Stockbridge, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Stockbridge is a city in Henry County
, Georgia
, United States
with a population of 25,636 as of the 2010 census
. It is the hometown of the multi-platinum selling alternative rock/post-grunge band Collective Soul
and home to one of the youngest starting pitchers ever to play for the Atlanta Braves
, Kyle Davies, who also graduated from Stockbridge High School
. Stockbridge is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area
.
, who passed through the area many times before the Post Office was built. He was said to be well known and respected in his namesake community. Others contend that the city was named after Thomas Stock, who was State Surveyor and President of the Georgia State Senate in the 1820s.
In 1881, the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad
was to pass through Stockbridge between Macon
and Atlanta. The settlers who owned the land about Old Stockbridge asked so much for their land that two prominent Atlanta citizens, John W. Grant
and George W. Adair, bought a tract about a mile south of Old Stockbridge and offered lots at a reasonable price. Here the railroad built their depot and many lots were sold. The depot was located about 600 feet (182.9 m) north of what is now North Henry Blvd but was destroyed by the Southern Railway
in the early 1980s.
Stockbridge was incorporated as a town in 1895 and as a city August 6, 1920.
to buy over 16 acres (64,749.8 m²) of land near the current city hall running along East Atlanta Road. The City reportedly wanted to build a new city hall, park/square, and a small tract of land for new and more desirable business to incorporate a new image for the city. Stockbridge became the focus of national news and was also one of the largest issues in the 2006 Georgia General Assembly
and their efforts to prevent abuse of eminent domain.
Many of the citizens of Stockbridge and Henry County
were shocked, surprised, and outraged by the apparent abuse of eminent domain by the city.Early in 2006, a protest was organized by the NAACP and supported by the Republican
and Libertarian
parties from the county. Syndicated Atlanta talk show host Neal Boortz
said during his show, "Private property rights are dead in Stockbridge, Georgia" and called members of the Stockbridge City Council, "sorry bastards."
The Henry County Board of Commissioners took a stance on the issue by unanimously approving a non-binding resolution that the county would not take land for economic development purposes. Although the county legally has no say of what the City of Stockbridge can do with its land and its use of eminent domain. Many have said it was just a political strategy being that Henry County has shown recently in voting history to be one of the most conservative counties in the Atlanta metro area.
The conflict between the city and the property owners came to an end on February 2, 2007 as the Georgia Court of Appeals
threw out the condemnation. Only one store, a local florist, beat the eminent domain and was allowed to keep its store and property. http://www.henryherald.com/local/local_story_033222054.html An infamous brick fence was erected around the florist shop to separate it from the new City Hall. It is well known in the area for its awkward shape.
However, in October 2009 the battle between the owner of the florist shop and the city started up again. When the florist shop put up signs for a mayoral and city council candidates who opposed the eminent domain abuse, workers at city hall started putting up bales of hay to block the sign. When a local Television reporter asked who ordered the bales of hay to be put up, city workers refused to comment. http://www.wsbtv.com/news/21430582/detail.html
. The plans call for the new city hall and park and green space
to all be built around the Stockbridge Florist shop that started the now famous Eminent Domain law suit.
The city says that the new development will strengthen the old and worn down, downtown business district. The Stockbridge City Manager
Ted Strickland, said that the new city hall was absolutely necessary, because some current city employees are working out of closets and supply rooms. http://www.henryherald.com/archivesearch/local_story_044222826.html
During interviews with city workers, they complained that it was interesting how the city could "spend 2 million dollars on a water fountain" but could not give its employees a mere $0.50 raise. After being more than 1 million dollars over budget and 2 years behind on the project the new city hall was opened in August 2009.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 13.4 square miles (34.7 km²), of which, 13.3 square miles (34.4 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.45%) is water.
of 2000, there were 9,853 people, 3,749 households, and 2,654 families residing in the city. The population density
was 900.0 people per square mile (347.4/km²). There were 3,991 housing units at an average density of 364.6 per square mile (140.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.63% White, 20.51% African American, 0.27% Native American, 4.55% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 1.44% from other races
, and 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.21% of the population.
There were 3,749 households out of which 39.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples
living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 38.1% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 6.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $48,296, and the median income for a family was $51,341. Males had a median income of $38,457 versus $28,938 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $21,380. 6.8% of the population and 6.0% of families were below the poverty line. 5.9% of those under the age of 18 and 17.1% of
those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Stockbridge is the home of the famous Eagle's Landing Country Club where many affluent and extravagant homes can be found.
requesting a letter of "Greeting" from the City of Stockbridge to the attendees of the first reunion of the Stockbridge family. In his letter, he mentioned that he grew up in Georgia and had been told as a child that the City of Stockbridge was named after his great-great-grandfather Levi Stockbridge
who traveled back and forth from the north to his property in Florida and stopped here on his journey.
Levi Stockbridge was born on March 13, 1820, and fits the time frame just prior to the Civil War. Levi would have been 27 years of age when Stockbridge was assigned a post office in 1847.
Until May 6, 1992, there had never been a name other than Professor Stockbridge. At that time, Levi Stockbridge was mentioned as the person for whom the city may have been named.
It is not certain that Levi Stockbridge was the individual for whom the citizens of the community named their post office and village. However, through John Stockbridge’s letters and many conversations with him, it is believed that this is the rightful Professor Stockbridge who had been unknown for 146 years.
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...
with a population of 25,636 as of the 2010 census
2010 census
The following countries conducted a census in 2010:* Sixth National Population Census of the People's Republic of China* Russian Census * 2010 United States Census...
. It is the hometown of the multi-platinum selling alternative rock/post-grunge band Collective Soul
Collective Soul
Collective Soul is an American rock band originally formed in Stockbridge, Georgia. Collective Soul broke into mainstream popularity with their first hit single, "Shine", which came from their debut album Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid, released in 1993...
and home to one of the youngest starting pitchers ever to play for the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, Kyle Davies, who also graduated from Stockbridge High School
Stockbridge High School
Stockbridge High School is high school hosting grades 9–12, located in Stockbridge, Georgia, U.S.A. and is operated by the Henry County School System. Enrollment is around 1,800.-Principals:*Mr. Sam Floyd, 1984 to 1987*Mr. Bill Eaves, 1988 to 2002...
. Stockbridge is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
.
History
The area was settled in 1829 when Concord Methodist Church was organized near present today Old Stagecoach Road. It was granted a post office on April 5, 1847 named for a traveling Professor, Levi StockbridgeLevi Stockbridge
Levi Stockbridge was a farmer and scientist from Hadley, Massachusetts. He was instrumental in the early history of the Massachusetts Agricultural College now known as the University of Massachusetts, Amherst....
, who passed through the area many times before the Post Office was built. He was said to be well known and respected in his namesake community. Others contend that the city was named after Thomas Stock, who was State Surveyor and President of the Georgia State Senate in the 1820s.
In 1881, the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad
East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad
The East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad was a rail transport system that operated in the southeastern United States during the late 19th century...
was to pass through Stockbridge between Macon
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
and Atlanta. The settlers who owned the land about Old Stockbridge asked so much for their land that two prominent Atlanta citizens, John W. Grant
John W. Grant
John W. Grant was a member of the Georgia School of Technology board of trustees and a well-known Atlanta merchant sometime around the 1880s.He was the grandson of John T. Grant and the son of William D...
and George W. Adair, bought a tract about a mile south of Old Stockbridge and offered lots at a reasonable price. Here the railroad built their depot and many lots were sold. The depot was located about 600 feet (182.9 m) north of what is now North Henry Blvd but was destroyed by the Southern Railway
Southern Railway (US)
The Southern Railway is a former United States railroad. It was the product of nearly 150 predecessor lines that were combined, reorganized and recombined beginning in the 1830s, formally becoming the Southern Railway in 1894...
in the early 1980s.
Stockbridge was incorporated as a town in 1895 and as a city August 6, 1920.
Eminent Domain Controversy
In late 2005 the City of Stockbridge engaged in a highly controversial preemptive use of eminent domainEminent domain
Eminent domain , compulsory purchase , resumption/compulsory acquisition , or expropriation is an action of the state to seize a citizen's private property, expropriate property, or seize a citizen's rights in property with due monetary compensation, but without the owner's consent...
to buy over 16 acres (64,749.8 m²) of land near the current city hall running along East Atlanta Road. The City reportedly wanted to build a new city hall, park/square, and a small tract of land for new and more desirable business to incorporate a new image for the city. Stockbridge became the focus of national news and was also one of the largest issues in the 2006 Georgia General Assembly
Georgia General Assembly
The Georgia General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is bicameral, being composed of the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Senate....
and their efforts to prevent abuse of eminent domain.
Many of the citizens of Stockbridge and Henry County
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...
were shocked, surprised, and outraged by the apparent abuse of eminent domain by the city.Early in 2006, a protest was organized by the NAACP and supported by the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and Libertarian
Libertarian Party (United States)
The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...
parties from the county. Syndicated Atlanta talk show host Neal Boortz
Neal Boortz
Neal A. Boortz, Jr. is an American Libertarian radio host, author, and political commentator. His nationally syndicated talk show, The Neal Boortz Show, airs throughout the United States on Dial Global . It is ranked seventh in overall listeners, with 4.25+ million per week...
said during his show, "Private property rights are dead in Stockbridge, Georgia" and called members of the Stockbridge City Council, "sorry bastards."
The Henry County Board of Commissioners took a stance on the issue by unanimously approving a non-binding resolution that the county would not take land for economic development purposes. Although the county legally has no say of what the City of Stockbridge can do with its land and its use of eminent domain. Many have said it was just a political strategy being that Henry County has shown recently in voting history to be one of the most conservative counties in the Atlanta metro area.
The conflict between the city and the property owners came to an end on February 2, 2007 as the Georgia Court of Appeals
Georgia Court of Appeals
The Georgia Court of Appeals is the intermediate-level appellate court for the U.S. state of Georgia.-Founding of the court:The genesis of the Court of Appeals began with a report by the State Bar of Georgia in 1895, suggesting that the Georgia State Legislature create a new intermediate appellate...
threw out the condemnation. Only one store, a local florist, beat the eminent domain and was allowed to keep its store and property. http://www.henryherald.com/local/local_story_033222054.html An infamous brick fence was erected around the florist shop to separate it from the new City Hall. It is well known in the area for its awkward shape.
However, in October 2009 the battle between the owner of the florist shop and the city started up again. When the florist shop put up signs for a mayoral and city council candidates who opposed the eminent domain abuse, workers at city hall started putting up bales of hay to block the sign. When a local Television reporter asked who ordered the bales of hay to be put up, city workers refused to comment. http://www.wsbtv.com/news/21430582/detail.html
New City Hall
After February 2007 the city had new plans drawn up to build the new city hallCity hall
In local government, a city hall, town hall or a municipal building or civic centre, is the chief administrative building of a city...
. The plans call for the new city hall and park and green space
Open space reserve
Open space reserve, open space preserve, and open space reservation, are planning and conservation ethics terms used to describe areas of protected or conserved land or water on which development is indefinitely set aside...
to all be built around the Stockbridge Florist shop that started the now famous Eminent Domain law suit.
The city says that the new development will strengthen the old and worn down, downtown business district. The Stockbridge City Manager
City manager
A city manager is an official appointed as the administrative manager of a city, in a council-manager form of city government. Local officials serving in this position are sometimes referred to as the chief executive officer or chief administrative officer in some municipalities...
Ted Strickland, said that the new city hall was absolutely necessary, because some current city employees are working out of closets and supply rooms. http://www.henryherald.com/archivesearch/local_story_044222826.html
During interviews with city workers, they complained that it was interesting how the city could "spend 2 million dollars on a water fountain" but could not give its employees a mere $0.50 raise. After being more than 1 million dollars over budget and 2 years behind on the project the new city hall was opened in August 2009.
Things to do in Stockbridge
- Tribulation Trail- This event occurs in the month of October
- Panola Mountain State Park
- Memorial Park
- Gardner Park
- Clark Community Park
- Ole Stockbridge Days- This is held annually the first Saturday before Mother's Day
Public
- Stockbridge Elementary School
- Cotton Indian Elementary School
- Pleasant Grove Elementary School
- Woodland Elementary School
- Stockbridge Middle School
- Woodland Middle School
- Stockbridge High SchoolStockbridge High SchoolStockbridge High School is high school hosting grades 9–12, located in Stockbridge, Georgia, U.S.A. and is operated by the Henry County School System. Enrollment is around 1,800.-Principals:*Mr. Sam Floyd, 1984 to 1987*Mr. Bill Eaves, 1988 to 2002...
- Woodland High School
Private
- Community Christian School
- Mount Vernon Christian Academy
Geography
Stockbridge is located at 33°32′3"N 84°13′52"W (33.534068, -84.231185).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 13.4 square miles (34.7 km²), of which, 13.3 square miles (34.4 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.45%) is water.
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...
Interstate 675Interstate 675 (Georgia)Interstate 675 was built in southeast metro Atlanta during the mid-1980s to alleviate Interstate 75 to the west, for traffic bound to Interstate 285 east. It is 11.04 miles in length, running from I-75 in the south from the city of Stockbridge to I-285 at its north end...
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 138Georgia State Route 138State Route 138 is a highway in the U.S. state of Georgia. The highway is an east–west route that begins at the junction of S.R. 92 just north of Fairburn and ends at U.S. 78/S.R. 10 near Monroe. It totals approximately in length...
Georgia State Route 401
Georgia State Route 413
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 9,853 people, 3,749 households, and 2,654 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 900.0 people per square mile (347.4/km²). There were 3,991 housing units at an average density of 364.6 per square mile (140.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.63% White, 20.51% African American, 0.27% Native American, 4.55% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 1.44% 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 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.21% of the population.
There were 3,749 households out of which 39.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% 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, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 38.1% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 6.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $48,296, and the median income for a family was $51,341. Males had a median income of $38,457 versus $28,938 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 $21,380. 6.8% of the population and 6.0% of families were below the poverty line. 5.9% of those under the age of 18 and 17.1% of
those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Stockbridge is the home of the famous Eagle's Landing Country Club where many affluent and extravagant homes can be found.
Naming Mystery
On May 6, 1992, Mayor Rudy Kelley received a letter from Mr. John Stockbridge of South CarolinaSouth Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
requesting a letter of "Greeting" from the City of Stockbridge to the attendees of the first reunion of the Stockbridge family. In his letter, he mentioned that he grew up in Georgia and had been told as a child that the City of Stockbridge was named after his great-great-grandfather Levi Stockbridge
Levi Stockbridge
Levi Stockbridge was a farmer and scientist from Hadley, Massachusetts. He was instrumental in the early history of the Massachusetts Agricultural College now known as the University of Massachusetts, Amherst....
who traveled back and forth from the north to his property in Florida and stopped here on his journey.
Levi Stockbridge was born on March 13, 1820, and fits the time frame just prior to the Civil War. Levi would have been 27 years of age when Stockbridge was assigned a post office in 1847.
Until May 6, 1992, there had never been a name other than Professor Stockbridge. At that time, Levi Stockbridge was mentioned as the person for whom the city may have been named.
It is not certain that Levi Stockbridge was the individual for whom the citizens of the community named their post office and village. However, through John Stockbridge’s letters and many conversations with him, it is believed that this is the rightful Professor Stockbridge who had been unknown for 146 years.