Garden City, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Garden City is a city in Chatham County
, Georgia, United States. It lies along the Savannah River
just northwest of Savannah
. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 8,778. Parts industrial and residential, the city is home to much of the heavy industry in Chatham County and also hosts the Port of Savannah
, the flagship operation of the Georgia Ports Authority
.
Garden City is part of the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 14.6 square miles (37.8 km²), of which, 14.6 square miles (37.8 km²) of it is land and 0.07% is water.
, and 2.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.98% of the population.
There were 3,981 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 18.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 12.4% from 18 to 24, 34.9% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 119.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 124.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,718, and the median income for a family was $31,664. Males had a median income of $28,333 versus $21,245 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,139. About 17.3% of families and 18.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.5% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.
operates a terminal, located at 2 Main Street. Garden City is also home to numerous trucking and railway companies. Other industries are:
Industrial rental space is available at locations such as:
Residential subdivisions include:
Garden City is also home to the following apartment complexes, rental housing units and mobile home parks.
Garden City operated under a mayor–council form of government until 2009. It has adopted a council-administrator style and, by 2011, it will replace its seven at-large council members by one at-large and five district-elected ones.
For a list of past and present mayors and council members of Garden City, see Mayors of Garden City, Georgia.
As of 2010, Garden City has never collected property taxes.
In the last three decades, the area's county commissioners have been:
Color code:
near Garden City.
Three public schools can be found within Garden City limits. They are managed by the Savannah Chatham County Public School System
.
Groves High School- Long known as “the pride of the Westside,” Groves High School
has a rich community tradition that dates back to its founding in 1958. Established to serve the young people and families of West Chatham County, the school is named for Robert W. Groves, a prominent business and civic leader in the county. Besides his powerful role in business and his many commercial and community activities, Groves took particular concern for the youth of the area and their educational needs.
Groves High School is home of the Fighting Scottish Rebels football and basketball teams. Campus points of interest include the Woodville-Tompkins Annex, where the automotive and construction programs are offered, and the Cumming Field, named to honor Second Lieutenant Britt C. Cumming a World War II veteran who was killed in action.
Mercer Middle School- Mercer Middle School serves grades 6th through 8th and is a part of the Savannah Chatham County School System (SCCPSS). Originally called Mercer Junior High School, Mercer Middle School first opened on September 4, 1962 and was the first climate controlled school in Georgia. Mercer was named for George Anderson Mercer, an attorney who served as the president of the Board of Education from 1883 until his death in 1907.
Garden City Elementary School- Garden City Elementary School was built to serve the consolidated student population of the former Benjamin Sprague and Martin G. Haynes elementary schools.
, for 15%. There is no Catholic church in Garden City. The nearest Catholic church building is the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, located at 501 South Coastal Highway in Port Wentworth
. Local houses of prayer include:
Services to the citizens of Garden City include:
Garden City is home to five public parks. All are managed by the municipal City Parks & Recreation Department, headquartered at 160B Priscilla D. Thomas Way, Garden City, GA 31408.
Chatham County, Georgia
Chatham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The county seat and largest city is Savannah. In the official US Census of 2010, Chatham County had a total population of 265,128 . Chatham is the most populous Georgia county outside the Atlanta metropolitan area...
, Georgia, United States. It lies along the Savannah River
Savannah River
The Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. Two tributaries of the Savannah, the Tugaloo River and the Chattooga River, form the northernmost part of the border...
just northwest of Savannah
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 8,778. Parts industrial and residential, the city is home to much of the heavy industry in Chatham County and also hosts the Port of Savannah
Port of Savannah
The Port of Savannah is a major U.S. seaport located at Savannah, Georgia. Its extensive facilities for oceangoing vessels line both sides of the Savannah River approximately from the Atlantic Ocean...
, the flagship operation of the Georgia Ports Authority
Georgia Ports Authority
The Georgia Ports Authority is the administrative agency of the U.S. state of Georgia that oversees the development, maintenance and operation of two deepwater seaports and two inland ports in the state. The GPA was established in 1945 by State Ports Authority Act #422 and is currently...
.
Garden City is part of the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area
Savannah metropolitan area
The Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of three counties in Georgia, anchored by the city of Savannah. As of the 2010 census, the Savannah MSA had a population of 347,611, an 18.6 percent increase from the 2000 population of ...
.
Geography
Garden City is located at 32°6′1"N 81°9′54"W (32.100372, −81.164965).According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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...
, the city has a total area of 14.6 square miles (37.8 km²), of which, 14.6 square miles (37.8 km²) of it is land and 0.07% is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,289 people, 3,981 households, and 2,663 families residing in the city. The population density was 772.8 people per square mile (298.3/km²). There were 4,413 housing units at an average density of 302.1 per square mile (116.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 54.17% White, 39.99% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.91% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.32% from other racesRace (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.98% of the population.
There were 3,981 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 18.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 12.4% from 18 to 24, 34.9% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 119.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 124.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,718, and the median income for a family was $31,664. Males had a median income of $28,333 versus $21,245 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,139. About 17.3% of families and 18.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.5% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Agriculture
Located at 701 West U.S. Highway 80, the State Farmers Market is a farmers’ markets run by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.Business
Commercial activities are traditionally concentrated near the junction of U.S. Highway 80, U.S. Highway 17 and State Highway 21 (an area once known as Traffic Circle), as well as along Augusta Road (Highway 21), where several long term stay hotels, franchise and independently owned fast food restaurants, financial institutions, pawn shops, strip shopping malls, gas stations, car repair shops and automotive retail stores are located. Strip shopping centers include:| Mall | Location | Year Established |
|---|---|---|
| Dean Forest Village | 1550 Dean Forest Road | |
| Fortune Plaza | 622 West U.S. Highway 80 | |
| Garden City Office Center | 4019 Augusta Road | |
| Garden City Retail Building | 4831 Augusta Road | 1985 |
| Garden City Shopping Center | 5216 Augusta Road | 1976 |
| Garden Grove Shopping Center | 109 Minus Avenue | |
| High Way 80 Plaza | 522 West U.S. Highway 80 | |
| Southbridge Commons | 1450 Dean Forest Road | 2009 |
| Traffic Circle (Twenty One) Shopping Center | 309 Main Street | |
| Westside Business Complex | 3911 Old Louisville Road | |
| West Side Shopping Center | 403 West U.S. Highway 80 |
Industry
Garden City’s industry is located primarily on its waterfront, as is the case for surrounding communities. Georgia Ports AuthorityGeorgia Ports Authority
The Georgia Ports Authority is the administrative agency of the U.S. state of Georgia that oversees the development, maintenance and operation of two deepwater seaports and two inland ports in the state. The GPA was established in 1945 by State Ports Authority Act #422 and is currently...
operates a terminal, located at 2 Main Street. Garden City is also home to numerous trucking and railway companies. Other industries are:
| Facility | Location | Production |
|---|---|---|
| GAF Materials Corporation | 1 Brampton Road | Residential and commercial roofing |
| Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation | 500 Gulfstream Road | Jet aircrafts |
| Herty Foundation | 110 Brampton Road | Research and development, papermaking |
| National Gypsum | 2 Brampton Road | Gypsum boards |
| SemMaterials | 14 Foundation Drive | Transportation and storage of energy including crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, asphalt and refined products |
Industrial rental space is available at locations such as:
| Facility | Location |
|---|---|
| Chatham Commercial Condominiums | 1101 Chatham Parkway |
| Lynah Square | 1335 Lynah Avenue |
| Westport Business Park | 2509 Dean Forest Road |
History
From the Reconstruction Era until the 1930s, the area was home to three major plantations: Brampton, Givens and Telfair. Garden City was incorporated on February 8, 1939 as Industrial City Gardens. It received its current name on March 24, 1941.Neighborhoods and housing
The oldest inhabited section of Garden City roughly corresponds to the triangle formed by Smith Avenue, U.S. Highway 17 (Main Street) and State Highway 21 corridors. Throughout its history, Garden City has significantly expanded westward and southward. It has acquired several residential subdivisions, which include:Residential subdivisions include:
| Subdivision | Approximate Boundaries |
|---|---|
| Central Junction | DeLoach Avenue, Garden City Elementary School, Old Louisville Road, U.S. Highway 80 |
| Chatham Villa | Groves High School, State Highway 21 (Augusta Road), Chatham City Apartments, Dillard Yard |
| Rossignol Hill | Minus Avenue, State Highway 21 (Augusta Road), U.S. Highway 80, Dillard Yard |
| Sharon Park | Talmadge Avenue, Old Louisville Road, Garden City Elementary School, DeLoach Avenue, U.S. Highway 80 |
| The Oaks | Big Hill Road, Leone Avenue, Hawkinsville Road, Dillard Yard |
| Wheat Hill | Big Hill Road, State Highway 21 (Augusta Road), Robert W. Groves High School, Dillard Yard |
| Woodlawn Terrace | State Road 307 (Dean Forest Road), Old Louisville Road, Talmadge Avenue, U.S. Highway 80 |
Garden City is also home to the following apartment complexes, rental housing units and mobile home parks.
| Complex | Location | Type of Housing |
|---|---|---|
| Almar Inn & Mobile Home Park | 35 Main Street | Mobile Homes Park |
| Chatham City Apartments | 4309 Augusta Road | Apartment / Rental Units |
| Davis Mobile Home Park | Davis Mobile Home Road | Mobile Homes Park |
| Garden City Mobile Estates | 4309 Augusta Road | Mobile Homes Park |
| Garden Lake Townhomes | 4024 Kessler Avenue | Apartment / Rental Units |
| Kessler Point | 901 Kessler Court | Apartment / Rental Units |
| Plantation Townhouses | 112 Denmark Street | Apartment / Rental Units |
| Southwynn Mobile Home Estates | 217 Main Street | Mobile Homes Park |
| Sunshine RV Park | Sunshine Avenue | Mobile Homes Park |
| The Arbors Apartment Homes | 4035 Kessler Avenue | Apartment / Rental Units |
| Wyndmere Apartments | 1326 West U.S. Highway 80 | Apartment / Rental Units |
Municipal
Garden City operated under a mayor–council form of government until 2009. It has adopted a council-administrator style and, by 2011, it will replace its seven at-large council members by one at-large and five district-elected ones.
For a list of past and present mayors and council members of Garden City, see Mayors of Garden City, Georgia.
As of 2010, Garden City has never collected property taxes.
Other levels of government
Garden City is represented by:- the 7th and the 8th districts on the boards of the Chatham CountyChatham County, GeorgiaChatham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The county seat and largest city is Savannah. In the official US Census of 2010, Chatham County had a total population of 265,128 . Chatham is the most populous Georgia county outside the Atlanta metropolitan area...
Commission and the Savannah Chatham County Public School System; - the 159th and the 160th district in the State HouseGeorgia House of RepresentativesThe Georgia House of Representatives is the lower house of the Georgia General Assembly of the U.S. state of Georgia.-Composition:...
; - the 1st and the 2nd district in the State SenateGeorgia SenateThe Georgia State Senate is the upper house of the Georgia General Assembly .-Composition:According to the state constitution of 1983, this body is to be composed of no more than 56 members elected for two-year terms. Current state law provides for 56 members...
; - the 12th congressional districtGeorgia's 12th congressional districtGeorgia's 12th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Georgia covering much of the east central parts of the state. From the city of Augusta it runs southeast, along the state's border with South Carolina, to the city of Savannah, taking in such cities as...
in Congress.
In the last three decades, the area's county commissioners have been:
| Inauguration | Term Expiration | |8th district Commissioner | Party | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 1985 | James M. “Jimmie” DeLoach | Democrat Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
L. Scott Stell, Jr. | Democrat | ||
| 1985 | 1989 | James M. “Jimmie” DeLoach | Democrat | Dorothy Barnes Pelote | Democrat | ||
| 1989 | 1993 | James M. “Jimmie” DeLoach | Democrat | Dorothy Barnes Pelote | Democrat | ||
| 1993 | 1997 | Eddie DeLoach | Democrat | Dr. Priscilla D. Thomas | Democrat | ||
| 1997 | 2001 | Eddie DeLoach | Democrat | Dr. Priscilla D. Thomas | Democrat | ||
| 2001 | 2005 | Dean Kicklighter | Republican | Dr. Priscilla D. Thomas | Democrat | ||
| 2005 | 2009 | Dean Kicklighter | Republican | Dr. Priscilla D. Thomas | Democrat | ||
| 2009 | 2013 | Dean Kicklighter | Republican | Dr. Priscilla D. Thomas | Democrat |
Color code:
State representation
The Georgia Department of Corrections operates the Coastal State PrisonCoastal State Prison
Coastal State Prison is a Georgia Department of Corrections state prison located in Savannah, near Garden City. The facility houses Adult Male Felons, the capacity is 1580. It was constructed 1981 and opened in the same year...
near Garden City.
Public education
 |
Three public schools can be found within Garden City limits. They are managed by the Savannah Chatham County Public School System
Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools
Savannah-Chatham County Public School System is a school district based in Chatham County, Georgia, United States. SCCPSS is run by an elected Board of Public Education and operates most public schools in the Chatham County including those in the city of Savannah. The current superintendent is...
.
| School | Location | Year Established | Number of Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden City Elementary School | 4037 Kessler Avenue | 1996 | 575 |
| George A. Mercer Middle School | 201 Rommel Avenue | 1962 | 880 |
| Robert W. Groves High School Groves High School (Georgia) Robert W. Groves High School is a public secondary school located in Garden City, Georgia, United States, serving students in grades 9–12... |
100 Priscilla D. Thomas Way | 1958 | 1,454 |
Groves High School- Long known as “the pride of the Westside,” Groves High School
Groves High School (Georgia)
Robert W. Groves High School is a public secondary school located in Garden City, Georgia, United States, serving students in grades 9–12...
has a rich community tradition that dates back to its founding in 1958. Established to serve the young people and families of West Chatham County, the school is named for Robert W. Groves, a prominent business and civic leader in the county. Besides his powerful role in business and his many commercial and community activities, Groves took particular concern for the youth of the area and their educational needs.
Groves High School is home of the Fighting Scottish Rebels football and basketball teams. Campus points of interest include the Woodville-Tompkins Annex, where the automotive and construction programs are offered, and the Cumming Field, named to honor Second Lieutenant Britt C. Cumming a World War II veteran who was killed in action.
Mercer Middle School- Mercer Middle School serves grades 6th through 8th and is a part of the Savannah Chatham County School System (SCCPSS). Originally called Mercer Junior High School, Mercer Middle School first opened on September 4, 1962 and was the first climate controlled school in Georgia. Mercer was named for George Anderson Mercer, an attorney who served as the president of the Board of Education from 1883 until his death in 1907.
Garden City Elementary School- Garden City Elementary School was built to serve the consolidated student population of the former Benjamin Sprague and Martin G. Haynes elementary schools.
Religion
45.08% of Garden City residents are affiliated with religious congregations. Southern Baptists account for 33% of the population that has a church affiliation; Catholics, for 20% and United MethodistsUnited Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
, for 15%. There is no Catholic church in Garden City. The nearest Catholic church building is the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, located at 501 South Coastal Highway in Port Wentworth
Port Wentworth, Georgia
Port Wentworth is a city in Chatham County, Georgia, USA. The population was 5,359 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Port Wentworth is located at...
. Local houses of prayer include:
| Name | Religious Denomination | Current Location | Year Established |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Baptist Church | Baptist Baptist Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion... |
4010 Old Louisville Road | |
| Chapel-in-the-Gardens, Presbyterian Church in America | Presbyterian | 93 Main Street | 1935 |
| Church of Christ of Garden City | Non-denominational Christian Non-denominational Christianity In Christianity, nondenominational institutions or churches are those not formally aligned with an established denomination, or that remain otherwise officially autonomous. This, however, does not preclude an identifiable standard among such congregations... |
4506 Augusta Road | 2001 |
| Clifton Baptist Church | Baptist | 2 Big Hill Road | 2001 |
| Dean Forest Baptist Church | Baptist | 1524 Old Dean Forest Road | |
| Fairlawn Baptist Church | Baptist | 4719 Augusta Road | 1889 |
| Fellowship Assembly of God | Pentecostal Pentecostalism Pentecostalism is a diverse and complex movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the baptism in the Holy Spirit, has an eschatological focus, and is an experiential religion. The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, the Greek... |
5224 Augusta Road | 1968 |
| First Baptist Church | Baptist | 35 Nelson Avenue | 1940 |
| First Garden City Seventh-Day Adventist Church | Adventist Seventh-day Adventist Church The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ... |
4020 Second Street | |
| Garden City Primitive Baptist Church | Primitive Baptist Primitive Baptist Primitive Baptists, also known as Hard Shell Baptists or Anti-Mission Baptists, are conservative, Calvinist Baptists adhering to beliefs that formed out of the controversy among Baptists in the early 1800’s over the appropriateness of mission boards, bible tract societies, and temperance... |
126 Smith Avenue | 1961 |
| Garden City United Methodist Church | United Methodist | 62 Varnedoe Avenue | 1942 |
| Good Shepherd Lutheran Church | Lutheran | 41 Main Street | |
| Jasper Springs Baptist Church | Baptist | 62 Smith Avenue | 1942 |
| Living Hope Community Fellowship | Non-denominational Christian | 5008 Augusta Road | 2008 |
| Mount Olive Holiness Church | Pentecostal | 37 Leone Avenue | |
| Palm Grove Primitive Baptist Church | Primitive Baptist | 2207 Shaw Avenue | |
| Silk Hope Baptist Church | Baptist | 4929 Pineland Drive | |
| Trinity Church of God | Pentecostal | 2202 US Highway 80 West | |
| United House of Prayer For All People | Non-denominational Christian | 4107 Sixth Street | |
| Woodlawn Baptist Church | Baptist | 407 Talmadge Avenue | 1965 |
| Woodlawn United Methodist Church | United Methodist | 2502 West U.S. Highway 80 | |
| Zion Fair Missionary Baptist Church | Baptist | 4123 First Street |
Services
Services to the citizens of Garden City include:
| Facility | Location |
|---|---|
| Port City Branch of the Live Oak Public Libraries | 3501 Houlihan Avenue |
| Garden City Community & Senior Citizens | 78 Varnedoe Avenue |
Public parks and recreation
The Garden City Parks and Recreation Department has year-round programs available for citizens. Youth sports include: Youth Baseball, Girls Fast Pitch Softball, T-Ball, Football, Cheerleading, Soccer, Gymnastics and Basketball. The City also provides non-team activities such as a Summer day camp; Camp Eagle, roller skating, after school programs and a center for senior citizens.Garden City is home to five public parks. All are managed by the municipal City Parks & Recreation Department, headquartered at 160B Priscilla D. Thomas Way, Garden City, GA 31408.
| Park | Location | Primary Use | Monuments/Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bazemore Park | 1 Bud Brown Drive | Recreational | Baseball complex |
| Griffin Park | 500 Griffin Road | Recreational | Playground |
| The Park at Sharon Park | 507 Sharon Park Drive | Recreational | Two playgrounds, gazebo, pond and hiking trail |
| Town Green | 100 Central Avenue | Esthetic | Fountain and benches |
| Volunteer Park | 5100 Augusta Road (State Highway 21) | Commemorative | Fountain and benches |
Other landmarks
Other landmarks located in Garden City include:- the Air National Guard facility at 1401 Robert B. Miller, Jr. Road;
- Coastal State PrisonCoastal State PrisonCoastal State Prison is a Georgia Department of Corrections state prison located in Savannah, near Garden City. The facility houses Adult Male Felons, the capacity is 1580. It was constructed 1981 and opened in the same year...
, located at 200 Gulfstream Road and dedicated on May 12, 1981; it then replaced the Chatham Correctional Institution as the local-based state-run correctional facility; - the Dotson House (the oldest residence in Garden City), built in 1850 and moved from the surroundings of George A. Mercer School to the site of the current town center;
- the Fire Department Station no. 1, 160 Main Street;
- the Fire Department Station no. 2, 2406 U.S. Highway 80 West;
- the Order of the Eastern StarOrder of the Eastern StarThe Order of the Eastern Star is a fraternal organization that both men and women can join. It was established in 1850 by Rob Morris, a lawyer and educator from Boston, Massachusetts, who had been an official with the Freemasons. It is based on teachings from the Bible, but is open to people of all...
's local branch, located at 131 Rommel Avenue; - the county-run Sharon Park Solid Waste Drop-Off Center, located at 50 Kelly Road;
- a statue of baseball icon Babe RuthBabe RuthGeorge Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
, which stands on the front lawn of Babe's Barbeque Shack, 525 U.S. Highway 80 West; - the Hillcrest Abby West Cemetery, located on Dean Forest Road;
- several roadside welcome signs, posted near the city limits;
- several water towers.