The Cities of Liberty County, GA
When you think about government, local city government is not what normally comes to mind. However, the decisions made by local governments have the most direct and impactful effect on your daily life. To keep an open dialog between local governments and their citizens, the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) created a statewide initiative called Georgia Cities Week. This GMA sponsored project is part of an ongoing effort to increase public awareness about the services their cities perform & to give the public a behind-the-scenes look into how city government works. This year, Georgia Cities Week takes place from April 21st – 27th, and cities are encouraged to dedicate this week to educating and informing their citizens about what they do.
The purpose further explained
For 25 years, Georgia Cities Week has served as a beneficial opportunity to celebrate the achievements made by local municipalities. Many local governments use this week to:
- Share information about the services they provide to residents, including an inside look into city operations.
- Inform the public on changes that will positively impact their quality of life. This can range from changes to mileage rates to new employment opportunities coming to the area.
- Highlight successful community projects & infrastructure enhancements. This is important as this keeps citizens well-informed on new and upcoming economic development.
Events happening that week
Currently, all events for Georgia Cities Week in Liberty County are happening on April 27th, but be sure to follow our community calendar for the most up-to-date event information.
Saturday, April 27th
- The City of Flemington will be partnering with Keep Liberty Beautiful to host a Kentucky Derby-themed citywide cleanup. The festivities will begin at 9am at Flemington City Hall, located at 156 Old Sunbury Road!
- The City of Walthourville will host their 2nd Annual Food Truck Festival at Hillary Park, located at 1101 Carter Road, Walthourville. The event will take place from 11am – 5pm, so be sure to stop by for some delicious food!
- The City of Midway will be hosting its annual Midway Day Festival from 11am- 3pm. Join in on the festivities at the Cay Creek Wetland Interpretive Center, 189 Charlie Butler Road, Midway! They’ll have lots of food, music & games!
The 7 Cities of Liberty County
Walthourville
Located on the western end of our county, you will find a quaint town filled with some of the friendliest people around, and you will also find a historical marker that reads, “organized by women, supported by men.” Walthourville is a city of many firsts including some of the first female leaders in the whole state! In 1974, Governor Jimmy Carter appointed a mayor and council for the newly incorporated city, and he appointed all women! Lyndol Anderson was sworn into the office of mayor on April 10, 1974, with her councilwomen Faye Booth, Maxine Gaskin, Carrie Kent, Ardith Herbert, Celia Davis and the city clerk Molene Burke.
Riceboro
Riceboro is the oldest existing town in Liberty County, and something you may not know about the small beautiful town is that they were once served as the seat of Liberty County. These days the town is primarily known for its events such as Ricefest which is a week-long celebration of Geechee Culture and the rich history of the area. To learn more about the city and learn about their upcoming events then be sure to click here.
Midway
Photo Credit: Tammy Lee Bradley
Located on the east side of the county is the city of Midway. Early residents of this community came from Dorchester, South Carolina. Midway has several claims to fame, one of which is being home to Lyman Hall: one of only three signers of the Declaration of Independence from Georgia. For a closer look into the history of the city, be sure to visit the Midway Museum.
Gum Branch/Gumbranch
The Gum Branch/ Gumbranch community was established on the western side of the county in the 1800s by settlers looking to farm. The rich land proved to be great for farming, and, after Hinesville became the county seat, the town became the primary provider of food and other farm goods for the area. Presently the city is smaller than its original size due to a portion of its land being used to create a portion of Long County.
Flemington
The city of Flemington was originally founded as a summer home for several prominent members of the Midway Church. Over the years, the then-budding town became important to the lumber industry due to the abundance of pine trees. Presently, the city still has several historic homes from its early settlement that you see while taking a self-guided driving tour. For a sneak peek at some of these sites, click here.
Hinesville
In 1837, the new county seat was named Hinesville in honor of Charles Hines. Besides being the current county seat, Hinesville has so much to offer! You can visit the old Liberty County Jail, enjoy shopping at one of the many boutiques, eat some amazing food or visit Bradwell Park, located in the heart of downtown Hinesville.
Allenhurst
After Hinesville became the county seat, there was a large shift of people from the coastal eastern areas of the county to the western parts. Allenhurst was one of the cities that would later benefit from this shift. In 1909, Ernest Dunlevie purchased land in and moved from New York to Allenhurst and started a lumber mill. Through hard work and a clear vision, the Dunlevie Lumber Company quickly became the second-largest mill in the southeast. Between the lumber mill, railroad and the addition of a depot Allenhurst became a booming and thriving town.
As you can see, Liberty County is full of rich history and many cities. We encourage everyone to be more involved in this community we all love so much. Be sure to take this week to learn more about your community and celebrate its growth.
