Thriving Through The Centuries

Fertile land, gentle rolling hills, abundant wildlife, pleasant climate…attributes enjoyed today attracted settlers to this area in the 1820s. As “fortunate drawers” in Georgia’s land lottery of 1820, they were awarded lands which had once been favorite hunting sites for Lower Creek and Apalachee Native Americans. The adventurous pioneers began a tradition of meeting common challenges with uncommon vision and determination.

They soon developed a thriving agricultural economy, based primarily on cotton. By 1825, Thomas County had been established and in 1831 the county seat of Thomasville was incorporated. Wealthy planters built fine homes on large plantations, which were worked by slaves, while many self-sufficient yeomen worked their own smaller farms.

Immigrants from other southern states, New England, and Scotland came seeking new opportunities and helped create a flourishing community. In 1860 Thomasville boasted churches, schools, stores, hotels and the services of doctors, dentists, and lawyers. A year later the citizens of Thomas County celebrated the long-sought arrival of the first train linking the area to the port of Savannah.

Growth and prosperity were interrupted, however, when Georgia joined other Southern states in seceding from the United States of America. Fifteen-hundred Thomas County soldiers fought in the ensuing war between the North and South which continued for four long years. Although Thomas County was spared the destruction inflicted on other parts of Georgia, 500 local soldiers died from battlefield wounds or illness.

As returning veterans struggled to rebuild a devastated economy, community leaders insisted on the importance of railroad connections to the North and Midwest. The railroad line to Savannah, which had been sabotaged during the War, reopened in 1866. In 1869, completion of the railroad to Albany connected Thomasville to major population centers in the Midwest.

Wealthy Northerners and Midwesterners, enjoying the opportunities afforded by rail travel, began to seek winter retreats. Thomasville’s “dry and resinous atmosphere,” produced by its elevation and thousands of acres of surrounding pines, was promoted for its health benefits. Recognizing the need for accommodations which would attract affluent visitors, Thomas C. Mitchell, one of Thomasville’s wealthiest men, began construction in 1874 on a luxury hotel at the corner of Broad and Jackson Streets. Mitchell House was completed in 1875 at a cost exceeding $100,000—with a 10-year tax exemption.

Within 10 years, another major hotel, the Piney Woods, along with many smaller hotels and boarding houses, accommodated the winter visitors. Full and part-time residents shared a love for the area’s natural beauty and outdoor sports. Winter residents came to appreciate southern hospitality and many in the local community enjoyed socializing with the urbane visitors. During the height of this Great Resort Era—the 1880s and 1890s—Thomasville hosted approximately 15,000 seasonal residents and tourists each year.

Visitors were lavishly entertained with fine dining, balls, carriage drives, golf, horse-racing, the new sport of bicycling, and quail hunting. Many of those who returned every year built elaborate “winter cottages” in town or purchased working plantations and converted them into grand shooting plantations. Thomasville remained a premier resort until the early 1900s when new railroads and hotels lured many of the visitors to Florida. Though the golden era of tourism rapidly declined, approximately 70 plantations remained, providing jobs, conservation of thousands of acres and generous support for community improvements.

Thomas County’s 20th-century leaders welcomed innovations like the automobile and successfully campaigned to bring the Dixie Highway through town. Enterprising businessmen utilized the pine forests to make Thomas County a center for the turpentine and lumber industries while others founded businesses which they nurtured into Fortune 500 companies. The indomitable spirit of the community prevailed through World War II as city and county officials persuaded the Army to build an air base and Finney General Hospital in Thomas County. This progressive legacy continues to inspire the leaders of the 21st century. And the natural beauty and excellent wildlife habitat continue to attract renowned guests to private plantations and discriminating visitors to plantations open for tours or hunting.

Visionary leadership . . . enterprising citizens . . . and a cosmopolitan culture link the past, present and future of Thomas County.

Thomasville Notables

Henry Childs
First Thomasville resident to play for the NFL. He played for the L. A. Rams, the Atlanta Falcons, the Green Bay Packers and the New Orleans Saints. He is a member of the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame.

W. L. “Young” Stiblings, Jr (1904-1933)
“King of the Canebrakes” – native of Ochlocknee, this veteran of more than 300 fights was a contender for the Heavyweight title in 1933. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1996.

Mary Lena Faulk (1926-1995)
Three-time Georgia State Women’s Amateur Golf Champion, three-time winner Florida East Coast Championship, winner 1953 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship. She turned professional in 1955. She was inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame in 1993.

Guy McIntyre
A graduate of Thomasville High School, he played for the San Francisco 49ers for 10 seasons, earning three Super Bowl rings, and played in five Pro-Bowls and six NFL championship games.

Danny L. Copeland
Played six seasons in the NFL. He was a starting defensive back for the 1991 Washington Redskins Super Bowl Championship team.

Cal Hutchison
Winner of the 1999 Special Olympic World Games Gold medal in individual and team bowling, and won a silver medal for doubles bowling.

Lane Walthall
Tennessee Walking Horse Show Pleasure World Grand Champion in 1999 and 2000.

Charlie Ward, Jr.
A 1990 Thomas County Central High School graduate, he earned the 1993 Heisman trophy as quarterback for Florida State University, leading the Seminoles to the national title that year. Drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers and the New York Yankees to play baseball, he chose the NBA, where he was drafted by the New York Knicks. Well known for work with various charitable causes, Ward has returned to Thomasville every summer since 1997 with other local collegiate athletes to conduct the Charlie Ward Summer Basketball Camp for youth. His example of hard work, community involvement and clean living make him a positive role mode for Thomas County Youth. Ward’s Heisman Trophy is on display at the Thomas County Public Library.