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Valdosta, Georgia

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Valdosta, Georgia, USA
City
Valdosta City Hall
Valdosta City Hall
Official seal of Valdosta, Georgia, USA
Seal
Location in Lowndes County and the state of Georgia
Location in Lowndes County and the state of Georgia
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia
CountyLowndes
IncorporatedDecember 7, 1860
Government
 • MayorJohn Gayle
Area
 • City
30.3 sq mi (78.4 km2)
 • Land29.9 sq mi (77.5 km2)
 • Water0.4 sq mi (0.9 km2)
Elevation
220 ft (67 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • City
54,518
 • Density1,460.3/sq mi (563.9/km2)
 • Metro
139,588
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
31601-31606, 31698
Area code229
FIPS code13-78800Template:GR
GNIS feature ID0324649Template:GR
Websitehttp://www.valdostacity.com/

Valdosta is the county seat of Lowndes County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 Census, Valdosta has a total population of 54,518[1], and is the 14th largest city in Georgia.[2] It is the principal city of the Valdosta Metropolitan Statistical Area, which in 2010, had a population of 139,588.[3] Valdosta is the home of Valdosta State University, a regional university in the University System of Georgia with over 12,000 students, and Valdosta High School, home to the winningest football program in the United States.[4] Also located in

It is called the Azalea City as the plant grows in profusion there; the city hosts an annual Azalea Festival in March.

Moody Air Force Base is located about 9 miles north of Valdosta in northern Lowndes County.

History

Valdosta was incorporated on December 7, 1860, at which time the county government was moved from nearby Troupville.[5] Citizens of Troupville relocated when the Gulf and Atlantic Railroad was built four miles (about 6 km) away. In 1860, the engine known as Satilla Number Three pulled the first train into Valdosta on the Gulf and Atlantic Railway.

Troupville, now virtually abandoned, had been named after Governor George Troup, for whom Troup County, Georgia, was also named. Valdosta was named after Troup's estate, Val d'Osta, which itself was named after the Valle d'Aosta in Italy. The name Aosta (Latin: Augusta), refers to Emperor Augustus. Thus, Valdosta can be interpreted literally as meaning "Valley of Augustus' City". Originally, a long-standing rumor held that the city's name meant "vale of beauty."[6]

After the American Civil War, over one hundred African Americans, families of farmers, craftsmen, and laborers, emigrated from Lowndes County to Arithington, Liberia, Africa, in 1871 and 1872, looking for a better life. This was made possible with the support of the American Colonization Society. The first group, which left in 1871, was led by Jefferson Bracewell, and the second group was led by Aaron Miller.[7]

Old Lowndes County Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located in the heart of downtown Valdosta.

In November 1902, the Harris Nickel-Plate Circus' prize elephant, Gypsy, went on a rampage and killed her trainer James O'Rourke. After terrorizing the town for a couple of hours, she ran off to Cherry Creek, north of Valdosta. Gypsy was chased by Police Chief Calvin Dampier and a posse. Gypsy was killed by a shot from a Krag-Jørgensen rifle and buried on-site; James O'Rourke was buried in Sunset Hill Cemetery in Valdosta.[8][9]

The Old Lowndes County Courthouse as it appeared around the early 1900's.

The county's former courthouse was built around 1905 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In August and September 2010, the county government moved to a brand new judicial complex.[10] The History of the courthouse of Lowndes started in the 1830s and also the 7th courthouse in Lowndes County. In 1834 a new courthouse was built and named Troupville, which burned in 1858. After railroad surveyors came, the city was moved four miles for working habits to help out others. Over the years, more courthouses were built and more burned down. The structure evolved from log buildings to red-brick buildings. Sadly, after thirty years, the new and improved Lowndes County Courthouse was torn down due to another courthouse that was built a year later, which is the 7th courthouse of Lowndes County. The Lowndes County Courthouse is widely acknowledged as one of the most beautiful county courthouses in Georgia. It is a historical sight for many to visit and view. The courthouse is also useful for meeting, public display, and other attractions. Today it is used for many events, meetings and political purposes.[11]

Valdosta was once the center of long-staple cotton growing in the United States until the boll weevil finally killed the crop in 1917 and agriculture turned to tobacco and pine timber.

The Valdosta Daily Times has twice reported that the world's second Coca-Cola bottling plant was at one time located in Valdosta.[12][13]

The local economy received an important boost when Interstate 75 was routed and built through the area. Many vacationers on their way to Florida found Valdosta a convenient "last stop" on their way to Walt Disney World and the Orlando area, especially those coming from the Midwest and Ontario, Canada.[citation needed]

The First Baptist Church was built in 1899

A high school oratory contest once held in Valdosta was notable for the second place winner, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

President George W. Bush received his National Guard flight training at Valdosta's Moody Air Force Base in November 1968.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Monthly Labor Review, the first automated teller machine (ATM) was installed at C&S Bank in Valdosta.[14]

Valdosta was named one of 2003's "Top 100 U.S. Small Towns" by Site Selection magazine.[15] In 2010 Valdosta was named one of the "Best Small Places For Business And Careers" by Forbes.[16] In 1910, Fortune magazine named Valdosta the richest city in America by per capita income.[17]

Geography

Valdosta is located at 30°50′48″N 83°16′59″W / 30.84667°N 83.28306°W / 30.84667; -83.28306 (30.846661, -83.283101).Template:GR

It is located in the coastal plain of Georgia and thus has a virtually flat landscape. Valdosta lies 230 miles south of the state capital of Atlanta, and almost the same distance north of Orlando, FL. Valdosta is approximately fifteen miles north of the state's border with Florida. Highways stretch for miles with hardly a curve, rise, or fall. The sixty miles (97 km) of railway between Valdosta and Waycross were once the longest straight stretch of railroad in the world.[18]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 30.3 square miles (78 km2). 29.9 square miles (77 km2) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2) of it is water. The total area is 1.09% water.

Climate

Valdosta has a humid subtropical climate (Koppen climate classification Cfa), with mild, wet winters and hot, humid summers. Temperatures frequently go over 90 degrees, but in extreme heatwaves, temperatures occasionally go over 100 degrees. In the winter, snowfall is very rare, and normally, there is no snowfall. Snow has not hit Valdosta since February 1989. However, frosts do occur. Valdosta can experience Indian summers in the winter, where temperatures can get quite warm. Very rarely do winter lows go below 25 degrees. Rainfall is most abundant in the summer.[citation needed]

Template:Valdosta, Georgia weatherbox

Demographics

MSA

According to the Bureau of Census, the Valdosta, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had an estimated population of 135,804 and ranked #281 in the U.S. in 2009. (The MSA consisists of Lowndes, Brooks, Lanier, and Echols Counties.)

City

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860166—
18701,199622.3%
18801,51526.4%
18902,85488.4%
19005,61396.7%
19107,65636.4%
192010,78340.8%
193013,48225.0%
194015,59515.7%
195020,04628.5%
196030,65252.9%
197032,3035.4%
198037,67116.6%
199040,1356.5%
200043,7248.9%
201054,51824.7%
U.S. Census Bureau[19][20]

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2010 and estimates from 2005 to 2009, there were 54,518 people, 20,280 households, and 11,876 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,521.7 people per square mile (563.9/km²). There were 22,709 housing units available in Valdosta. The racial makeup of the city was 51.1% African American, 41.5% White, 0.3% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.0% of the population.

There were 20,280 households out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.5% were married couples living together, 19.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.4% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.93. In the city the population was spread out with 30% 19 years of age and younger, 19.3% from 20 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25.5 years. 53.1% of the population of Valdosta was female and 46.9% was male. Females 18 and over made up 54.4% of the population to 45.6% male.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,940, and the median income for a family was $39,295. Males had a median income of $33,230 versus $25,689 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,003. About 20.3% of families and 28.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.3% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over.[1][21][22]

Economy

Located in the far southern portion of the state, near the Florida line along the Interstate 75 corridor, it is a commercial center of South Georgia with numerous manufacturing plants. The surrounding area produces tobacco, naval stores, particularly turpentine, as well as pine lumber, and pulpwood. According to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Valdosta is called the "Naval Stores Capital of the World" because it supplies 80% of the world demand for naval stores.[23]

In the retailing field, Valdosta has one major regional mall, Valdosta Mall, which features national chain anchor stores like JCPenney, Sears, Office Depot, PetSmart, Belk, Old Navy, and Ross Stores. Several large stores surround the mall or are near the mall including Best Buy, Home Depot, Kohl's, Lowe's, Office Max and Target. Valdosta has other notable shopping areas such as the Historic Downtown area with many local businesses,[24] and the Five Points area which has a Big Lots, Winn-Dixie, and numerous national franchise and local restaurants.

Major highways

  • Interstate 75 (State Route 8) runs north to south through a western section of Valdosta.
  • U.S. Highway 84 (Wiregrass Georgia Parkway) is colocated with State Route 38 and runs west to east bisecting the city and is known as Hill Avenue through the city limits.
  • State Route 7 runs north to south entering the city at the Withlacoochee River being known as North Valdosta Road, it continues south on North Ashley Street. It branches into two sections at Five Points, SR 7 Business travelling south down North Ashlety Street, SR 7 Alternate travelling south down Patterson Street. At the overpass over the CSX railroad, they join together to become SR 7 Business following South Patterson Street. It joins up with U.S. Route 41 just outside the city limits.

Other Transportation

The Valdosta Regional Airport, three miles south of Valdosta, is serviced by Delta Air Lines to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Atlantic Southeast Airlines as a Delta Connection. There is also a Greyhound bus station.

Streetcar

In 1898, the Valdosta Street Railway Company secured the right to operate street cars on Patterson, Ashley, Toombs, Lee, Hill, Central, Crane and Gordon Streets. Valdosta was one of the smallest cities in America to have a street railway system. The streetcar operated in the downtown area between 1899 and 1924. The abandoned tracks were removed in the 1940s to be used as scrap metal for the war effort.[25]

Education

Lowndes County School District

The Lowndes County School District holds grades pre-school to grade twelve, that consists of seven elementary schools, three middle schools, and a high school.[26] The district has 592 full-time teachers and over 9,245 students.[27]

Valdosta City School District

The Valdosta City School District holds grades pre-school to grade twelve, that consists of five elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school.[28] The district has 447 full-time teachers and over 7,178 students.[29]

Private Education

Valwood School is an independent college preparatory school enrolling students in Pre-Kindergarten through twelfth grade.[30] Several Christian Schools offering classes K-12 also operate in and near Valdosta including Georgia Christian School, Lighthouse Christian School, Open Bible Christian School, Southland Christian School, St. John Catholic School, and Victory Christian School

West Hall at Valdosta State University

Higher Education

Valdosta is also the home of Valdosta State University[31] (VSU), founded in 1906 as South Georgia State Normal College for Women. It became part of the University System of Georgia in 1950 as Valdosta State College. Valdosta State College achieved university status and became VSU in 1993 and is one of two regional universities in Georgia. VSU has seen substantial growth in the past decade and currently has an enrollment of over 12,000 students. VSU is also the site of the Georgia Governor's Honors Program (GHP), a yearly four-week gathering of meritorious high school students in subjects ranging from standard academic subjects (i.e. math, languages, social studies, etc.) to broader intellectual enterprises (i.e. dance, theater, agricultural sciences.)

An extension of Georgia Military College[32] is in the city limits, and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College[33] is located a mile outside of the city limits off of Interstate 75.

Also located in Valdosta is Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide: Moody Campus [3] . Embry-Riddle is the #1 rated aviation and aerospace university. Embry-Riddle teaches the science, practice, and business of aviation and aerospace.

Museum

The Lowndes County Historical Society & Museum is located at the Valdosta Carnegie library building,[34] one of only 24 Carnegie Libraries in Georgia.

Sports

High school football

Valdosta has a strong high school football tradition. The Valdosta High School Wildcats have one of the most successful high school football programs in the country with 829 wins, six national championships (1962, 1969, 1971, 1984, 1986, 1992), 23 Georgia state championships between 1940 and 1998, and 41 region titles.[35]

Cross-town rival Lowndes High School have also built a strong program, winning five state titles since 1980 (including 1999, 2004, 2005 and 2007).[36] Local private school, Valwood School has won three GISA state football titles in Class A (1985, 1986, and 1999).[37]

The annual matchup between the two public high schools, Lowndes and Valdosta High, is known as the Winnersville Classic.[38] Valdosta leads the overall series 34-16 and 19-12 since 1981 when the annual match was named the Winnersville Classic.

Valdosta State University

Main article: Valdosta State Blazers

Football

Valdosta State University began fielding an NCAA Division II football program in 1982. The Blazers won their second NCAA Division II National Championship on December 15, 2007 with a victory over NW Missouri State, 25-20. Their first was in 2004 over Pittsburg State, 35-31. Their first appearance in the Division II National Championship Game was in 2002, when VSU fell to Grand Valley State, 31-24. The Blazers also have won 6 Gulf South Conference football championships (1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2010).

Two notable alumni are Jessie Tuggle, National Football League linebacker from 1987-2000 playing his entire career with the Atlanta Falcons, and Chris Hatcher, previous head coach of Valdosta State and coach of the Georgia Southern Eagles from 2007-2009. Hatcher amassed a 68-10 record with one national championship and four conference crowns during his six-year tenure at Valdosta State. David Dean, former VSU offensive coordinator, is the current football head coach.

Tennis

Valdosta State University's Men's Tennis team won the 2006 and 2011 NCAA Division II national championships.[39] The team has also appeared in the national title game in 2004, 2007, and 2010.

Valdosta State's Mens Tennis team leads the Gulf South Conference with nine conference championships (1996, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011).[40] In 2011 the men's team became the first to win five consecutive GSC Championships in tennis.[41]

Baseball

The first baseball team at Valdosta State was formed in 1954 and had its first official season of intercollegiate competition in 1955. Tommy Thomas, became coach in 1967 and served as coach until 2007. Under Thomas the blazers saw 34 winning seasons, two conference titles, three Divisional titles, eight trips to the national tournament, and a Division II national championship in 1979. Thomas is the all-time wins leader in NCAA Division II baseball with 1302 wins. Greg Guilliams became VSU's head baseball coach in 2008 and won a Gulf South Conference East Division title in his first year and led Valdosta State to its first postseason appearance in seven years.[42]

In 1915 the Newark Peppers of the now defunct Federal League held spring training in valdosta.[43]

Minor League Baseball

Valdosta hosted several different minor league baseball teams during the twentieth century, and was one of six cities in the Georgia State League which began play in 1906, with the team known as the Valdosta Stars.[44][45] From 1946-1958, the Valdosta Tigers were a "Class-D" minor league team. Valdosta was also home to the Valdosta Trojans which was a “farm” team for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

ESPN's Titletown, USA

TitleTown USA was a month-long segment on ESPN that started in the Spring of 2008 and continued through July. Fans nominated towns and cities across the country based on their championship pedigree. A panel reviewed the nominees and fan voting in May determined the 20th finalist. SportsCenter visited each city in July, and fan voting July 23–27 determined the winner.

Due to the Valdosta High School football team's record as well as multiple championships in many sports by Valdosta State University, Lowndes High School, Valwood School, Georgia Christian School, and other academic institutions in the town, Valdosta was nominated as a finalist in 2008 for ESPN's "Titletown USA" contest. On July 28, 2008, with 29.2% of fan votes on ESPN's website poll, Valdosta was named TitleTown USA.[4]

Media

Newspaper

Radio

AM:

  • WJEM 1150 AM; 5 kW Gospel
  • WVLD 1450 AM; 1 kW Sports Radio
  • WGOV 950 AM; 4 kW Adult Urban Contemporary
  • WFVR 910 AM; 50 kW

FM:

  • WDDQ TALK 92.1 FM Talk radio
  • WAY 88.1 FM Christian Contemporary
  • WVVS 90.9 FM VSU station
  • WWET 91.7 FM
  • WAAC 92.9 FM Country
  • WJYF 95.3 FM Christian Contemporary
  • WQPW 95.7 FM Adult Contemporary
  • WJEM 96.1 (repeater of 1150 AM)
  • WGOV-FM 96.7 FM Urban
  • WAFT 101.1 FM Christian
  • WXHT 102.7 FM Pop Hits (Broadcast from Valdosta but licensed to Madison, FL)
  • WSTI 105.3 FM Classic Soul and R&B (Broadcast from Valdosta but licensed to Quitman, GA)
  • WWRQ 107.9 FM Rock

Notable residents and natives

Valdosta in fiction

References

2
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