Hogansville, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Hogansville is a city in Troup County
, Georgia
, United States
. The population was 2,774 at the 2000 census. Hogansville holds an annual Hummingbird Festival
in October. 2010 will be the 13th year of the festival.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 6.7 square miles (17.4 km²), of which, 6.6 square miles (17.1 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.45%) is water.
plantation
of one man, William Hogan. Hogansville began because there was a crossroads on Hogan's land of two important routes, the north-south railroad between Atlanta
and West Point
, and the east-west road to Augusta
, now Highway 100. In his grant of right-of-way, Hogan gave an additional 150 feet (45.7 m) at the crossroad with the stipulation that a depot be built there. His foresight in this grant was the beginning of the town, long before it was incorporated in 1870. This depot was along the rebuilt, and has since been restored.
When Hogan settled the land after the State Land Grant of 1826, he built a log home somewhere near the location of the Mill on South 29. In 1851, he built a 2½ story brick colonial house. The home burned in 1899 and was rebuilt nearby in 1901. Currently Fair Oaks, a private residence at 703 East Main Street, occupies the site. William Hogan died at 57 after having 6 children by his first wife Mary and 15 by his second wife Suzanna. Because of this, his descendants are numerous with many still living in the area. William Hogan is buried in the small family cemetery in front of 705 East Main Street.
market in the area.
By 1890, the Zachry Building was constructed at the corner of Main and College. The Zachry Brothers store occupied the first floor and sold general merchandise including liquor by the bottle and by the drink. Some years later, the Opera House opened on the second floor. Around 1900, the Grand Hotel was built by a stock company on the southeast corner of Main and Oak Streets. In those days old Bill Dukes and his Ox
cart met every train to bring up baggage to the Hotel. He also rang the dinner bell as he walked the length of the two porches, upstairs and downstairs shouting, "Dinner is served!" The porches extended all across the front and sides of the building on two floors. This hotel is still standing and has been restored.
. In 1897, businessmen from Atlanta
and Hogansville chartered the Hogansville Manufacturing Company. The mill was built near Yellow Jacket Creek. Adjacent to the mill, a "mill village
" was constructed to house the workers. This village is bounded by Green, Dickinson, Askew and Johnson Streets. In 1905 the mill was bought by Consolidated Duck of Delaware
, who sold it to Lockwood-Green of Boston
in 1913. Callaway of LaGrange
bought the mill in 1928, and finally the company that was to become Uniroyal bought the mill and operated it until recently. Currently the mill operates as Industrial Specialty Fabrics.
and the dramatic fall of cotton prices, Hogansville fell on hard economic times during the 20's and 30's. The town did benefit from many of the programs of the Roosevelt
Administration. The WPA
helped to build the gymnasium and tennis courts at the school on Main Street and the CCC
built the Hogansville Amphitheater using stone from a nearby rock quarry. Since a recent restoration, the amphitheater is the sight of many local events including a series of concerts given during the Hummingbird Festival
.
Hogansville also had ties to Roosevelt on a more personal level. Mr. Hugh Darden owned the Ford
dealership in town. Chief salesman Joe Broome sold to FDR the hand controller car he drove while in Warm Springs, Georgia
. The car is now on display at the Little White House
.
and through the Korean War
brought great prosperity to the town of Hogansville. It was the commercial center for northern Troup County
, Heard
, and Meriwether
Counties and southern Coweta
County. Main Street was abuzz with activity and the sidewalks were choked with shoppers every Saturday. In 1937, the Royal Theater was built by Mr. O.C. Lam. His brother, Mr. C.O. Lam was superintendent of schools at the time. This theater, an excellent example of Art Deco
style was the center of social life in Hogansville for decades.
With the coming of the mass use of automobiles in the 1950s, dark clouds were gathering for Hogansville. The car allowed people to travel farther and farther to larger stores and the local merchants suffered. The 1960s brought social upheaval to Hogansville along with the rest of the country. When faced with the choice of integrating or closing their schools, those in favor of maintaining schools prevailed and the schools were integrated almost without incident. Current times see Hogansville looking to the future and re-establishing itself as a cultural and artistic center as well as becoming a bedroom community for the region.
of 2000, there were 2,774 people, 1,099 households, and 727 families residing in the city. The population density
was 418.1 people per square mile (161.3/km²). There were 1,249 housing units at an average density of 188.2 per square mile (72.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 55.16% White, 43.22% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.29% from other races
, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.58% of the population.
There were 1,099 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.2% were married couples
living together, 22.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 82.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,976, and the median income for a family was $32,979. Males had a median income of $27,028 versus $18,889 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $12,592. About 10.2% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.4% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.
Troup County, Georgia
Troup County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2010, the population was 67,044. The county seat is LaGrange.-History:...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 2,774 at the 2000 census. Hogansville holds an annual Hummingbird Festival
Hogansville Hummingbird Festival
The town of Hogansville, Georgia has held an annual Hummingbird Festival every year since 1998, in the third week of October. This arts-and-crafts festival highlights the historic downtown of Hogansville, which was established in the early 19th century and incorporated as a town in 1870.-Brief...
in October. 2010 will be the 13th year of the festival.
Geography
Hogansville is located at 33°10′12"N 84°54′33"W (33.170022, -84.909146).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 6.7 square miles (17.4 km²), of which, 6.6 square miles (17.1 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.45%) is water.
Before the Civil War
The town of Hogansville has a unique beginning in that it arose from the pre-Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
plantation
Plantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
of one man, William Hogan. Hogansville began because there was a crossroads on Hogan's land of two important routes, the north-south railroad between Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
and West Point
West Point, Georgia
West Point is a town in Troup County, with a small tail of the south end of town in Harris County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, this town had a total population of just 3,382 people...
, and the east-west road to Augusta
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
, now Highway 100. In his grant of right-of-way, Hogan gave an additional 150 feet (45.7 m) at the crossroad with the stipulation that a depot be built there. His foresight in this grant was the beginning of the town, long before it was incorporated in 1870. This depot was along the rebuilt, and has since been restored.
When Hogan settled the land after the State Land Grant of 1826, he built a log home somewhere near the location of the Mill on South 29. In 1851, he built a 2½ story brick colonial house. The home burned in 1899 and was rebuilt nearby in 1901. Currently Fair Oaks, a private residence at 703 East Main Street, occupies the site. William Hogan died at 57 after having 6 children by his first wife Mary and 15 by his second wife Suzanna. Because of this, his descendants are numerous with many still living in the area. William Hogan is buried in the small family cemetery in front of 705 East Main Street.
After the Civil War
Hogan sold very little of his land prior to the Civil War. The survivors of the War returned to a very grave economic situation. Reconstruction days began and John Pullin, Hogan's son-in-law, had the town laid out in business lots which were sold at an Administrators sale in 1866. Main Street was laid off in the sale sixty feet wide extending east and west on both sides of the railroad. The town of Hogansville was incorporated on October 12, 1870 and immediately was known as a center of commerce and the largest cottonCotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
market in the area.
By 1890, the Zachry Building was constructed at the corner of Main and College. The Zachry Brothers store occupied the first floor and sold general merchandise including liquor by the bottle and by the drink. Some years later, the Opera House opened on the second floor. Around 1900, the Grand Hotel was built by a stock company on the southeast corner of Main and Oak Streets. In those days old Bill Dukes and his Ox
Ox
An ox , also known as a bullock in Australia, New Zealand and India, is a bovine trained as a draft animal. Oxen are commonly castrated adult male cattle; castration makes the animals more tractable...
cart met every train to bring up baggage to the Hotel. He also rang the dinner bell as he walked the length of the two porches, upstairs and downstairs shouting, "Dinner is served!" The porches extended all across the front and sides of the building on two floors. This hotel is still standing and has been restored.
19th century
For much of its existence Hogansville was a mill townMill town
A mill town, also known as factory town or mill village, is typically a settlement that developed around one or more mills or factories .- United Kingdom:...
. In 1897, businessmen from Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
and Hogansville chartered the Hogansville Manufacturing Company. The mill was built near Yellow Jacket Creek. Adjacent to the mill, a "mill village
Mill Village
Mill Village may refer to:* Mill village, a settlement that developed around one or more mills or factories* Mill Village, Nova Scotia, Canada* Mill Village, Pennsylvania, United States-See also:* Mooresville Mill Village* Pepper Mill Village...
" was constructed to house the workers. This village is bounded by Green, Dickinson, Askew and Johnson Streets. In 1905 the mill was bought by Consolidated Duck of Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
, who sold it to Lockwood-Green of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
in 1913. Callaway of LaGrange
LaGrange, Georgia
LaGrange is a city in Troup County, Georgia, United States. It is named after the country estate near Paris of the Marquis de La Fayette, who visited the area in 1825. The population was 24,998 at the 2000 census...
bought the mill in 1928, and finally the company that was to become Uniroyal bought the mill and operated it until recently. Currently the mill operates as Industrial Specialty Fabrics.
Great Depression
With the Great DepressionGreat Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
and the dramatic fall of cotton prices, Hogansville fell on hard economic times during the 20's and 30's. The town did benefit from many of the programs of the Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
Administration. The WPA
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
helped to build the gymnasium and tennis courts at the school on Main Street and the CCC
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
built the Hogansville Amphitheater using stone from a nearby rock quarry. Since a recent restoration, the amphitheater is the sight of many local events including a series of concerts given during the Hummingbird Festival
Hogansville Hummingbird Festival
The town of Hogansville, Georgia has held an annual Hummingbird Festival every year since 1998, in the third week of October. This arts-and-crafts festival highlights the historic downtown of Hogansville, which was established in the early 19th century and incorporated as a town in 1870.-Brief...
.
Hogansville also had ties to Roosevelt on a more personal level. Mr. Hugh Darden owned the Ford
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
dealership in town. Chief salesman Joe Broome sold to FDR the hand controller car he drove while in Warm Springs, Georgia
Warm Springs, Georgia
Warm Springs is a city in Meriwether County, Georgia, United States. The population was 478 at the 2010 census.-History:Warm Springs first came to prominence in the 19th century as a spa town, due to its mineral springs which flow constantly at nearly 32 °C...
. The car is now on display at the Little White House
Little White House
The Little White House, in the Warm Springs Historic District in Warm Springs, Georgia, was Franklin Delano Roosevelt's personal retreat. He first came to Warm Springs for treatment of his paralytic illness, and liked the area so much that, as Governor of New York, he had a home built on nearby...
.
Post war and contemporary
The period after World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and through the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
brought great prosperity to the town of Hogansville. It was the commercial center for northern Troup County
Troup County, Georgia
Troup County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2010, the population was 67,044. The county seat is LaGrange.-History:...
, Heard
Heard County, Georgia
Heard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 22, 1830. As of 2000, the population was 11,012. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 11,387...
, and Meriwether
Meriwether County, Georgia
Meriwether County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 14, 1827. As of 2000, the population was 22,534. The 2009 Census Estimate reflects a population of 22,783...
Counties and southern Coweta
Coweta County, Georgia
Coweta County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 89,215. The 2009 Census Estimate placed the population at 131,936...
County. Main Street was abuzz with activity and the sidewalks were choked with shoppers every Saturday. In 1937, the Royal Theater was built by Mr. O.C. Lam. His brother, Mr. C.O. Lam was superintendent of schools at the time. This theater, an excellent example of Art Deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
style was the center of social life in Hogansville for decades.
With the coming of the mass use of automobiles in the 1950s, dark clouds were gathering for Hogansville. The car allowed people to travel farther and farther to larger stores and the local merchants suffered. The 1960s brought social upheaval to Hogansville along with the rest of the country. When faced with the choice of integrating or closing their schools, those in favor of maintaining schools prevailed and the schools were integrated almost without incident. Current times see Hogansville looking to the future and re-establishing itself as a cultural and artistic center as well as becoming a bedroom community for the region.
Attractions and events
- Hogansville Hummingbird FestivalHogansville Hummingbird FestivalThe town of Hogansville, Georgia has held an annual Hummingbird Festival every year since 1998, in the third week of October. This arts-and-crafts festival highlights the historic downtown of Hogansville, which was established in the early 19th century and incorporated as a town in 1870.-Brief...
, outdoor arts-and-crafts festival held the third weekend of October - Christmas Parade, "Santa Claus and dozens of floats, both home-made and professional, our parade is small town life at its best"
- Trunk or Treat, "A great Hogansville Halloween idea. Fun for kids of all ages. Proves the adage that it's better to give than receive."
- Van Byars Antique Auction, a Hogansville tradition, every third Saturday throughout the year
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,774 people, 1,099 households, and 727 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 418.1 people per square mile (161.3/km²). There were 1,249 housing units at an average density of 188.2 per square mile (72.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 55.16% White, 43.22% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.29% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.58% of the population.
There were 1,099 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 22.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 82.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,976, and the median income for a family was $32,979. Males had a median income of $27,028 versus $18,889 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $12,592. About 10.2% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.4% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.
External links
- Official City of Hogansville Site
- Hogansville Hummingbird Festival
- Hogansville GA Welcome Center, operated by the Merchant's Association