Celebrating 250 Years of America | | 2026 is the year America celebrates it's 250th birthday, and living in one of its original colonies, we are particularly looking forward to the festivities! We have some exciting projects in the works that we'll be sharing soon, but in the meantime we thought it appropriate to reflect on our own county's origins and history and how that fits into the bigger picture of the growth of Georgia and the nation as a whole. | | |
In 1821 the Georgia legislature formed Monroe County out of territory the state had recently acquired in the dubious Treaty of Indian Springs. Two years later, in 1823, the state incorporated the city of Forsyth.
Attracted by the prospect of fertile farmland, settlers poured into the county. By 1830, there were 16,202 persons here, about half of them slaves. Thirty years later, the total population had declined slightly, but two-thirds of that population was enslaved.
In the main, white residents of the county supported the Confederate government during the American Civil War. Beginning with the militia group, the Quitman Guard, men from the county joined the Monroe Volunteers, the Monroe Crowders and other companies and fought throughout the war. On the home front, farmers provided foodstuffs for the army; a factory in Forsyth produced shoes; a local distiller distilled whiskey; and the state Confederate tax collector established his headquarters in Forsyth. In addition, the Army of Tennessee set up mobile hospitals which were in operation here, especially in 1864.
Military action, however, did not reach the county until the last year of the war. There was a slight skirmish on the Towaliga River with Sherman's right wing during his March to the Sea. Little Joe Wheeler's men in destroying the milling operations at High Falls did far greater damage than the Federal forces in the county. At the end of the war, Wilson's Raiders swept through the lower end of the county with an encounter with the Worrill Grays at Culloden.
In 1838, the Monroe Railroad and Banking Company completed the rail line between Macon and Forsyth; in the 1840s its successor company, the Macon and Western, expanded the line to Atlanta. Rail connections facilitated the transportation of cotton from Monroe County to national and international markets. William M. Wadley, president of the Central Railroad, effectively managed this company in the post war period while maintaining his home on the plantation, Great Hill Place, in Bolingbroke.
Reconstruction involved adjustment of agricultural operations and racial attitudes. George Clower, a former slave, briefly represented the county in the state legislature, while the Federal Congress declined to seat E. G. Cabaness of Forsyth who had been elected to the House. Jim Crow laws, which established rigid racial segregation, became a harsh legal reality at the end of the century. Probably to provide for segregated waiting rooms, the Central of Georgia Railroad constructed a new brick depot in Forsyth in the 1890s.
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Various educational institutions have existed in Monroe county. In 1839 the Southern Botanico Medical College opened its doors and operated here until 1846, when it moved to Macon. The Monroe Female College, chartered in 1849, later Tift College, functioned for 138 years before the trustees of the college authorized a merger with Mercer University, in effect closing it. Culloden in the ante bellum period gained a reputation for its schools, especially those associated with John Darby, the Massachusetts-born scientist and educator. Jackson Academy functioned during the post-war period as a school in Forsyth for black students and in 1902, William E. Hubbard taught a few students at Kynette Methodist Church. That small school grew into the State Teachers and Agricultural College, which functioned until the Board of Regents shuttered it in 1939. The Monroe County Board of Education established Mary Persons High School in 1930 and in the late 20th century, it became a football power-house under the legendary Coach Dan Pitts.
The 20th century witnessed a decline in cotton production from 25,629 bales in 1900 to 550 bales in 1959. The greatest drop occurred in the 1920s with the arrival of the boll weevil. The availability of inexpensive labor, exploited for agricultural production, diminished, especially with the Great Migration's beginning in the late 1920s. The county's rural economy came to focus less on row crops and more on timber and dairy farming.
Forsyth did develop at the turn of the 20th century some textile industries with Trio and Ensign mills, but by the end of the century, these enterprises had ceased or dramatically reduced their operations. Forsyth was established as Georgia's Public Safety Capital with the installation of the Georgia Public Safety Training Center and Offices South of the Department of Corrections where thousands come to train annually. The film industry arrived in the 1970's and several television shows and movies have been filmed in Monroe County, 1991 brought the iconic movie release of Fried Green Tomatoes, and more recent blockbusters like Baby Driver (2017) and First Man (2018) too.
After reaching a record low of 11,606 residents in 1930, the population of the county began to increase, especially after 1990, with the settlement of persons, many from Bibb County, in the southern sections of Monroe County. According to the 2020 census, the population of Forsyth was 4,384 and Monroe County was 27,957.
Story Credit: Ralph Bass, Monroe County Historical Society
Map Credit: Georgia Archives and The GAGenWeb Project Team on RootsWeb
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| | 2026 is shaping up to be a big year for Forsyth with major commercial projects, new businesses, and business expansions. We have featured a few projects in the works for this issue, with more features and updates in the coming months. To kick things off ... | | | | |
Treats with Lenise Eatery & Bakery
2026 is going to be a year of growth and expansion!
Lenise Leknes, owner of Treats With Lenise, is excited about the growth of her business. What started as a small cottage bakery has transformed into a thriving brick and mortar bakery and event space. Her next step is moving into 33 W. Johnston St., most recently known as The Pickled Okra. They have big plans to create a community hub centered around food and fellowship.
"We are looking forward to expanding how we serve this community. A new, bigger location was the logical next step!" explained Lenise.
For now, you can visit Treats With Lenise at 53 N. Lee St. Stay tuned to our newsletter for updates!
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Forsyth Ship & Print Co.
Looking for a local solution to your shipping needs? Mike and Kimber Cole, owners of Forsyth Ship & Print Co. are ready to help! In 2024 they saw a need for a one-stop print and ship business for Forsyth. Future plans include computers, passport photos, digital fingerprinting, and virtual and physical mailboxes. "We want to be a service to the community." Mike said. "As veterans (Air Force) we both know what it is to serve and we truly enjoy it."
Head down to Forsyth Ship & Print Co. at 438-B Cabiness Rd. on Monday, January 19th for their grand opening and let Mike and Kimber get you started!
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Storage Master @ Forsyth
Jennifer Hulett is the General Manager at Storage Master @ Forsyth, a new self-storage facility opening between Volume Chevrolet and the coming soon Fairfield Inn on N. Lee St. Storage Master @ Forsyth marks the company’s third location in Middle Georgia. Monroe County residents and owners, Clint and Tom Ward, have been serving Middle Georgia’s storage needs since 1996. The company is very excited for this new chapter in Forsyth.
"We have climate-controlled units, outdoor drive-up units, and even spots for long term parking for RVs or boats. Whatever your storage needs, we can help!" Jennifer said.
Construction is wrapping up and plans are to open in mid-February! 478-733-9501
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Fast Track
I -75 exit 188 just got a much needed addition!
It’s a new Fast Track convenience store with a Shell gas and diesel station, at the crossroads of Ga Hwy 42 and I-75.
Fast Track is conveniently located near hotels, GPSTC, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the Monroe County Recreation Department, and the Georgia Forestry Association HDQ.
Short on time? You can grab a sandwich, fried chicken, pizza, wings, a drink —whatever you are craving around the clock. There is more to look forward to. Store owner, Dipak Patel told us they have Firehouse Subs coming very soon ... and we will be back to give them a try!
985 Ga Hwy 42, Forsyth
| | Beginner-Friendly Wellness Events in Monroe County | | |
This is where your wellness comeback starts!
Did you know that Forsyth offers a wide variety of beginner friendly wellness events and experiences? Here are a few to get you started!
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Yoga Pilates Barre Forsyth
36 E. Johnston St.
(470) 222-5015
Yoga Pilates Barre owner Grace Barron writes: "At Yoga, Pilates, and Barre, classes are intentionally designed to welcome beginners while still supporting long-term growth. Small class sizes allow for personalized attention and alignment support, helping beginners build confidence from day one.
We emphasize low-impact, joint-friendly movement and focus on proper form, breath, and body awareness. Every class is taught with the understanding that everyone starts somewhere—no prior experience, flexibility, or fitness level is required. Our goal is to create a supportive, judgment-free environment where beginners feel comfortable learning, progressing, and enjoying the process of movement."
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High Falls State Park
76 High Falls Park Dr. Jackson, GA 30233
(478) 993-3053
Let’s stretch into the new year! High Falls State Park continues their Mindful Moment series with yoga classes led by the Assistant Naturalist, Brandi Johnson. All classes are beginner friendly. For more information or to register call the Park Office.
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OKS Martial Arts & Fitness
20 E. Johnston St.
(478) 994-0160
Have you thought about martial arts as a place to begin your wellness journey? Sensei Michael Brewster at OKS Martial Arts & Fitness can put you on the path to mental and physical discipline. They offer Martial Arts classes for varying skill levels and personal training. Give them a call and see if this is the right fit for you!
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FitCo Health Club
833 Patrol Rd.
(478) 993-2202
Looking for a great place to work out while visiting Forsyth? Fitness loving family coming to town? FitCo Health Club offers guest passes and short term memberships. GM Morgan gave us a tour of the recently revamped gym and wow was it impressive! With all new equipment and a recovery center (with saunas!) there’s something for everyone. And before you leave make sure to ask Morgan and Victoria what the B.A.R. Room stands for...
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Legacy Dance Studio
57 N. Jackson St. Suite 101
(478) 508-7383
At Legacy Dance Studio, Valerie Quakenbush is offering drop-in adult dance classes, aimed at beginners. So if you’re looking for a new way to move this year, dance your way over and try it out!
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History is in the Details: "Look Up!"
By: Ralph Bass, local historian
When thinking in this new year of new and better ways to do old things, take inspiration from the architects who designed the ceiling of the Monroe County Courthouse.
The ceiling was an obvious necessity, but the architectural firm of Bruce and Morgan wanted more than a common one. They wanted one that would reflect the prosperity (probably more imagined than real) of the county in the 1890s and the seriousness of the room where judges and juries dispensed justice–but one that would keep within the financial guidelines of the building committee.
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An elaborate plaster ceiling was out of the question.
There was, however, an innovation in ceiling design in the 1890s that was gaining popularity: the "tin" ceiling. Metal tiles–not always made of tin–could be stamped with intricate designs for easy installation. Manufacturers provided moldings for a finished look. [Those used in the courthouse well may have been light gauge steel sheet metal.] These metal tiles also had the advantage of lasting longer and being easier to clean than plaster.
Bruce and Morgan embraced this innovation and used it with consummate skill in the Monroe County Courthouse. Unlike many metal tiles that were painted a basic white, those in the courtroom are colored with bronze and burnt orange being the dominant colors.
While Bruce and Morgan designed at least a dozen courthouses in the South, the courtroom in Monroe County is the only one in which they employed–and here very successfully– metal tile technology.
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Introducing our New Director of Marketing!
Starting Tuesday, January 20, the Visit Forsyth GA team (aka the Forsyth Convention & Visitors Bureau) will have a new face to greet you when you visit our Welcome Center — Nicole Newsom, our new Director of Marketing!
Nicole has over a decade of experience in the tourism industry, including eight years with our design agency, Accent Creative Group, where she was the Director of Strategy. ACG specializes in government communications and tourism marketing, so in her tenure there, she has worked with numerous communities all over the state of Georgia and even some in North Carolina. Her background includes managing projects in brand strategy and research, campaign development, social media, custom publishing, and more. She is a graduate of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Marketing College, earning a Travel Marketing Professional (TMP) designation, and also earned a degree from the University of South Carolina in International Business and Marketing, with a minor in Anthropology.
| Nicole is no stranger to Forsyth. Not only has she worked closely with our team on projects with ACG for the past several years, but her family is also directly descended from some of the "OG" Monroe County settlers, the Sutton, Ponder, and Bridges families. Her great-grandfather, Morgan Bridges, was the telegraph operator at the depot in Juliette, and started the family farm, which has been passed down through her family to the current generation after over 100 years. Nicole grew up visiting the farm every summer and school holiday, and has fond memories of her grandfather teaching her to drive in the fields (first with tractors, then with the old Ford truck, as early as the age of 9!), fishing in the pond, eating wild muscadines and figs from the vines, and gardening with her grandmother, a Tift graduate, Annelle Bridges Newsom. She is looking forward to returning to her Forsyth roots and sharing the magic of our community with the world...and maybe brushing up on her archery skills in her free time! | |
It's A Gilmore Girls Day in Forsyth!
Have you ever dreamt of stepping inside Stars Hollow? Experience the magic of the Gilmore Girls by exploring the small-town charm of Forsyth! Start your day by grabbing your "coffee, coffee, coffee!" from Queen Bee Coffee Co. and have a Rory moment at Dog Eared Books, located inside the coffee shop!
When you are ready, head on over to Sol Tacos & Tequila to fuel up for an Emily Gilmore shopping spree at Hometown Boutique and Miki Leigh Jewelry.
Then, catch a performance from The Backlot Players at The Rose Theater that would make even Miss Patty proud!
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Angel Biscuits
Lynn Johnson, owner of Burty’s Boutique in downtown Forsyth, has fond memories of her great-grandmother Ethel Brown (of McCormick, South Carolina) and her biscuits. Lucky for us, she is willing to share the recipe!
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Ingredients
5 cups of self-rising flour
⅓ cup of sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup of Crisco
2 cups of room temperature buttermilk
2 packages of rapid-rise dry yeast
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Instructions
- Mix both packages of dry yeast with ½ cup of warm water and set aside to bloom.
- Sift the flour, sugar and baking soda together in a bowl.
- Add remaining ingredients to the bowl and mix to form the mixture into a ball. If the dough is too sticky, just add more flour.
- Sprinkle some flour on the counter and roll out the dough.
- Cut biscuits with a small cutter.
- Spray a cookie sheet with PAM cooking spray and place biscuits on the sheet. Cover with a towel and let rise for an hour.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Bake biscuits until golden brown, around 15-20 minutes.
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Save the Date: Forsythia Festival
Kick off the beautiful spring season with one of the most exciting events of the year: The Forsythia Festival. This free, family-friendly event takes place March 14th-15th, 2026 in downtown Forsyth. Activities include: a two-day arts and crafts show, food vendors, local restaurant special hours, 5K run, live entertainment and more! Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.
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See the WWII Exhibit Before It's Gone
The Monroe County History Museum's WWII exhibit will be changing soon. There are only a few short weeks left to experience the epic and global scale of the war that changed the world, in a voice that is intimate and personal. The exhibit highlights the role of everyday men and women who found the strength and courage to accomplish the extraordinary, and its impact on Monroe County, in the scope of world events.
Admission is free.
Group/family tours available by appointment: 478.994.5070 or email monroecogahistory@gmail.com
| | MCHS volunteer Sloan Oliver giving a tour of the World War II exhibit. | | | | |
From the Blog: A Look Ahead With Dean Nelson
In this special story, Community Development Director Dean Nelson shares how his role works to help the city of Forsyth, along with some exciting future developments, set up for success! Click the link to read the full story:
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Friendship of the Traveling Cup
Where oh where have the Forsyth mugs gone?
Vancouver Island, British Columbia!
"The Friendship of the Traveling Cup" took a ferry ride to lovely Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
Chemainus is a picturesque town famous for the murals painted on many buildings. Founded in 1858, it was a logging settlement with the Chemainus Sawmill operating continuously from 1863 until it closed in 1983.
One of the last remaining sawmills in Monroe County, Southern Forest Industries, closed in December 2025.
Suey and Peter Stephen have been traveling across the country with their favorite mugs from Visit Forsyth GA. Follow along as they send us updates from their journeys!
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| | Welcome Center Closed 1/19 | The Welcome Center and Forsyth Convention & Visitors Bureau office will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2026, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will reopen on Tuesday with our normal hours of operation. | On The Calendar Highlights | | | | |
The Tift Legacy Exhibit Presents: Bruce Green Talks Tift Family
The Tift Legacy Exhibit will be hosting its first Tift Girls Speak event of 2026, hosted by Bruce Green. Bruce Green arrived in Tifton in 1986 to serve as the city’s first Main Street Manager and began an active program of restoring and reinvigorating downtown Tifton. During those years, he became close friends with a number of the Tift family descendants and learned about their rich family history. Join us at the Conley Building on Saturday, January 24th, at 12 PM to hear Bruce’s stories!
Click Here for More Information
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The Monroe County Historical Society Presents: The Battle of Kettle Creek
Join the Monroe County Historical Society at the Conley Building on Monday, February 2nd, at 7 PM for a program led by Chuck Garnett. Mr. Garnett is the President of the Kettle Creek Battlefield Association, and his talk will feature stories of the Revolutionary War Battle of Kettle Creek, along with tales of how the Revolutionary War shaped Monroe County.
| | | | | To make sure you have all the information you need to plan a memorable visit to Forsyth, we gladly provide plenty of resources, guides and tools to help you along the way. | | | | |
