- Collection:
- Georgia Government Publications
- Title:
- Georgia county snapshots: Thomas County [2006]
- Creator:
- Georgia. Department of Community Affairs
- Contributor to Resource:
- Georgia. Department of Community Affairs
- Publisher:
- Atlanta, Ga. : Georgia. Department of Community Affairs
- Date of Original:
- 2006
- Subject:
- Georgia
- Location:
- United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018
- Medium:
- publications (documents)
- Type:
- Text
- Format:
- application/pdf
- External Identifiers:
- Call Number GA C495 .S1 S6 T51 2006
- Metadata URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/id:dlg_ggpd_y-ga-bc495-b-ps1-bs6-bt51-b2006-belec-p-btext
- Digital Object URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/do:dlg_ggpd_y-ga-bc495-b-ps1-bs6-bt51-b2006-belec-p-btext
- Language:
- eng
- Holding Institution:
- University of Georgia. Map and Government Information Library
- Rights:
-
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Community Profile
:: Thomas County ::
County December 23, 1825 Formed
County Seat Thomasville
Incorporated Barwick, Boston, Coolidge, Meigs, Ochlocknee, Pavo and Thomasville Cities
Total Area 548.4 square miles
History Thomas County was created in 1825 from portions of Decatur and Irwin counties. Georgia's 63rd county, and its county seat, Thomasville, were named for a hero of the War of 1812, General Jett Thomas. In addition to his military career, General Thomas built the first university building in Athens.
Ochlocknee is named for the river flowing through Thomas County. Pavo, Latin for Peacock, was named after the first postmaster in the area.
Thomasville was a popular, turn-of-the-century, winter resort for wealthy northern families. Non-residents still maintain many large estates and hunting preserves. Many of these estates are listed on the National Register of Historic Places including the Susina Plantation Inn, the Lapham-Patterson House, Thomasville Cultural Center, Pebble Hill Plantation and Melhana Plantation. The Lapham-Patterson House is a large, Victorian house, that was built by a survivor of the great fire of Chicago. He designed the house with 45 doors, 26 of which were exterior. Every room had its own fire extinguisher.
Points of Limestone sinks are common in this section which was once part of the Interest ocean floor. A great limestone aquifer in subterranean south Georgia
offers a nearly limitless fresh water supply.
Thomasville is home to a "Big Oak," which has a limb spread of about 175 feet. Also, the McKinley Memorial Tree planted in 1896 as a salute to candidate William McKinley, who became the 25th President of the United States, is located in Thomasville.
Notable Bailey White, a National Public Radio essayist and author of Mama Makes Citizens Up Her Mind, is from Thomas County.
Higher Thomas University Education
Annual Thomasville is known for its annual Rose Festival and is nicknamed "The Events City of Roses". The historic Roses Weekend begins the first weekend in
April. The annual Rose Parade and many other activities are held during the month.
The Victorian Christmas Activities are held the first weekend in December in downtown Thomasville. The Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival is held in November.
County http://www.thomascountyboc.org
Chamber of http://www.thomasvillechamber.com/ Commerce
Additional http://www.georgiaplanning.com/CountyPortal/countyportal.asp? County Info FIPS=13275
Downtown Thomasville Big Oak, Thomasville
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Copyright 2006 Georgia Department of Community Affairs All Rights Reserved.