Georgia county snapshots: Henry County [2006]

Home ~ Community Profile ~ Demographics ~ Economy ~ Government ~ Sources

Community Profile

:: Henry County ::

County May 15, 1821 Formed
County Seat McDonough
Incorporated Hampton, Locust Grove, McDonough and Stockbridge Cities
Total Area 322.7 square miles
History Henry County was formed in 1821 from Creek Indian lands. Georgia's 50th county was named for Patrick Henry, whose powerful rhetoric helped push the Colonies into the Revolutionary War. Although spellings differ, McDonough, the county seat, was named for Captain James MacDonough, the victor over the British on Lake Champlain in the War of 1812.
There are several historic places throughout Henry County. The Brown House in McDonough is home to the Henry County Historical Society. Built in 1826, the building was the home of Andrew McBride, a Revolutionary War Veteran from South Carolina. The home became the Brown House Hotel after it was expanded in 1874. The Romanesque style county courthouse, built in 1897, is also located in McDonough. Locust Grove features a century-old hardware store that has been owned and operated by four generations of the Gardner family.
The McDonough area is also home to the Shingleroof Methodist Campground where annual campmeetings have held since the 1830's. The campground was used as a training ground for Confederate forces during the Civil War.

Points of Henry County hosts several major sporting events each year. The ChickInterest Fil-A Charity Championship, a Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA)
Tour Event, is held at the Eagles Landing Country Club each April. The Atlanta Motor Speedway, located in Hampton, is home to two major National Association of Stock Car Racing (NASCAR) events.
The Panola Mountain State Conservation Park is located east of Stockbridge on the county's border with Rockdale County. The 537-acre park surrounds Panola Mountain, a million-year-old granite monadnock. The South River, which eventually flows into Lake Jackson, also flows through the park.

Notable Famous individuals from Henry County include James Weldon Johnson, Citizens founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People (NAACP), Martin Luther King, Sr., who was born and raised on a farm near Stockbridge and Congressional Medal of Honor winner Ray Davis of Stockbridge.

Brown House Hotel, McDonough

Annual Several communities in the county host annual fairs or cultural events. Events The Henry County Fair is held each October in McDonough. McDonough
also hosts the Geranium Festival in May.
Stockbridge is home to the Old Stockbridge Days Festival in May and Locust Grove celebrates Old Locust Grove Days in May, as well. The Fairview Fall Festival is held each year in early October.
County http://www.co.henry.ga.us
Chamber of http://www.henrycounty.com/ Commerce
Additional http://www.georgiaplanning.com/CountyPortal/countyportal.asp? County Info FIPS=13151

Atlanta Motor Speedway (ALT)

Home ~ Community Profile ~ Demographics ~ Economy ~ Government ~ Sources
Return to top of page
Copyright 2006 Georgia Department of Community Affairs All Rights Reserved.