Murray County, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Murray County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Georgia
. As of 2000, the population was 36,506. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 40,664. The county seat
is Chatsworth
.
It is part of the Dalton
, Georgia
, Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
designated the extreme northwestern corner of the state as Murray County. Formerly part of Cherokee County, the area was named for a distinguished Georgia statesman from Lincoln County, Mr. Thomas W. Murray, a former speaker of the Georgia House. Within a short time the legislature found the county was too large to administer properly as the population grew, for the county then included what is now Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Gordon and parts of Bartow and Chatooga Counties, so further division became necessary. Within two decades, Murray County came to be 342 square miles (886 km²) of land with Spring Place as its county seat until the railroad was built through Chatsworth, and made Chtsworth more accessible, the county seat was moved to Chatsworth.
", the white people who had drawn or purchased Murray County land lots of 160 acre (0.6474976 km²) in the Georgia Land Lottery were pouring into the area.
Murray County had no industry and very little wealth. When Georgia seceded from the Union, hundreds of men and boys from Murray answered the call and went to fight for the Confederacy. Many would never return home. The following units were from Murray County:
3rd Battalion, Georgia Infantry, Company B, Spring Place Volunteers
11th Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company C, Murray Rifle Company
22nd Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company D
37th Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company A
39th Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company A, Cohutta Rangers
39th Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company B
19th State Troops – Capt. John Oats Company
In 1864, two skirmishes between Union and Confederate soldiers took place just to the west of Spring Place, one of which took place on June 25, 1864 with the 8th Michigan Cavalry US. The First Tennessee Cavalry CS skirmished about 5 miles north of Spring Place on April 19, 1864. A skirmish took place near Westfield late during the night of August 22, 1864. Captain Woody of the Murray County Home Guard was reported wounded.
On February 27, 1865 and April 20, 1865 there was a skirmish at Spring Place between Confederates and the 145th Indiana Infantry US. This was followed by a skirmish on Holly Creek on March 1, 1865. By 1865 Spring Place was known as an area occupied by Confederate Guerrillas. During March 20–22, 1865 Union soldiers made an attempt to suppress this activity.
. With the new railroad line in place, timber could be shipped out of the mountains, and talc deposits, discovered in the 1870s, was able to be mined and the ore shipped throughout the country.
The old county seat of Spring Place was bypassed by the railroad. Some Murray Countians began an effort to move the county seat to the more central and accessible railroad town of Chatsworth
. Much dissention was caused by this effort. A county-wide referendum was held on the matter in 1912, which resulted in Chatsworth
being named as the seat of local government, where it remains to present day.
Into the twentieth century, Murray remained predominantly agricultural. Shortly after World War II the textile industry, prevalent in neighboring Whitfield County
, began move into Murray. Today, the carpet industry is the predominant employer in Murray County.
at Spring Place. Constructed in 1805 for James Vann, a Cherokee chief, the two-story red brick home was built alongside the Federal Road, a major early path in northwest Georgia.
Fort Mountain State Park
. A 3712 acres (15 km²) park in the Cohutta Mountains.
Another major asset is the Chattahoochee National Forest, which occupies a large portion of northeastern Murray County. Within the forest is the Cohutta Wilderness Area, a roadless, mountainous landscape featuring several of Georgia's premier backpacking trails.
Carters Lake, on the Coosawatee River, was formed by the Carter Dam, which is the largest earth-rock dam east of the Mississippi. The 3200 acres (13 km²) lake attracts fishermen, boaters and campers.
Lake Conasauga
located near the summit of Grassy Mountain was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps
in 1940 and is the highest lake in Georgia at 3150 feet (960.1 m) above sea level.
of 2000, there were 36,506 people, 13,286 households, and 10,256 families residing in the county. The population density
was 41/km² (106/mi²). There were 14,320 housing units at an average density of 16/km² (42/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.30% White
, 0.62% Black
or African American
, 0.29% Native American
, 0.25% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 2.64% from other races
, and 0.88% from two or more races. 5.49% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 13,286 households out of which 39.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.80% were married couples
living together, 11.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.80% were non-families. 18.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.00% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 33.00% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 8.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 99.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,996, and the median income for a family was $42,155. Males had a median income of $29,812 versus $23,035 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,230. About 9.20% of families and 12.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 19.40% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
. As of 2000, the population was 36,506. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 40,664. The county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Chatsworth
Chatsworth, Georgia
Chatsworth is a city in Murray County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Dalton, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,531 at the 2000 census, but was estimated around 3,890 as of the 2005 census. The city is the county seat of Murray County...
.
It is part of the Dalton
Dalton, Georgia
Dalton is a city in Whitfield County, Georgia, United States. It is the county seat of Whitfield County and the principal city of the Dalton, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of both Murray and Whitfield counties. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 33,128...
, 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...
, Metropolitan Statistical Area
Dalton metropolitan area
The Dalton Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in northwestern Georgia, anchored by the city of Dalton...
.
History
In December, 1832 the Georgia General AssemblyGeorgia General Assembly
The Georgia General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is bicameral, being composed of the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Senate....
designated the extreme northwestern corner of the state as Murray County. Formerly part of Cherokee County, the area was named for a distinguished Georgia statesman from Lincoln County, Mr. Thomas W. Murray, a former speaker of the Georgia House. Within a short time the legislature found the county was too large to administer properly as the population grew, for the county then included what is now Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Gordon and parts of Bartow and Chatooga Counties, so further division became necessary. Within two decades, Murray County came to be 342 square miles (886 km²) of land with Spring Place as its county seat until the railroad was built through Chatsworth, and made Chtsworth more accessible, the county seat was moved to Chatsworth.
Cherokees
The area was in the heart of the Cherokee Nation at the time the boundary lines were drawn through the territory. Not until after the Cherokees were removed in 1838–39 did white settlers enter the county in large numbers. Spring Place had been established in 1801 as a Moravian mission to the Cherokee and had been a post office since 1810 – the second oldest in North Georgia. Soon after the Cherokee "Trail of TearsTrail of Tears
The Trail of Tears is a name given to the forced relocation and movement of Native American nations from southeastern parts of the United States following the Indian Removal Act of 1830...
", the white people who had drawn or purchased Murray County land lots of 160 acre (0.6474976 km²) in the Georgia Land Lottery were pouring into the area.
Civil War
At the outbreak of the American 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...
Murray County had no industry and very little wealth. When Georgia seceded from the Union, hundreds of men and boys from Murray answered the call and went to fight for the Confederacy. Many would never return home. The following units were from Murray County:
3rd Battalion, Georgia Infantry, Company B, Spring Place Volunteers
11th Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company C, Murray Rifle Company
22nd Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company D
37th Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company A
39th Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company A, Cohutta Rangers
39th Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company B
19th State Troops – Capt. John Oats Company
In 1864, two skirmishes between Union and Confederate soldiers took place just to the west of Spring Place, one of which took place on June 25, 1864 with the 8th Michigan Cavalry US. The First Tennessee Cavalry CS skirmished about 5 miles north of Spring Place on April 19, 1864. A skirmish took place near Westfield late during the night of August 22, 1864. Captain Woody of the Murray County Home Guard was reported wounded.
On February 27, 1865 and April 20, 1865 there was a skirmish at Spring Place between Confederates and the 145th Indiana Infantry US. This was followed by a skirmish on Holly Creek on March 1, 1865. By 1865 Spring Place was known as an area occupied by Confederate Guerrillas. During March 20–22, 1865 Union soldiers made an attempt to suppress this activity.
Railroad
In 1906, after two earlier attempts at building a railroad in Murray County had failed, the Louisville and Nashville line was built to run north to south through the entire length of the county. Murray grew, with new towns developing along the railroad. One of these new towns was named ChatsworthChatsworth, Georgia
Chatsworth is a city in Murray County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Dalton, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,531 at the 2000 census, but was estimated around 3,890 as of the 2005 census. The city is the county seat of Murray County...
. With the new railroad line in place, timber could be shipped out of the mountains, and talc deposits, discovered in the 1870s, was able to be mined and the ore shipped throughout the country.
The old county seat of Spring Place was bypassed by the railroad. Some Murray Countians began an effort to move the county seat to the more central and accessible railroad town of Chatsworth
Chatsworth, Georgia
Chatsworth is a city in Murray County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Dalton, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,531 at the 2000 census, but was estimated around 3,890 as of the 2005 census. The city is the county seat of Murray County...
. Much dissention was caused by this effort. A county-wide referendum was held on the matter in 1912, which resulted in Chatsworth
Chatsworth, Georgia
Chatsworth is a city in Murray County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Dalton, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,531 at the 2000 census, but was estimated around 3,890 as of the 2005 census. The city is the county seat of Murray County...
being named as the seat of local government, where it remains to present day.
Into the twentieth century, Murray remained predominantly agricultural. Shortly after World War II the textile industry, prevalent in neighboring Whitfield County
Whitfield County, Georgia
Whitfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 30, 1851. The 2010 Census shows a population of 102,599. The county seat is Dalton.It is part of the Dalton, Georgia, Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Civil War:...
, began move into Murray. Today, the carpet industry is the predominant employer in Murray County.
Attractions
The Chief Vann House Historic SiteChief Vann House Historic Site
The Chief Vann House is the first brick residence in the Cherokee Nation that has been called the "Showplace of the Cherokee Nation". Owned by a Cherokee chief named Chief James Vann, The Vann House is a Georgia Historic Site on the National Register of Historic Places and one of the oldest...
at Spring Place. Constructed in 1805 for James Vann, a Cherokee chief, the two-story red brick home was built alongside the Federal Road, a major early path in northwest Georgia.
Fort Mountain State Park
Fort Mountain State Park
Fort Mountain State Park is a 3,712 acre Georgia state park located between Chatsworth and Ellijay on Fort Mountain. The mountain is named for an ancient 885 foot long rock wall located on the peak. The wall is thought to have been built by area Native Americans either for defense or for...
. A 3712 acres (15 km²) park in the Cohutta Mountains.
Another major asset is the Chattahoochee National Forest, which occupies a large portion of northeastern Murray County. Within the forest is the Cohutta Wilderness Area, a roadless, mountainous landscape featuring several of Georgia's premier backpacking trails.
Carters Lake, on the Coosawatee River, was formed by the Carter Dam, which is the largest earth-rock dam east of the Mississippi. The 3200 acres (13 km²) lake attracts fishermen, boaters and campers.
Lake Conasauga
Lake Conasauga
Lake Conasauga is a lake in the Lake Conasauga Campground located near the summit of Grassy Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest in northern Georgia, USA. It is the highest lake in Georgia at above sea level. It was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, which finished it in 1940.Lake...
located near the summit of Grassy Mountain was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps
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...
in 1940 and is the highest lake in Georgia at 3150 feet (960.1 m) above sea level.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 346.88 square miles (898.4 km²), of which 344.41 square miles (892 km²) (or 99.29%) is land and 2.47 square miles (6.4 km²) (or 0.71%) is water.Major highways
U.S. Highway 76
U.S. Highway 411
Georgia State Route 2Georgia State Route 2State Route 2 is a west–east route in the northern part of Georgia. The route serves suburbs of Chattanooga, Tennessee, as well as much of the mountainous area in the northern part of the state.-Route description:...
Georgia State Route 52Georgia State Route 52State Route 52 is a west–east state route located in the northern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. The route travels from Interstate 75 in Dalton to State Route 98 in Maysville.-Route description:...
Georgia State Route 61Georgia State Route 61Georgia State Route 61 is a series of streets, roads and highways that form a mostly rural route in the western part of the state of Georgia connecting the cities of Carrollton, Villa Rica, Dallas, Cartersville, and White. The route's northern terminus is at the Tennessee state line north of...
Georgia State Route 136Georgia State Route 136Georgia State Route 136 is a series of streets, roads and highways that form a rural route in the northern part of the state of Georgia. Its eastern terminus occurs at the route's intersection with Georgia State Route 60, north of Gainesville in Hall County...
Georgia State Route 225Georgia State Route 225State Route 225 is a north to south route that traverses through north-central Gordon County, GA and western Murray County, GA. This highway is the most direct route for citizens of Murray County to reach Calhoun, Interstate 75, and Cleveland, TN....
Georgia State Route 282Georgia State Route 282State Route 282 is a west–east state route located in the northern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. From the route's western terminus at U.S. Route 411/State Route 61 south of Chatsworth, the route runs southeast, along the former route of State Route 61, before continuing east...
Georgia State Route 286Georgia State Route 286State Route 286 is a west–east state route located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. From the route's western terminus at U.S. Route 76/State Route 52/ east of Dalton in Whitfield County, the route runs north, then turns east, crossing the Conasauga River into Murray...
Adjacent counties
- Polk County, TennesseeTennesseeTennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
(northeast) - Fannin CountyFannin County, GeorgiaFannin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on January 21, 1854. As of 2000, the population was 19,798. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 22,580...
(east-northeast) - Gilmer CountyGilmer County, GeorgiaGilmer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 3, 1832 and was named for George Rockingham Gilmer. As of 2000, the population was 23,456. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 28,389...
(east) - Gordon CountyGordon County, GeorgiaGordon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 44,104. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 52,044. The county seat is Calhoun.- History :...
(south) - Whitfield CountyWhitfield County, GeorgiaWhitfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 30, 1851. The 2010 Census shows a population of 102,599. The county seat is Dalton.It is part of the Dalton, Georgia, Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Civil War:...
(west) - Bradley County, TennesseeTennesseeTennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
(northwest)
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 36,506 people, 13,286 households, and 10,256 families residing in the county. 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 41/km² (106/mi²). There were 14,320 housing units at an average density of 16/km² (42/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.30% White
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...
, 0.62% Black
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...
or African American
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...
, 0.29% Native American
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...
, 0.25% Asian
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...
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
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...
, 2.64% 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 0.88% from two or more races. 5.49% of the population were Hispanic
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...
or Latino
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...
of any race.
There were 13,286 households out of which 39.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.80% 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, 11.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.80% were non-families. 18.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.00% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 33.00% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 8.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 99.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,996, and the median income for a family was $42,155. Males had a median income of $29,812 versus $23,035 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 county was $16,230. About 9.20% of families and 12.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 19.40% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- ChatsworthChatsworth, GeorgiaChatsworth is a city in Murray County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Dalton, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,531 at the 2000 census, but was estimated around 3,890 as of the 2005 census. The city is the county seat of Murray County...
- EtonEton, GeorgiaEton is a town in Murray County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Dalton, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 319 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Eton is located at ....
- Cisco (Unincorporated)
- Tennga (Unincorporated)
- Crandall (Unincorporated)
- Spring Place (Historical Township)
- Ramhurst (Unincorporated)
- Carters (Unincorporated)
- Ball Ground (Unincorporated)
- Floodtown (Unincorporated)
- Sumac (Unincorporated)
- Fashion (Unincorporated)
See also
External links
- http://www.murraycountychamber.org/history2.htm
- http://www.ourchatsworth.com
- http://www.murraycountymuseum.com
- http://www.chatsworthtimes.com
- http://murrayga.genealogyvillage.com/ Murray County Genealogy & History