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Macon, Georgia

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For other uses, see Macon (disambiguation).
City of Macon
City
Downtown Macon skyline from southwest
Downtown Macon skyline from southwest
Nickname(s): 
Mac-Town, The Heart of Georgia, M.A.C., The MAC, The 478, The Seed of The Peach State, MAC-Ville U.S.A., Middle & or Central Georgia
Location in Bibb county in the state of Georgia
Location in Bibb county in the state of Georgia
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia
CountiesBibb
Government
 • MayorRobert Reichert (D)
Area
 • City
56.3 sq mi (145.7 km2)
 • Land55.8 sq mi (144.5 km2)
 • Water0.5 sq mi (3.2 km2)
Elevation
381 ft (116 m)
Population
 (2006)
93,665
 • Density1,742.8/sq mi (672.9/km2)
 • Urban
379,669
 • Metro
386,534
 • Demonym
Maconites
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
31200-31299
Area code478
FIPS code13-49000Template:GR
GNIS feature ID0332301Template:GR
Websitehttp://www.cityofmacon.net/

Macon is a city located in central Georgia, USA. It is among the largest metropolitan areas in Georgia, and the county seat of Bibb County. It lies near the geographic center of Georgia, approximately 85 miles (136 km) south of Atlanta, hence the city's nickname as the Heart of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, Macon had a population of 97,606;[1] as of 2007, the Macon, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area had an estimated population of 229,846 and the Macon-Warner Robins-Fort Valley Combined Statistical Area had an estimated population of 386,534.[2] Macon is the sixth-largest city (by population), fifth largest Metropolitan Statistical Area, and third-largest Combined Statistical Area in Georgia, behind Atlanta and Augusta. Macon-Warner Robins-Fort Valley, GA Combined Statistical Area (CSA) includes 13 Georgia counties.

Robins Air Force Base, a major employer, is south of the city in Warner Robins. The area is also home to several institutions of higher education, as well as numerous museums and tourism sites. The area is served by the Middle Georgia Regional Airport and the Herbert Smart Downtown Airport. The current mayor of Macon is Robert Reichert, a former Democratic member of the Georgia House of Representatives. Perhaps its most colorful mayor with national recognition was Ronnie Thompson, who served from 1967-1975 and was the first of thus far two Republicans to have held the position, the other being George Israel (1979-1987).

History

File:Macon.JPG
Governor Brown calls for militia as Sherman closes in, July 1864
File:180px-NC-Congress-NathanielMacon.jpg
Nathaniel Macon

Macon lies on the site of the Ocmulgee Old Fields, which were home to Creek Indians and their predecessors for as long as 12,000 years before Europeans arrived. The fields and forests around Macon and what is now the Ocmulgee National Monument were cultivated by the Creeks, who built temple and funeral mounds that survive today.

Prior to its establishment as a city, Macon was the site of Fort Benjamin Hawkins. After the Creeks ceded their lands east of the Ocmulgee River, President Thomas Jefferson ordered the fort built in 1806 on the fall line of the Ocmulgee River to protect the new frontier, as it was a major military distribution point during the War of 1812 and the Creek War of 1813. Afterwards, the fort became a trading post for a few more years before it fell to disuse. A replica of the fort, however, stands today on a hill in east Macon. By this time, many settlers had already begun to move into the area and later renamed Fort Hawkins “Newtown.” After the establishment of Bibb County in 1822, the city was chartered as the county seat in 1823 and officially named Macon, in honor of North Carolina statesman Nathaniel Macon because many of the city's early settlers hailed from North Carolina. The city planners of Macon envisioned "a city within a park" and went about creating a city of spacious streets and parks. They also designated 250 acres (1 km²) for Central City Park and citizens were required by ordinances to plant shade trees in their front yards.

The city thrived due to its location on the Ocmulgee River and cotton became the mainstay of Macon's early economy. Cotton boats, stage coaches, and later, in 1843, a railroad all brought economic prosperity to Macon. In 1836, Wesleyan College, one of the oldest women's colleges in the world, was founded in Macon. In 1855 a referendum was held to determine a capital city for Georgia. Macon came in last with 3,802 votes[1].

During the American Civil War, Macon served as the official arsenal of the Confederacy and Macon City Hall, which would serve as the temporary state capitol in 1864, was converted to use as a hospital for the wounded. However, Macon was spared by General William Tecumseh Sherman on his march to the sea. The nearby state capital of Milledgeville had been sacked and Maconites prepared for an attack. But General Sherman feared that Confederate forces were preparing a unified attack of their own and therefore bypassed Macon. Throughout the era of Reconstruction and into the twentieth century, Macon grew into a prospering town in Middle Georgia, and began to serve as a transportation hub for the entire state.

In 1994 Tropical Storm Alberto made landfall in Florida dumping 24" inches of rain resulting in major flooding in Georgia. Macon was one of the worst flooded cities,[citation needed]

Macon was famous for being the home of the murderess Anjette Lyles,[3] as well as alleged axe murderer Thomas Woolfolk.[4]

File:86952408 5e714959be b.jpg
Downtown Macon in the early 1900's

Geography

File:Reloc01-map.gif
The Metro Macon area

Macon is one of Georgia's three Fall Line Cities, along with Augusta and Columbus. The Fall Line is where the hilly lands of the Piedmont plateau meet the flat terrain of the coastal plain. As such, Macon has a varied landscape of rolling hills on the north side and flat plains on the south. The fall line causes rivers in the area to decline rapidly towards sea level, making it an ideal location for textile mills in the past. The Ocmulgee River is the major river that runs through Macon.

The Macon metropolitan area spans 13 counties including Bibb County, Twiggs County, Jones County, Houston County, Peach County, Dooly County, Pulaski County, Bleckley County, Wilkinson County, Laurens County, Dodge County, Crawford County, and Monroe County.

Macon is located at 32°50′5″N 83°39′6″W / 32.83472°N 83.65167°W / 32.83472; -83.65167Invalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (32.834839, -83.651672).Template:GR

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 56.3 square miles (145.7 km²), of which, 55.8 square miles (144.5 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.2 km²) of it (0.82%) is water.

Macon is approximately 381 feet (116 m) above sea level.Template:GR

Climate

Macon has a humid, subtropical temperature. The summer often reaches its high in the mid-90s, and the winters have lows in the mid-40s. The city has an average annual precipitation of 45 inches (1,100 mm). Macon is often considered a dividing line or "natural snowline" of the southeastern United States with areas north of the city receiving snowfall annually, while areas to the south typically not receiving snowfall every year or at all.

Climate data for Macon, Georgia
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Source: USTravelWeather.com[5]

Surrounding cities and towns

Main Article: Macon Metropolitan Area

Downtown Macon skyline from north at night.

Demographics

The Macon-Bibb County Court House

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 97,255 people, 38,444 households, and 24,219 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,742.8 people per square mile (672.9/km²). There were 44,341 housing units at an average density of 794.6/sq mi (306.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 62.45% African American, 35.46% White, 0.19% Native American, 0.65 Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.20% of the population.

There were 38,444 households out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.0% were married couples living together, 25.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 79.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.8 males.

Economy

Personal income

The median income for a household in the city was $27,405, and the median income for a family was $33,699. Males had a median income of $29,950 versus $22,865 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,082. About 21.6% of families and 25.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.7% of those under age 18 and 16.0% of those age 65 or over.


Cultural

Musical heritage

A statue of Otis Redding

Macon natives have had a great influence upon music of the United States. The kazoo was invented in the city during the 1840s. Macon has been the birthplace or hometown to such musicians as The Allman Brothers Band, Randy Crawford, Mark Heard, Lucille Hegamin, Lena Horne, Otis Redding, Little Richard, and Mike Mills and Bill Berry of R.E.M. as well as more recent names like violinist Robert McDuffie, hip hop producer and songwriter Joey Cutless ,rapper Young Jeezy, and country artist Jason Aldean. Rapper Jody Breeze (1/4 of the hip-hop group Boyz N Da Hood, currently signed to P. Diddy's Bad Boy Entertainment) was discovered in Macon at a car show. Capricorn Records, run by Macon native Phil Walden, made the city a hub for Southern rock music in the late 1960's and 1970's.[citation needed]

Partly as a result of this musical heritage, Macon became the home of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.[6] Musicians from around the state are enshrined at the hall for their contributions, and the building features a museum showcasing Georgia's music history.

In 2007 the city hosted the Macon Symphony Orchestra,[7] which performed at the Grand Opera House in downtown Macon, as well as a youth symphony, the Middle Georgia Concert Band,[8] and other groups, some associated with the local universities.[citation needed]

Festivals

Cherry Blossom Festival
Georgia State Fair
  • International Cherry Blossom Festival - Macon has referred to itself as the "Cherry Blossom Capital of the World." It had over 300,000 yoshino cherry trees,more than any other city in the world.[citation needed] During mid-March of every year, the height of the trees' bloom, Macon has held a 10-day celebration of concerts, food festivals, arts and crafts shows, parades, street markets, picnics, dances, and exhibitions of artists from around the world. The city became bathed in pink, the symbolizing color of this event, reflecting the color of the blossoms. The festival has been Macon's largest and best-known event. In 2007, it was among the top 20 events in the South, top 50 in the United States, and one of the top 100 in North America. [citation needed]
  • First Night Macon - First Night Macon has been a family-oriented arts festival held in Macon on New Year's Eve. It has featured concerts, dances, art shows, and theatrical performances at different venues and galleries around the downtown area, and a grand finale of fireworks at midnight.
  • Pan African Festival - Macon has a African American cultural heritage. In April, Macon has held the Pan-African Festival featuring parades, African and Caribbean musical performances, African dancing, films, food festival, cultural shows, and exhibitions.
  • Ocmulgee Indian Celebration - A celebration of Macon's original Native American Heritage, this festival has been held every September at Ocmulgee National Monument. Representatives from diverse backgrounds of Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, Seminole, and other nations have come to share stories, exhibit native art, perform dances, and play live music.
  • The Georgia State Fair - The Fair has been held in Central City Park every year starting in late September.
  • The Georgia Music Hall of Fame has hosted Georgia Music Week in September. During the museum's free Brown Bag Boogie concert series, artists from across the state have performed outdoors at noon. Festivities have also included the annual Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards held in Atlanta.
  • Macon's annual Bragg Jam festival features an Art and Kids' Festival along the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail and a nighttime Pub Crawl featuring local and national musical acts. The event has paid tribute to the lives of musicians Brax and Taylor Bragg, two brothers who were killed in an automobile accident. Proceeds have benefited the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail

Museums and monuments

File:1011827 l.jpg
Fort Hawkins
Macon City Auditorium
Cox Capitol Theater
  • Hay House - also known as the "Johnston-Felton-Hay House", it has been referred to as the "Palace of the South"
  • City Hall, Georgia's capitol for part of the Civil War
  • The Macon Terminal Station
  • Ocmulgee Heritage Trail - a greenway of parks, plazas, and landmarks along the Ocmulgee River in downtown Macon

Media

Newspapers

The (Macon) Telegraph

The Telegraph, a daily newspaper, is the primary newspaper in Macon.

Magazines

  • Around Town Magazine - Monthly Community Magazine, www.aroundtownmacon.com
  • M Food & Culture - Dining and Entertainment Magazine
  • The 11th Hour
  • Macon Magazine - bi-monthly publication
  • Address Macon - Business Magazine, bi-monthly[9]

Television stations

Radio stations

FM

  • WMNZ FM - Macon
  • WEAM FM - Macon
  • WLVN FM - Macon
  • WKZR FM - Macon
  • WBKG 88.9 - Macon (Religious)
  • WMUM 89.7 - Macon (Georgia Public Broadcasting/National Public Radio)
  • WLZN 92.3 - Macon (Urban Hip-Hop - "Blazin' 92.3")
  • WPEZ 93.7 - Macon (AC)
  • WMGB 95.1 ("Bee 95.1") - Macon
  • WPCH 96.5 - Macon (Country - "THE BULL")
  • WDXQ 96.7 - Cochran (Classic Hits - "96Q")
  • WQXZ 98.3 - Pinehurst/Hawkinsville/Warner Robins (Oldies - "Qwixie 98.3")
  • WDEN 99.1 - Macon (Country)
  • WQSA 99.9 - Unadilla/Warner Robins (AC - "Sunny 99.9FM")
  • WMGZ 97.7 FM - Macon
  • WIBB 97.9 - Macon (Urban - Hip Hop "97.9 WIBB")
  • WRBV 101.7 - Macon (Urban AC - "V101.7")
  • WEBL 102.5 - Macon (Oldies/Adult Contemporary - "The New Peach")
  • WRPG 103.9 - Hawkinsville/Warner Robins (News/Talk - "103-9 The Patriot")
  • WIFN 105.5 - Macon (105.5 "The Fan") Sports
  • WQBZ 106.3 - Macon (AOR - Classic Rock 'n' Roll - "Q106")
  • WFXM 107.1 - Macon (Hip-Hop & R&B "Power 107")

AM

  • WMVG AM - Macon
  • WCEH 610 AM - Hawkinsville (Country - Real Country 610)
  • WBML 900 AM - Macon (Religious)
  • WMAC 940 AM - Macon (Talk)
  • WDDO 1240 AM - Macon (Gospel)
  • WIBB 1280 AM - Macon (Gospel - "The Light")
  • WNNG 1350 AM - Warner Robins (Adult Standards - "Wing 1350")
  • WNEX 1400 AM - Macon (Radio Disney)
  • WDCO 1400 AM - Cochran (Gospel - "Solid Gospel 1440")
  • WAYS 1500 AM - Macon (Oldies)
  • WVVM 1670 AM - Macon (Regional Mexican - "VIVA 1670")

Major venues

Education

Colleges and universities

Macon State
File:Mercer University1.jpg
Mercer University

High schools

Special facilities

Healthcare

The Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon

Hospitals

Transportation

MTA-MAC City Bus
Trolley "Mitsi"

Middle Georgia Regional Airport (IATA: MCN, ICAO: KMCN), provides public air service to Macon as well as cargo flights. The airport is situated 9 miles (14 km) south of downtown. Herbert Smart Downtown Airport (IATA: MAC, ICAO: KMAC) also provides air service to Macon.

Most Maconites rely on their cars as the dominant mode of transportation in the region, and the federal Interstate Highway System covers much of the city. Interstate 75 bisects the central city along a roughly north-south route, while Interstate 475 bypasses the city in western Bibb County. Interstate 16 splits off from I-75 in downtown Macon and connects the city with Interstate 95 and Savannah, Georgia.

The Macon Transit Authority (MTA) is Macon's public-transit system, operating the bus system within Bibb County. However, many commuters in Macon and the surrounding suburbs use private automobiles as their primary transportation. This results in heavy traffic during rush hour and contributes to Macon's air pollution.

Macon Transit Authority has also started a trolley system. The trolleys have been offering tours in the downtown Macon area since 1999. The tour consist of all of the major historical sites such as the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, the Hay House, and the Tubman Museum. There are three trolleys; MITSI, Miss Molly, and Sweet Melissa and each holds up to 39 passengers. Greyhound Lines provides intercity bus service between Macon and many locations throughout the United States and Canada. The Greyhound terminal is situated at 65 Spring Street, on the eastern edge of the downtown area.

Sports

Club Sport League Venue
Macon Music Baseball South Coast League Luther Williams Field
Georgia Gwizzlies Basketball American Basketball Association Macon Coliseum

Major routes

Sister cities

Notable Maconites

Main article: List of Maconites

See also

References

  1. ^ U.S. Census Bureau Population Finder
  2. ^ Annual Estimates of the Population of Combined Statistical Areas: April 1 2000 to July 1 2005 (Note: This is a Microsoft Excel-formatted file)
  3. ^ Southern Scribe
  4. ^ While Woolfolk was convicted and hung for the crime, he never confessed, and a note found on a lynched man has cast doubt on his guilt.
  5. ^ "Macon Weather". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ Georgia Music Hall of Fame website
  7. ^ Macon Symphony Orchestra Website
  8. ^ Middle Georgia Concert Band website
  9. ^ http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-128255644.html retrieved July 19, 2007
  10. ^ Mac.com

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