58-485: Hahira ( / h eɪ ˈ h aɪ r ə / ) is a city in northwest Lowndes County , Georgia , United States. The population was 3,384 at the 2020 census, up from 1,626 at the 2000 census. Hahira has a mayor-council form of elected government. As of 2023, the city is led by Mayor Bruce Cain and the four members of the City Council, who are elected from single-member districts. The city is mentioned in several songs by
116-531: A Revolutionary War leader and was elected as South Carolina Governor. The Coffee Road was an improved trail first cut by Georgia militia to supply federal troops in Florida during the Creek Wars. It was the first route through the area of Lowndes County and opened up the area to white settlers. During the first few years after Lowndes County was organized, its courts met at the tavern owned by Sion Hall on
174-482: 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 and Colquitt counties on February 25, 1856. Many residents of Lowndes County were unhappy when the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad announced June 17, 1858, that they had selected a planned route that would bypass Troupville. On June 22 at 3:00 AM,
232-749: A household in the city was $ 27,946, and the median income for a family was $ 37,188. Males had a median income of $ 27,121 versus $ 18,981 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 12,899. About 13.9% of families and 17.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 23.1% of those under age 18 and 19.6% of those age 65 or over. Students in Hahira are part of the Lowndes County School District . The following schools are in Hahira: The South Georgia Regional Library operates
290-523: A law establishing a new county seat at a place to be called Lowndesville. The law 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, but in December 1834, the state legislature authorized commissioners to select
348-412: A local legend, the name originated with a locomotive engineer called Hira, who was hailed by friends with, "Hey, Hira." The Georgia General Assembly incorporated Hahira in 1891, with Henry Briggs Lawson serving as the first mayor until 1907. By the time of its incorporation, several stores had already been established due to an influx of residents in the mid-1880s. In 1904, a bank was opened, followed by
406-405: A newspaper in 1906. Prior to 1904, there was one practicing doctor in the town during the 1890s. As a predominantly agricultural area, Hahira residents largely relied on their own vegetable gardens, raised hogs for meat, and owned milk cows. The primary cash crop was cotton, which remained so until the early 1920s when a Boll weevil infestation devastated the crop. Subsequently, tobacco became
464-475: A significant attraction for the town. Often, the festival has an annual theme. For example, in 2022, the theme was "Living a Life Without Limits: Honoring Those With Special Abilities in Our Community," and the theme for 2023 honored lineworkers . In 2024, the festival will honor school bus drivers . In October 2022, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp became the first governor to serve as grand marshal in
522-477: A significant role in the local economy, with woodlands abundant in large yellow pine or heart pine trees. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, Hahira also gained prominence in the boxing scene through local fight promotions. This period also marked the growth of the beekeeping industry in the area. When settlers first arrived in South Georgia, there were no honeybees to pollinate their crops. Beekeeping
580-424: A suitable site for a courthouse so that the county seat could be moved away 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
638-533: Is Hahira's Main Street and leads east 18 miles (29 km) to Lakeland and west 22 miles (35 km) to Pavo . According to the United States Census Bureau , Hahira has a total area of 2.80 square miles (7.26 km), of which 2.69 square miles (6.97 km) are land and 0.11 square miles (0.29 km), or 4.00%, are water. Franks Creek runs through the westernmost part of the city and
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#1732787949361696-472: Is a town in Cook County , Georgia , United States. The population was 286 at the 2010 census and 284 in 2020. A post office called Cecil was established in 1888. The Georgia General Assembly incorporated Cecil as a town in 1890. Cecil is located at 31°2′50″N 83°23′36″W / 31.04722°N 83.39333°W / 31.04722; -83.39333 (31.047092, -83.393416). According to
754-592: Is land and 15 square miles (39 km ) (2.8%) is water. 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
812-629: Is located in Lowndes County. The land that became Lowndes County had historically been inhabited by the Timucua . During most of 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 present-day Lake Park. In
870-453: Is part of the Little River – Withlachoochee River – Suwannee River watershed, flowing to the Gulf of Mexico . In 2000, there were 1,626 people, 643 households, and 448 families residing in the city. The population density was 739.4 inhabitants per square mile (285.5/km). There were 715 housing units at an average density of 325.1 units per square mile (125.5 units/km). The racial makeup of
928-490: Is unclear if authorities are investigating the latest vandalism incident. On September 15, 1941, Moody Air Force Base opened. it was part of the federal government's investment in military facilities in the South. The region received considerable Federal monies during World War II. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 511 square miles (1,320 km ), of which 496 square miles (1,280 km )
986-570: The American Colonization Society , which had been working since the antebellum years to relocate free blacks to this new colony in West Africa. African Americans dominated the new colony (and future country) both socially and politically well into the 20th century before indigenous peoples, the majority within the borders of the country, came to power. Prior to 1872, the southern border of Lowndes County and of Georgia
1044-596: The Seminole in Florida. General Winfield Scott , commander of United States field forces in the area, intended to stop the Creek movement and did. Virtually no Native Americans were left in South Georgia. In February 1850 Lowndes County lost land to the formation of Clinch County . At that time the eastern border of Lowndes County was defined as the Alapaha River . By the time of the 1850 census, Lowndes County had
1102-406: The United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 0.9 sq mi (2.3 km ), of which 0.9 sq mi (2.3 km ) is land and 1.18% is water. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 284 people, 128 households, and 82 families residing in the city. South Georgia Motorsports Park, a racing venue, is located near Cecil. The town offers rustic accommodations at
1160-607: The 20th century. Hahira is located at 30°59′26″N 83°22′17″W / 30.99056°N 83.37139°W / 30.99056; -83.37139 (30.990537, -83.371433). U.S. Route 41 passes through the center of town as Church Street, leading north 4 miles (6 km) to Cecil and south 14 miles (23 km) to Valdosta , the county seat . Interstate 75 passes through the west side of Hahira, with access from Exit 29 ( Georgia State Route 122 ). I-75 leads north 33 miles (53 km) to Tifton and south past Valdosta 74 miles (119 km) to Lake City, Florida . State Route 122
1218-535: The American singer and comedian Ray Stevens , most notably in the song " Shriner's Convention ." According to legend, the town of Hahira was named after a local cotton plantation. The planter was said to have named his estate after a West African village, Hairaairee, which was described to him by an English traveler. The name may be derived from Pi-HaHiroth , a place mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. According to
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#17327879493611276-690: The Coffee Road, near what is now Morven, Georgia in Brooks County, on the west side of the Little River. The first county seat was established at Franklinville (sometimes spelled Franklynville) by the Georgia General Assembly on December 16, 1828. 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; it was named after statesman and Founding Father of
1334-457: The Fall of 2009, Harvey's Supermarket sponsored a "Great Hahira Pick-In," before building a store on the traditional site of the festival. Lowndes County, Georgia Lowndes County ( / ˈ l aʊ n d z / ) is a county located in the south-central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia . As of the 2020 census , the population was 118,251. The county seat is Valdosta . The county
1392-593: The Georgia General Assembly 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 land for a new county seat; it was to be along the line of the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad and as close to the center of the county as possible. As part of the same act the Brooks-Lowndes County border
1450-530: The Hahira City Council, with a vote by the mayor, passed a clothing ordinance that bans residents from wearing pants that have a top falling below the waist in fit and reveal skin or undergarments. The council was split 2–2, and their tie was broken by the mayor in favor of the ordinance. The Hahira Honeybee Festival is an annual event held in the city during the first week of October. Established in 1981 by Mamie Sorrell and Adeline Landrum, its aim
1508-551: 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 . Brooks was established on December 11. On December 13, 1858,
1566-530: The Native Americans from what became the state. 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 . The county was named for William Jones Lowndes (1782–1822), a prominent South Carolina lawyer and Congressman. His father Rawlins Lowndes had been
1624-598: The United States, Benjamin Franklin . At the time of the 1830 federal census, 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 toward the rivers. In December 1833 the state legislature passed
1682-557: The Valdosta city limits are in the Lowndes County School District , while those in the Valdosta city limits are in the Valdosta City School District . Lowndes High School and Valdosta High School are the district's respective comprehensive high schools. Valwood School is a private school in the county. Valdosta State University is in Valdosta. South Georgia Regional Library operates libraries in
1740-660: The Walter R. & Dorothy Salter Hahira Library. For years, the public library of Hahira consisted of a few thousand books in a small room in City Hall, operated by Jackie Matthews and open only on Thursday afternoons. The state of Georgia then launched a grant program to its cities, promising funds that would pay 90 percent of construction and furnishings to local governments that matched funds and provided land. Hahira citizens were divided, torn between serious water and sewage issues and their own public library. Ultimately, Hahira, which
1798-431: The centuries that followed, Timucua civilization collapsed due to slave raiding and disease. The Creek Nation peoples moved into the area and, by the early 19th century, they were well established here. On December 15, 1818, European Americans organized what they called Irwin County, which had been settled by pushing out the Creek people. In the 1830s Georgia and the federal government completed Indian Removal of most of
Hahira, Georgia - Misplaced Pages Continue
1856-701: The cigarette manufacturers sold their shares in the company to the Julep Cigarette Company. Hahira then became the manufacturing site for nationally distributed "Happy Days" cigarettes for several years. The cigarette factory was situated alongside the Norfolk Southern Railroad on Coleman Road and remained in operation until 1998. In 2002, the building was demolished, and many of its old bricks, as well as heart pine lumber from its foundation beams and flooring, were salvaged for reuse. Additionally, timber and its by-products played
1914-542: The city was 73.49% White , 22.32% African American , 0.92% Native American , 0.31% Asian , 1.97% from other races , and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.43% of the population. There were 643 households, out of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were married couples living together, 18.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% had someone living alone who
1972-556: The coming 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. The closest battle to Troupville between Native Americans and whites was at Brushy Creek on November 10, 1836, in modern Berrien County . Creek Nation people were passing through Lowndes County to join
2030-583: The cotton mill town of Remerton was established, and by 1920, Lowndes County lost some territory when Lanier County was established. In 1918, a white planter was murdered in Brooks County. He was known to have mistreated his black workers. Sidney Johnson, one of his workers, was suspected in his death. Mobs of whites hunted in Brooks and Lowndes counties for Johnson, rounding up and killing at least 11 other black men and one black woman and her unborn baby in what historian Meyers called "a lynching rampage." One man
2088-481: The county having 2,850 free whites, no free persons of color, and 2,399 slaves. No battles during the American Civil War were fought in Lowndes County. Several regular Confederate Army companies were raised from the population. Those included: State Guard units included: In addition, two Georgia Militia companies were partially raised from the population in early 1864 following the reorganization of
2146-697: The county. Up until 1960, Lowndes County voted with the Democrats, as with most of the Solid South . It flipped in 1964 when it voted for Republican Barry Goldwater and has remained reliably Republican since then. The last Democrat to carry the county was Jimmy Carter in 1976. 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. 30°50′N 83°16′W / 30.83°N 83.27°W / 30.83; -83.27 Cecil, Georgia Cecil
2204-458: The festival's parade. From the early 1980s to the mid-1990s, Wilby and Gloria Coleman of Valdosta, together with family and friends, sponsored an annual bluegrass festival in Hahira. The Pick-In featured a weekend of bluegrass bands on the mountain stage as well as pickers and grinners in camp sites throughout the city. Citing falling revenues, organizers ended the Pick-Ins in the mid-1990s. In
2262-533: The main source of income for farmers despite traditionally only been grown in Virginia and North Carolina . In the late 1920s, a group of tobacco businessmen in Hahira established a cigarette manufacturing facility instead of shipping their products to the northern U.S. Their cigarette packs featured a Native American man on the front and a wigwam on the back. However, during the Great Depression ,
2320-520: The military occupation of the South during the Reconstruction era. Several years after the Civil War, 112 African American men, women, and children moved from Lowndes County to Arthington, Liberia in 1871 and 1872. Some settled there permanently to make their home in a colony established for free American blacks; a small number returned to the United States. Their emigration was supported by
2378-516: The militia. 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 owner refused to take Confederate money in exchange for yarn. They took all
Hahira, Georgia - Misplaced Pages Continue
2436-470: 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. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 118,251 people, 42,639 households, and 26,536 families residing in the county. The county's former courthouse was built circa 1905 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places ; it
2494-528: The white planter's death. None of the lynching participants were prosecuted. On May 15, 2010, a historical marker memorializing "Mary Turner and the Lynching Rampage" was placed near the lynching site in Lowndes County and dedicated. The plaque includes a description of the associated murders of black people by white mobs in 1918, especially the lynchings of the Turners. In July 2013, the plaque
2552-482: 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. 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
2610-449: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.08. In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.4% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.8 males. The median income for
2668-408: Was adjusted so that the east bank of the Little River formed the border. 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
2726-478: Was completed. This is the structure that is locally referred to in the 21st century as 'the old courthouse.' In August and September 2010, the county government moved to a new judicial complex. The 1905 Lowndes County Courthouse is widely acknowledged as one of the most beautiful county courthouses in Georgia. It is used for meetings, public display, and other community attractions. Today it is used for many events, meetings, and political purposes. Residents not in
2784-471: Was created December 23, 1825. Lowndes County is included in the Valdosta metropolitan statistical area . It is located along the border with Florida . 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 km ) wetlands,
2842-563: Was found to have five bullet holes shot by an unknown vandal. Since 2013, the plaque now has as many as 27 bullet holes and more recently, was struck multiple times by “some kind of off-road vehicle,” Mark Patrick George, coordinator for the Mary Turner Project, announced in October 2020. The historical marker has been since removed. Project officials said the historical marker will be stored until re-installment plans are made. It
2900-654: Was introduced by W. L. Morgan in Troupville . The black bee was brought from Germany or Holland, while the yellow bee originated from Italy. J. E. Williams established an apiary in the region that is now Cook County , near Sparks, Georgia , and became the first recorded commercial beekeeper in Lowndes County. The Puett Co. and Garnett Puett Sr. are recognized as pioneers in the Hahira beekeeping industry. Hahira has largely remained an agricultural community, with tobacco cultivation continuing as one of its main crops, though production has fallen significantly since its peak in
2958-429: Was killed in Lowndes County and the others in Brooks. Mary Turner , the married mother of two young children and eight months pregnant, was brutally murdered in Lowndes County, near Folsom Bridge on the Little River. The unborn child was then cut from her womb and its head crushed by a booted foot of one of the participants in the lynching. Her husband had been lynched the day before although neither had anything to do with
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#17327879493613016-543: Was known during the 1920s as the Queen Bee Capital of the World, built a library, which opened on March 12, 1989. The library acquired its name from Walter R. Salter, a former mayor, councilman, and local business owner who had long desired a library for the community. Upon his death in 1984, his wife Dorothy came forward with a gift of $ 30,000. Dorothy was present at the library's formal dedication and Clara Vinson
3074-518: Was named as its first manager. Salter Hahira Library is widely used by educators and home school families in the community. The Salter Hahira Library has earned a reputation of friendliness and hospitality. It serves as a community center for Hahira, and a touchstone for local storytelling. In 2010, the library received an $ 80,000 renovation, completed by Cauthan Construction Company, of the exterior and interior. Citing public safety concerns, in March 2008,
3132-576: Was slightly farther south. The border when Lowndes County was created was along what was called McNeil's Line. A dispute over the border 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. In 1899
3190-409: Was sold for the funding of a new courthouse by 1869. The wooden building used for the courts of ordinary burned down in 1869. Lowndes County was without an official courthouse for a number of years. A two-story brick building was completed in 1874. In 1900, county commissioners decided that a larger structure was needed. In March 1904 the old courthouse was demolished and in 1905, the seventh courthouse
3248-459: Was the county's seventh courthouse. The first courthouse was built in 1828 at Franklinville, the original county seat. In 1834 another courthouse was built at the new county seat of Troupville. It was replaced by a new courthouse in 1842. The 1842 structure was destroyed by a fire set by William B. Crawford in June 1858. The first courthouse at Valdosta was built in 1860 and was a wooden structure that
3306-552: Was to be the closest fighting came to Valdosta during the Civil War. Valdosta became a home for many refugees fleeing into south Georgia due to Sherman's March to the Sea . Among those refugees was the family of Doc Holliday . Other refugees came by the railroad from Savannah and the Sea Islands . In the years right after the Civil War, members of Company "G", 103rd United States Colored Troops were stationed at Valdosta as part of
3364-402: Was to revitalize Hahira through an event including arts, crafts, food, entertainment, a beauty pageant , and a parade. Since its inception, the festival has grown from a single weekend into a week-long event. It has become one of the largest festivals of its kind in South Georgia. Attendance estimates for the parade and the festival's street activities include as many as 36,000 visitors, making it
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