County Info

History

This area was originally part of a large tract of land surrendered by Creek and Cherokee Native Americans to the Colony of Georgia in the treaty of 1773.

Oglethorpe County, established in 1793, is one of the oldest established areas in NE Georgia. It was named for General James Edward Oglethorpe founder of the colony 60 years earlier. Kennedy, a trapper, was the first known to settle here. Farmers soon had good tobacco crops. Tobacco was replaced by cotton, which remained the dominant crop until drought, the boll weevil and the Great Depression spelled its downfall.

For almost a half century after its establishment, Oglethorpe County was a leader in the political, social and economic life of Georgia. Because its history includes so many important institutions and prominent men in the state and the nation, it has been called and truly was the "Mother of Statesmen".

Early Oglethorpe County notables include:

• William H. Crawford (1772-1834) - Minister to France, U.S. Secretary of War, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, nearly successful candidate for President of the United States
• George Mathews (1739-1812) - Revolutionary hero and twice Governor
• Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809) was a teenage resident and later the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
• Wilson Lumpkin (1783-1870) - Governor
• George R. Gilmer (1790-1859) - Twice Governor
• Joseph H. Lumpkin (1799-1867) First Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, framed the state's penal code, cofounder of the Lumpkin Law School at UGA
• James Monroe Smith (1839-1915) renowned agriculturist and plantation owner of historic Smithonia.

Historic Resources

Oglethorpe is a rural county settled by emigrants from Virginia and the Carolinas in the mid 1700's. It has retained most of its original character and charm. There are three National Register Historic Districts, several individual National Historic properties, a significant number of historic buildings, two unique covered bridges and sites in the county representing architecture and history from the late 18th through 20th centuries.

The Lexington National Register Historic District encompasses virtually the entire city of Lexington. In history, architecture and surrounding, it is one of the finest surviving examples of a typical 19th century county seat and town in Georgia.

The Philomath National Register Historic District represents a small rural 19th century academic community. The Great Buffalo Lick described in William Bartram's journal, "Travels" (pub 1791) and a portion of the historic Bartram's Trail are located in Philomath in the southeast corner of the county.

The Smithonia National Register District includes a portion of the James Monroe Smith plantation known as "Smithonia." It was an empire that covered over 20,000 acres with more than 3,000 workers. It had two railroads, hotel, mills, factories, streetlights and stores.

The Watson Mill Covered Bridge (longest covered bridge in Georgia, ca. 1857) and the Howard's or Cloud's Creek Covered Bridge (longest single span, ca. 1904) are two of only a dozen such bridges in Georgia. They and the granite Old Crawford Depot (ca. 1848) represent historic resources that are fast disappearing in this country.

Natural Resources

Geography
Oglethorpe County is located in the northeast section of the Georgia Piedmont Plateau, adjacent and east of Athens- Clarke County. It is approximately 70 miles east of Atlanta. This largest county of N.E. Georgia is 442 square miles of gently rolling agricultural terrain. Agriculture has been the dominant part of the local economy. Cotton was king. Now farming turns to poultry, beef, dairy cattle, horticulture and specialty crops. The county boasts of having more acres in timber than any county in the region. The varied landscape is composed of pine forests, natural woodlands, pastures, and small rural communities connected by well-maintained county roads. The large expanses of open rolling fields and wooded acreage, punctuated with fine old homes, make this county a beautiful and inviting place to live.

The Broad River, considered to be the cleanest river in Georgia, creates the north border. The scenic Broad River, with its many rock outcroppings, shoals, and river islands, is considered to be one of the most unspoiled river corridors in the state. It is the only free-flowing river in the eastern Georgia Piedmont area. The Oconee River sets the southern border.

Flora and Fauna
Oglethorpe County provides an excellent habitat for a variety of species. One can find wild turkey, deer, rabbits, squirrel, raccoons, bobcats, foxes, opossum, quail, doves, waterfowl and many songbirds. Otters and beavers are active in the rivers and their surrounding tributaries and wetlands. The rivers contain large-mouth bass, white bass, bluegill, crappie, carp, bullheads, redear sunfish and catfish.

The county is home to the Oglethorpe Oak a rare and distinct species discovered in the county in 1947. The largest known specimen on record, listed on the National Register of Big Trees, is located in the Goose Pond district in northern Oglethorpe County. Another is found on the left lawn of the historic courthouse in the city of Lexington.

Minerals
The eastern part of Oglethorpe County overlays one of the richest deposits of monument-quality granite in the world, supporting a number of quarries and granite related industries. Amethyst, aqurite, barite, chalcopyrite, feldspar, gneiss, gold, graphite, kaoline, magnetite, malachite, muscovite, novaculite, ocher, pyrite, quartz, and sand are also found in the county, but only granite is being quarried at the present time. Gold was mined in the county until 1932 and approximately one half of the "Gold Belt" running through Oglethorpe is yet to be appraised.

Parks and Recreation

Oglethorpe County affords many opportunities for recreation.. Year-round fishing in the numerous rivers, creeks, and well-stocked ponds is a popular pastime. An abundance of deer and game birds provide good inseason hunting. Several parks within the county hold a variety of recreational options.

The northern tip of Oconee National Forest located in southwestern Oglethorpe County, is part of the 4,000 acre Redlands Wildlife Management Area. Here one finds overnight camping, hiking and hunting.

Watson Mill State Park is located on the northern border to Madison County, on the east fork of the Broad River. Here you find the longest covered bridge in Georgia over which you can drive. It is the site of a former gristmill and power generating plant. The beautiful park offers picnicking, hiking, canoeing, extensive horseback riding trails, swimming and wading in the shoals, sightseeing, overnight camping and fine facilities for a variety of group meetings.

Shaking Rock Park, located off Route 78 in Lexington, has a picnic area. Huge natural granite outcroppings in unusual shapes are scattered throughout the park. It drives its name from an enormous 20-ton boulder that was so perfectly balanced that it could be shaken with the pressure of a hand. An active beaver pond and nature trails with identified trees enhance the park.

Bryan Park offers four baseball/softball fields, football/ soccer fields, a seven-acre pond, a nature trail, and meeting facilities for the County.

Community Facilities

Education
Oglethorpe County has an excellent consolidated school system serving K-12, offering college preparatory, technical preparatory and vocational education. A modern Media Center, Technology Laboratory, Activities/ Physical Education facilities, Gymnasium and Athletics facilities are provided. Special Instructions Assistance Program are also available. A new Ag Center is under development. The Oglethorpe County Middle School has been recognized as a "Georgia School of Excellence". The University of Georgia, Gainesville College and the Athens Technical College are just 20 minutes from the heart of Oglethorpe County. The remains of the renowned Meson Academy are marked in Lexington.

Library
The Oglethorpe County Library is part of the Athens Regional Library system offering an extensive computerconnected network, with Internet access, providing exceptional opportunities for research. The Library itself is housed in a beautiful 7,000-sq. ft. building with more than 23,000 volumes. A 100-seat meeting room is available for public use. It contains film & video facilities as well as space for art exhibits.

Health Care Services
Oglethorpe boasts a wide variety of health care services. Day-to-day medical/dental needs are served at two medical centers, a dental clinic, and the public health department. Two excellent hospitals, Athens Regional and St. Mary's are just next door in Clarke County along with other specialized health facilities.

Police, Fire and EMS
An efficient Sheriff's Department, 14 Volunteer Fire Departments, civil defense rescue, and the EMS quarters in Crawford afford Oglethorpe citizens good response to emergencies.

Demographics

Population: 12,635
Total Area: 441.1 Square miles

Cities and Towns

Arnoldsville
Crawford
Lexington (County Seat)
Maxeys