Locust Grove, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Locust Grove is a city in Henry County
, Georgia
, United States
. The population was 2,322 at the 2000 census. Census Estimates for 2005 show a population of 3,434. Some unincorporated communities such as Luella and many rural areas surround Locust Grove and addresses in those communities have Locust Grove postal addresses.
The City of Locust Grove derived its name from a beautiful grove of locust trees that could be seen throughout the town. This tranquil Henry County community is a place for combining tradition with change. Locust Grove was a major rail distribution center for cotton, peaches, and other farm products. The city had three cotton gins and several warehouses. In 1870, the first store was built on Main StreCity of Locust Grove. Since that time many new businesses have made Locust Grove their home.
In 1893, the town was incorporated and the papers were officially signed on December 20, 1893. The original city limits extended mile in every direction from the train depot in the heart of town. The city government consisted of one mayor and five council members. The first to fill these positions were appointed until elections could take place. The first mayor was M.P. Sowell. Those appointed to the first city council were: G.P. Combs, C.M. Mahone, J.L. Garnder, R.C. Brown, and W.H. Peek. The first city clerk was C. W. Williams.
The first ordinance passed by the city council restricted the speed of the trains to 15 miles per hour. There were questions on how to enforce this because the city did not have a police department at that time, but the railroad was notified. The town was reincorporated in 1922 and a new charter was established.
One of Henry County’s most important landmark buildings is the Locust Grove Institute (LGI), founded by The Locust Grove Baptist Church and Mercer University. In 1894, the first building of the Institute was erected and the school opened its doors on November 1, 1894 with thirteen students and two instructors. By the end of the school year, eighty-five students had been enrolled. LGI grew rapidly and several houses in the community, such as the Combs-McKnight-Morfoot House were used as boarding housing to help accommodate the growing student population.
Locust Grove Institute served a very important purpose and was one of the first schools in Georgia to be accredited by the Association of Schools and Colleges of the Southern States. The curriculum stressed learning in all facets of life, The academic building was constructed in 1904 for a total cost of $14,000.00. The original building was destroyed by fire in 1906. In 1918, LGI began a military training program for its students. In 1919, the Institute transferred all property titles to the Georgia Baptist Convention.
The Great Depression and the introduction of public schools in Henry County led to the demise of The Locust Grove Institute in May 1930. The school remained empty until 1936 when the academic building served as a public elementary school for the city. In 1983, the City of Locust Grove purchased the building. Numerous renovations were made and the structure was restored, modifying the interior to house the various City Government offices, presently known as the Locust Grove Municipal Complex. This building was entered on the National Register of Historic Places on September 4, 1986.
Locust Grove has experienced a growth in population and in businesses coming into the area. In 1900 the population of the city was 254 and is now well over 4,000 within the city limits alone.
Tanger Outlet Center opened for business in the fall of 1994 in Locust Grove. Since that time many new businesses have made Locust Grove their home. Tanger Outlet Center tenants include Coach, J. Crew, Jones New York, Liz Claiborne
, Gap
, Banana Republic, Old Navy
, Pac Sun, Polo
Ralph Lauren
, Reebok
, Tommy Hilfiger
, Nautica
, Aeropostale
, Jockey
, Eddie Bauer
, Nike
and more.
Locust Grove is also home to Noah's Ark, a rehabilitation center for animals and group home for children from birth to 18 years old. The non-profit facility is home to over 1,000 animals and is licensed by the State of Georgia to provide residential care for up to 24 children. The wildlife from the rehabilitation center and the children from the Children's Care Home play a vital role for each other. The children participate in "pet therapy," nurturing the baby wildlife as the animals are rehabilitated in hopes of eventually being returned to their natural habitat. This is important because many of the children have been abused or abandoned and may have a hard time relating to people. They’re able to learn to care for the animals that, in turn, are receiving much needed affection and attention. Walk the nature trails, visit the animal habitats, and witness the power and effectiveness of love.
Locust Grove is located at 33°20′44"N 84°6′18"W (33.345499, -84.104991).
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²), of which, 2.1 square miles (5.5 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (3.18%) is water.
The unincorporated community
of Luella can be found within the postal limits of Locust Grove.
of 2000, there were 2,322 people, 817 households, and 637 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,089.5 people per square mile (420.9/km²). There were 863 housing units at an average density of 404.9 per square mile (156.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.00% White, 14.38% African American, 0.60% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.08% from other races
, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.07% of the population.
There were 817 households out of which 41.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples
living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.0% were non-families. 18.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.4% 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 3.18.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 35.2% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,188, and the median income for a family was $46,042. Males had a median income of $32,094 versus $22,845 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,120. About 5.6% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.3% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.
Henry County, Georgia
Henry County is a growing suburban county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 119,341. As of 2010, the county's population swelled to 203,922, up 70.9% from the previous census and becoming Georgia's 8th most populous county and the 10th fastest growing...
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 2,322 at the 2000 census. Census Estimates for 2005 show a population of 3,434. Some unincorporated communities such as Luella and many rural areas surround Locust Grove and addresses in those communities have Locust Grove postal addresses.
The City of Locust Grove derived its name from a beautiful grove of locust trees that could be seen throughout the town. This tranquil Henry County community is a place for combining tradition with change. Locust Grove was a major rail distribution center for cotton, peaches, and other farm products. The city had three cotton gins and several warehouses. In 1870, the first store was built on Main StreCity of Locust Grove. Since that time many new businesses have made Locust Grove their home.
In 1893, the town was incorporated and the papers were officially signed on December 20, 1893. The original city limits extended mile in every direction from the train depot in the heart of town. The city government consisted of one mayor and five council members. The first to fill these positions were appointed until elections could take place. The first mayor was M.P. Sowell. Those appointed to the first city council were: G.P. Combs, C.M. Mahone, J.L. Garnder, R.C. Brown, and W.H. Peek. The first city clerk was C. W. Williams.
The first ordinance passed by the city council restricted the speed of the trains to 15 miles per hour. There were questions on how to enforce this because the city did not have a police department at that time, but the railroad was notified. The town was reincorporated in 1922 and a new charter was established.
One of Henry County’s most important landmark buildings is the Locust Grove Institute (LGI), founded by The Locust Grove Baptist Church and Mercer University. In 1894, the first building of the Institute was erected and the school opened its doors on November 1, 1894 with thirteen students and two instructors. By the end of the school year, eighty-five students had been enrolled. LGI grew rapidly and several houses in the community, such as the Combs-McKnight-Morfoot House were used as boarding housing to help accommodate the growing student population.
Locust Grove Institute served a very important purpose and was one of the first schools in Georgia to be accredited by the Association of Schools and Colleges of the Southern States. The curriculum stressed learning in all facets of life, The academic building was constructed in 1904 for a total cost of $14,000.00. The original building was destroyed by fire in 1906. In 1918, LGI began a military training program for its students. In 1919, the Institute transferred all property titles to the Georgia Baptist Convention.
The Great Depression and the introduction of public schools in Henry County led to the demise of The Locust Grove Institute in May 1930. The school remained empty until 1936 when the academic building served as a public elementary school for the city. In 1983, the City of Locust Grove purchased the building. Numerous renovations were made and the structure was restored, modifying the interior to house the various City Government offices, presently known as the Locust Grove Municipal Complex. This building was entered on the National Register of Historic Places on September 4, 1986.
Locust Grove has experienced a growth in population and in businesses coming into the area. In 1900 the population of the city was 254 and is now well over 4,000 within the city limits alone.
Tanger Outlet Center opened for business in the fall of 1994 in Locust Grove. Since that time many new businesses have made Locust Grove their home. Tanger Outlet Center tenants include Coach, J. Crew, Jones New York, Liz Claiborne
Liz Claiborne
Anne Elisabeth Jane "Liz" Claiborne was a Belgian-born American fashion designer and entrepreneur. Claiborne is best known for founding Liz Claiborne Inc. which in 1986 became the first company founded by a woman to make the Fortune 500...
, Gap
Gap (clothing retailer)
The Gap, Inc. is an American clothing and accessories retailer based in San Francisco, California, and founded in 1969 by Donald G. Fisher and Doris F. Fisher. The company has five primary brands: the namesake Gap banner, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta. As of September 2008,...
, Banana Republic, Old Navy
Old Navy
Old Navy is an American clothing brand as well as a chain of stores owned by Gap, Inc., with corporate operations in San Francisco and San Bruno, California. It is one of the first major corporations to house headquarters in the new Mission Bay district of San Francisco.Gap, Inc. was run by...
, Pac Sun, Polo
Polo Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren Corporation is a luxury clothing and goods company of the American fashion designer Ralph Lauren. Ralph Lauren specializes in high-end casual/semi-formal wear for men and women, as well as accessories, fragrances, home and housewares...
Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren is an American fashion designer and business executive; best known for his Polo Ralph Lauren clothing brand.-Early life:...
, Reebok
Reebok
Reebok International Limited, a subsidiary of the German sportswear company Adidas since 2005, is a producer of Athletic shoes, apparel, and accessories. The name comes from the Afrikaans spelling of rhebok, a type of African antelope or gazelle...
, Tommy Hilfiger
Tommy Hilfiger
Thomas Jacob "Tommy" Hilfiger is an American fashion designer and founder of the premium lifestyle brand Tommy Hilfiger.-Early life:...
, Nautica
Nautica
Nautica is a US based apparel brand of the VF Corporation featuring primarily men's sportswear. Nautica was founded in 1983 by clothing designer, David Chu, and a partner. It was purchased for cash and stock in 1984 by State-O-Main, a New York based apparel company. State-O-Main changed its name to...
, Aeropostale
Aéropostale (clothing)
Aéropostale, Inc. is a mall-based, specialty retailer of casual apparel and accessories, principally targeting 14-to-17-year-old young women and men through its Aéropostale stores and 7-to-12-year-old kids through its P.S. from Aéropostale stores...
, Jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
, Eddie Bauer
Eddie Bauer
Eddie Bauer Holdings Inc. is a holding company that operates the Eddie Bauer clothing store chain, headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, United States. EBH was formed after Eddie Bauer's former parent company, Spiegel, Inc., went bankrupt in 2003...
, Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
and more.
Locust Grove is also home to Noah's Ark, a rehabilitation center for animals and group home for children from birth to 18 years old. The non-profit facility is home to over 1,000 animals and is licensed by the State of Georgia to provide residential care for up to 24 children. The wildlife from the rehabilitation center and the children from the Children's Care Home play a vital role for each other. The children participate in "pet therapy," nurturing the baby wildlife as the animals are rehabilitated in hopes of eventually being returned to their natural habitat. This is important because many of the children have been abused or abandoned and may have a hard time relating to people. They’re able to learn to care for the animals that, in turn, are receiving much needed affection and attention. Walk the nature trails, visit the animal habitats, and witness the power and effectiveness of love.
Geography
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 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²), of which, 2.1 square miles (5.5 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (3.18%) is water.
The unincorporated community
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
of Luella can be found within the postal limits of Locust Grove.
Major highways
-
Interstate 75Interstate 75Interstate 75 is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes and Southeastern regions of the United States. It travels from State Road 826 and State Road 924 in Hialeah, Florida to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, at the Ontario, Canada, border... -
U.S. Highway 23 -
Georgia State Route 42Georgia State Route 42State Route 42 is a Georgia state highway that runs in a generally north–south orientation from a short distance northeast of Atlanta in DeKalb County to Byron in Peach County.-Routing:... -
Georgia State Route 155Georgia State Route 155State Route 155 begins at U.S. 19/U.S. 41/S.R. 3, just south of Griffin, Georgia, and ends at Buford Highway in DeKalb County as Clairmont Road.-Spalding County:-Henry County:-DeKalb County:... -
Georgia State Route 401
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 2,322 people, 817 households, and 637 families residing in the city. 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 1,089.5 people per square mile (420.9/km²). There were 863 housing units at an average density of 404.9 per square mile (156.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.00% White, 14.38% African American, 0.60% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.08% from other races
Race (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 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.07% of the population.
There were 817 households out of which 41.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% 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, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.0% were non-families. 18.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.4% 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 3.18.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 35.2% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,188, and the median income for a family was $46,042. Males had a median income of $32,094 versus $22,845 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 city was $16,120. About 5.6% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.3% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.
Elementary
- Locust Grove Elementary School
- Unity Grove Elementary School
- Luella Elementary School
- New Hope Elementary School
- Bethlehem Elementary School