eatonton was incorporated as a town in 1809 and as a city in 1879.[8]

In a 5-hour period in May 1919, five black churches and two black lodges in Eatonton were burned to the ground, but authorities did not charge anyone with arson.[9]

In the 21st century, Eatonton is known as the "Dairy Capital of Georgia" (in honor of its major industry, dairy farming).

Geography

Eatonton is located at 33°19′35″N 83°23′16″W (33.326302, -83.387798).[10]

The city is located in the central part of the state along U.S. Routes 129 and 441, which meet in and form the western boundary of the city. Via U.S. 129/441, Madison is 22 mi (35 km) north. After leaving the city southward, U.S. 129 runs southwest 25 mi (40 km) to Gray and U.S. 441 runs southeast 21 mi (34 km) to Milledgeville. Georgia State Routes 16 and 44 are the main roads through the center of town, with GA-16 leading east 27 mi (43 km) to Sparta and west 18 mi (29 km) to Monticello, and GA-44 leading northeast 23 mi (37 km) to Greensboro.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.7 square miles (54 km2), of which 20.6 square miles (53 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (0.63%) is water.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.
1840516
18602,009
18701,240−38.3%
18801,37110.6%
18901,68222.7%
19001,8238.4%
19102,03611.7%
19202,51923.7%
19301,876−25.5%
19402,39927.9%
19502,74914.6%
19603,61231.4%
19704,12514.2%
19804,83317.2%
19904,737−2.0%
20006,76442.8%
20106,480−4.2%
2019 (est.)6,725[2]3.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 6,760 people, 2,553 households, and 1,817 families residing in the city. The population density was 329.1 people per square mile (127.0/km2). There were 2,723 housing units at an average density of 129.8 per square mile (50.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 35.50% White and 64.50% African American.

There were 2,553 households, out of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were married couples living together, 24.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 9.8% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,391, and the median income for a family was $29,751. Males had a median income of $24,883 versus $18,193 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,951. About 20.4% of families and 25.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.5% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Schools in the area

The Putnam County School District holds grades Headstart to grade twelve, and consists of one primary school, an elementary school, a middle school, a high school, and an alternative school.[12] The district has 165 full-time teachers and more than 2,474 students. Gatewood Schools, a private Christian school in the area serves children in grades K3-12.[13]

  • Gatewood Schools (K3-12)
  • Putnam County Primary School
  • Putnam County Elementary School
  • Putnam County Middle School
  • Putnam County High School
  • Putnam County Achievement Academy

Notable people

Vincent Hancock, Olympic gold medalist in men's skeet shooting at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics and Gatewood Schools graduate, resides in Eatonton.[14]

Dwight York, American cult leader and founder of the Nuwaubian Nation, currently imprisoned at ADX Florence.

The city is the birthplace of several noted writers, such as Joel Chandler Harris (journalist and author of the Uncle Remus stories), 19th century poet Louise Prudden Hunt (Mrs. B. W. Hunt), Henry Grady Weaver, author of The Mainspring of Human Progress, and Alice Walker, author of the novel The Color Purple and other fiction.

Artist and leading scholar, curator, and promoter of African American art David Driskell was a native of Eatonton.

S. Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A fast food restaurant and franchise, is a native of the town.

Thomas Adiel Sherwood, Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court from 1873 to 1902, was born there.[15][16]

Tornado

On November 22, 1992, an F4 tornado with winds up to 260 mph hit the south portions of the city. The storm caused $27,000,000 in damages to houses and businesses. The tornado killed five locals and injured 86 victims.

References

  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2012-07-12. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-05-05. Retrieved 2012-05-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 68. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
  8. Hellmann, Paul T. (May 13, 2013). Historical Gazetteer of the United States. Routledge. p. 228. ISBN 978-1135948597. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  9. McWhirter, Cameron (2011). Red Summer The Summer of 1919 and the Awakening of Black America. Henry Holt and Company. p. 53. ISBN 9780805089066.
  10. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  11. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  12. Georgia Board of Education, Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  13. School Stats, Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  14. Tim Hipps (July 31, 2012). "Hancock first Olympic champion to repeat in men's skeet". United States Army News Service. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  15. "Missouri Jurist Born 96 Years Ago", The Missouri Herald (June 6, 1930), p. 1.
  16. "Biographies of the Gentlemen Comprising the Democratic State Ticket", The St. Joseph Weekly Gazette (August 3, 1882), p. 7.
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