Eatonton, Georgia
Putnam County
13-26084
Eatonton is a city with 6764 inhabitants ( 2000) in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is located in Putnam County and is its administrative headquarters.
Geography
Eatonton is centrally located in Putnam County. The nearby towns are Little River, Phoenix and Shady Dale. The nearest major town, Macon, located about 62 kilometers south-west, the capital of Georgia, Atlanta, about 122 miles northwest. The city covers an area of 53.5 km ².
Population
In 2000 6764 people lived in the city, of which 47.4 % men and 52.6 % women. Compared to the 1990 census, the population has increased by 4.4%. The average age is 33.5 years. 59.3 % of residents are African American and 37.5 % White. In 1999, the average annual per capita income was $ 12,993, considerably lower than the U.S. average ( $ 21,587 ). Approximately 25.1% of the total population and 20.4 % of families are below the poverty line. Thus, the share of the poor is much higher than the national average.
History
The city was founded in 1809 and is named after William Eaton, a diplomat and a general in the American Tripolitan War, named. Before the arrival of the first Europeans was located at the same location the place Cusseta, a settlement of the Creek Indians.
, Which they nicknamed her " Dairy Capital of Georgia " owes to this day: In the 19th and early 20th century, the city mainly of cotton growing and processing, and by the dairy industry ( dairy- farming german) lived. The most important employers in today's time is the construction industry, while the milk processing continues to play a role. During the Civil War the town was used as a reception center of wounded soldiers. The city was severely damaged in 1864 by Union soldiers under the command of William T. Sherman during his march to the sea.
Public institutions
The city has one public and one private high school and a hospital that Putnam General Hospital.
Culture and sights
The historic Putnam County Courthouse was built in the years 1905/ 06 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Personalities
- Alice Walker ( born February 9, 1944 in Eatonton ), writer and political activist
- Peg Leg Howell ( born March 5, 1888 in Eatonton, † April 11, 1966 in Atlanta ), blues guitarist, singer and songwriter