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Welcome to Southwest GA
Southwest, Georgia
Southwest Georgia Southwest, GA
Your complete guide to the merchants,
activities & services of
Southwest, Georgia
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Early County, Georgia
| County Formed |
December 15, 1818 |
| County
Seat |
Blakely |
| Incorporated Cities |
Blakely, Damascus and Jakin
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| Total
Area |
511.3 square miles |
| History |
Early County was created from land
obtained from the Creek Indians. The counties of Calhoun, Clay, Decatur,
Dougherty, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, and Seminole were all created from
territory originally belonging to Early County.
Georgia's 41st county was named
for Peter Early, Governor of Georgia from 1813 to 1815, Superior Court Judge,
and member of Congress. Blakely, the county seat, was named for Captain Johnson
Blakely, a North Carolinian lost at sea during the War of 1812
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| Points
of Interest |
Kolomoki Mounds State Park,
located in the north central part of Early County, contains a row of mounds of
Native American origin dating to around the year 800. One mound believed to
have been a temple base is the largest in the United States. The museum
interprets seven mounds built during the 12th and 13th centuries by Swift Creek
and Weeden Island Indians. The park also features a beautiful lake for canoeing
and swimming, primitive and RV camping, and a nature trails for hiking and bird
watching.
The southernmost covered bridge in
the United States, Coheelee Creek Bridge, is located in the western part of the
county. Built for $490 in 1891, the bridge stretches 96 feet across the
Coheelee Creek. The bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic
Places in 1976 and completely restored in 1984. The area surrounding the bridge
is now operated as a historic park, offering creekside trails with native
plants and picnic facilities.
As with many counties in Southwest
Georgia, peanut farming is a vital component of Early County's economy. Early
County is the largest peanut quota holding county in the nation. In recognition
of this crop's importance, a statue of a peanut was erected on the square in
Blakely in 1954.
Erected in 1861, the only known
Confederate Flag Pole is the last remaining wooden Confederate flag pole
standing. Located on the northside grounds of the Early County Courthouse in
downtown Blakely. This historic landmark is the only one of its kind in the
Southeastern area.
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| Annual
Events |
The Kolomoki Festival is an annual
event held the second Saturday in October at Kolomoki State Park. The festival
highlights primitive and pioneer skill demonstrations, arts and crafts, food
and entertainment at the local amphitheater.
Holidays on the Square is held the
first Saturday in December in downtown Blakely around the Courthouse Square.
Arts and crafts, a parade, an antique car show, food and entertainment are
featured at this event.
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Cities and Towns In Early County
(County Seat)
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