Brooks, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Brooks is a town in Fayette County
, Georgia
, USA
. The population was 553 at the 2000 census.
, Brooks has a total area of 4.1 square miles (10.6 km²), of which, 4.1 square miles (10.6 km²) of it is land and 0.25% is water.
of 2000, there were 553 people, 195 households, and 165 families residing in the town. The population density
was 136.0 people per square mile (52.5/km²). There were 208 housing units at an average density of 51.2 per square mile (19.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.01% White, 0.36% African American, 0.18% Native American, 1.27% Asian, and 0.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.54% of the population.
There were 195 households out of which 40.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.4% were married couples
living together, 4.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.9% were non-families. 12.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 106.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $65,000, and the median income for a family was $70,625. Males had a median income of $47,841 versus $22,000 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $28,199. About 1.6% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 1.9% of those age 65 or over.
the town sent many young men to fight in the Confederate Army. Several of these men were killed a war.
Cotton was the number one crop for a long time until 1921 when the boll weevil appeared quickly destroying crops and placing the town in to an economic depression which also caused the town to lose its charter. By the time the country hit the Great Depression, Brooks had been suffering alone for eight long years. Brooks began to come out of the depression in 1939 after electricity was installed in the town. Around this time Brooks received its town charter again. Another factor in the growth of the town was due to the rise in airline industry. Airline employees from Atlanta began to buy large tracks of farmland. Farming also changed as it moved away from the cotton industry changing to the cattle industry.
As a matter of fact, I walked the old abandoned tracks today and visited the hanging tree along with many more historical sites that are sure to chronicle the life of 'Old Man Padgett'.
If you would like to know more contact me at htmn2nyt@yahoo.com.
Thanks,
A Padgett...................
Fayette County, Georgia
Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 91,263. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 106,144. The county seat is Fayetteville....
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 553 at the 2000 census.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, Brooks has a total area of 4.1 square miles (10.6 km²), of which, 4.1 square miles (10.6 km²) of it is land and 0.25% is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 553 people, 195 households, and 165 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 136.0 people per square mile (52.5/km²). There were 208 housing units at an average density of 51.2 per square mile (19.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.01% White, 0.36% African American, 0.18% Native American, 1.27% Asian, and 0.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.54% of the population.
There were 195 households out of which 40.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 4.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.9% were non-families. 12.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 106.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $65,000, and the median income for a family was $70,625. Males had a median income of $47,841 versus $22,000 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $28,199. About 1.6% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 1.9% of those age 65 or over.
History
Before white settlers came on the land, Creek Indians lived in the Brooks area. The first white settlers to reside in the area were the Haisten family. At first the town was called Haistentown but, finally after several other names, Brooks became the name of the town in 1905. Brooks was named after a local planter, Hillery Brooks, who gave a lot to the construction of the railroad and a much needed depot. During the Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
the town sent many young men to fight in the Confederate Army. Several of these men were killed a war.
Past
By the 1900s Brooks began to grow due to the rail road. According to Daniel Langford Jr. several stores were built including a bank, a drugstore, cotton gins, grist mills, blacksmith shops, and several other stores were built. Although businesses were on the rise in the small town, the main source of economy for the town was farming.Cotton was the number one crop for a long time until 1921 when the boll weevil appeared quickly destroying crops and placing the town in to an economic depression which also caused the town to lose its charter. By the time the country hit the Great Depression, Brooks had been suffering alone for eight long years. Brooks began to come out of the depression in 1939 after electricity was installed in the town. Around this time Brooks received its town charter again. Another factor in the growth of the town was due to the rise in airline industry. Airline employees from Atlanta began to buy large tracks of farmland. Farming also changed as it moved away from the cotton industry changing to the cattle industry.
Present
Today Brooks is still considered to be rural but, agriculture is no longer the main source of economy. Much of Brooks is being divided into small 5 acres (20,234.3 m²) to 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) lots ready for the construction of a generally nice homes. Brooks is now a residential area that many people are moving to since it is still considered to be rural. People are trying to get out of the fast pace city and moving to close rural areas such as Brooks. Besides construction, much of the economy of the citizens of Brooks come from the city in which the people drive to work in metro areas such as Fayetteville or even in Atlanta. Brooks now has some stores in town that also contribute to the economy such as a women’s hair salon and tanning shop, a barber shop, deer processor, storage center, and several convenient stores.Education
Brooks’ education falls under the Fayette County Board of Education. The only public school in Brooks is Brooks Elementary. Middle school students attend Whitewater Middle and high school students attend Whitewater High in Fayetteville, both of which are of recent construction.Religion
There are a few Churches in Brooks, including County Line Christian Church, Brooks Christian Church and Brooks United Methodist Church.Cemeteries
In the town of Brooks there are many small cemeteries. According to Tyler Brown most of the cemeteries are small family cemeteries often still kept up by family members who reside in the town.Utilities
Brooks has all the utilities that any other town would have but, they do not come as easily. To get water you have to have a well. Natural gas must be brought to a house and put into a large tank. Due to the drought a few of the old residents are needing to have new well drilled to make up for the lack of water.Activities
Besides activities at church and school, there is a youth recreational park which has baseball fields and football fields for the brooks youth league. Brooks’ road ways are often filled with bike riders. Many bicycle races come through the area and often you can see bikers practicing for the races. Many other activities in the area are just personal pleasures such as horse riding, riding ATVs, fishing, hunting, and other things. Many people like to go up to a local gas station, called Huckaby's, to maybe get a pizza and hang out for a little while as well.Superstitions
Off of Padgett Road in Brooks, there is an old railroad track with a bridge that crosses over Whitewater Creek. During the nineteenth century this area was a plantation and it is said that the owner would hang his slaves from this bridge if they misbehaved. But one day the slaves revolted and hung their master from this bridge. Now it is rumored that the ghost of the plantation owner walks the bridge at night and it is possible to hear him yelling if you listen closely. The bridge has become a popular spot for teenagers to visit in order to scare each other, especially on Halloween.As a matter of fact, I walked the old abandoned tracks today and visited the hanging tree along with many more historical sites that are sure to chronicle the life of 'Old Man Padgett'.
If you would like to know more contact me at htmn2nyt@yahoo.com.
Thanks,
A Padgett...................
Further reading
- Boylan, Michael. “Year Begins with Brooks Race.” The Citizen. 3 Jan 2006.
- “Brooks Christian plans 18th Century Christmas theme.” The Citizen. 28 Nov 2006.
- Brown, Tyler. Personal Interview. 9 Nov 2007.
- Langford Jr., Daniel C. Town of Brooks. 2007. 11 Nov. 2007
- Thomas, Scott. “America’s Hottest Counties.” American Demographics Sept 1999: v13, p34.
- Thomas, Travis. Personal Interview. 13 Nov 2007.