2011

My Georgia Book
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BY: Tiffanie Draughn

Mr. Holmes
5/12/2011
Contents
History of The State.......................................................................................2
Geography of the state...................................................................................7
Rivers in Georgia...........................................................................................7
State Symbols...............................................................................................8
Other State Seals........................................................................................19
Famous Georgians.......................................................................................20
Georgia’s Local Government..........................................................................32
Top Five Universities and Colleges in Georgia...................................................33
My Favorite Places.......................................................................................34
Pro Sports..................................................................................................35
History of The State
Georgia was The one of the original 13 colonies to take part in th

ef ormation of our
union. It became a state (achieved statehood) when it became the fourth state to approve (ratify) the
United States Constitution on January 2, 1788.

The Colony of Georgia Founded ... Georgia, was the 13th and last colony to be established. James
Edward Oglethorpe was the moving force behind the founding of the colony. Oglethorpe was a wealthy
Londoner who spent his life working with the poor.

Savannah was the site of the first permanent European settlement in Georgia, according to georgia.gov. In
1733, English settlers landed at Yamacraw Bluff along the Savannah River and founded the 13th
American colony.

About 35 families were given the honor to settle Georgia, 114 people in all. Each settler of the new land
was to receive free passage, land, tools, and supplies to help get him started. On 17 November 1732, the
ship "Ann" began the task of carrying OGLETHORPE and the first colonists to Georgia.
Paleo Indians

The earliest known culture is that of the Paleo Indians, whose culture lasted until about 10,000
years ago. The word Paleo comes from the Greek and means “very old” or “long ago.” Early people
sometimes can be identified by the material they used to make knives, scrapers, and points for
spears. Because most tools and spear points used by the people of this culture were made of stone,
this period is referred to as the paleolithic (old stone) age.

The Paleo culture also used an amazing invention called an atlatl. This smooth stone sling-like
implement threw darts far more accurately than if they were thrown by hand. It was like a human
missile launcher. It enabled the Paleo hunters to kill animals for food from far away rather than
forcing them to get too close to their prey. The Paleo people were nomadic (roaming) hunters who
wandered from place to place following herds of large animals. Hunters used long wooden spears to
kill large animals such as mammoths, bison, ground sloths, and mastodons, which they then used
for food. Archaeologists have also found large numbers of animal bones at the bases of cliffs. This
leads them to believe that, at times, the hunters chased the animals over the cliffs to kill them for
food. Remains of their dwelling places indicate that Paleo people lived in groups of 25 to 50 people.
Because these people moved around, however, they did not leave many artifacts in any one place.
Only a few Paleo sites have been found in Georgia. Archaeologists have uncovered artifacts from
the Paleo period in the Savannah River area, in the Ocmulgee River area, and in the Flint River at
Albany.
Archaic Indians

Early Archaic Period

During the early Archaic period, from about 8000 B.C. to about 5000 B.C., the people still hunted
large game. These animals, however, slowly became extinct either because of climate changes or
because too many of them were killed. Whatever the reason, Archaic Indians began hunting
smaller game, such as deer, bear, turkey, and rabbit. Hunters made their spears and points smaller.
The people also began to eat reptiles, game birds, and fish. The early Archaic people invented
useful items, such as choppers, drills, and chipping tools made from deer antlers. Some of the stone
artifacts found in Georgia are made from rock not often found in this state but common in other
parts of the country. This has led archaeologists to think there was some trading among different
groups of Indians. Middle Archaic Period

Geographers tell us that by 5000 B.C., when the middle Archaic period began, the area grew warm
and dry. Water levels along rivers and the coastal areas receded (moved back), and the people
began to eat shellfish, such as mussels and clams. Scientists have found hooks made from animal
bones that came from this period. These hooks were sometimes on the ends of long spears that were
weighted in the middle with polished stones. Because hunters could throw the weighted spears long
distances, food became easier to get. Finding more food meant the people did not need to move as
often as they once had. Evidence also suggests that several small groups joined together to establish
camps.

Late Archaic Period

A common artifact from the late Archaic period (4000 B.C. to 1000 B.C.) is the grooved axe.
Indians made this tool by putting a stone axe head on a wooden handle. Excavations (archaeological
diggings) of late Archaic settlements indicate that axes were used to clear trees and bushes around
the camp. The late Archaic people also saved seed to plant in the next growing season. It is thought
that horticulture, the science of cultivating plants and trees, began in the late Archaic period.
Woodland Indians

The Woodland culture developed about 1000 B.C. and lasted until about 1000 A.D. Evidence
suggests that, during that period, several hundred families egan banding together to form tribes. A
tribe is a group of people who share a common ancestry, name, and way of living. The tribes lived
in villages and built huts as houses. The Woodland people used small trees and bark to build dome-
shaped huts. They stuck the trees into the ground on one end, then bent them forward at the top
and tied them together. They then wove sticks in and out between the trees to form walls.
Sometimes they covered the sides of their huts with cane mats or tree bark. They made roofs of
grass or pieces of bark and left a small opening in the top of the hut so smoke from cooking fires
could get out. They also put fiber mats on the dirt floors for sleeping and sitting. Hunting became
easier for the Woodland culture, a period during which the bow and arrow came into use. Arrow
points were made out of stone, shark teeth, or deer antlers. Fishing, hunting, and gathering nuts
and berries remained important ways of getting food. The people also grew such things as squash,
wild greens, and sunflowers. The Woodland people learned to make pottery last longer. They found
clay along river banks and mixed it with sand. They rolled the mixture into strips and coiled the
strips on top of each other into the shape they wanted. They then made the clay smooth with a rock
and water. They used wooden paddles to make designs on the pottery. After the clay containers
dried in the sun, they were baked in a hot fire to make them hard enough to use for cooking.
Mississippian Indians

The Mississippian culture is considered to be the highest prehistoric civilization in Georgia. The culture,
which started about 700 A.D., is so called because the first things learned about it were from villages
excavated along the Mississippi River. The Mississippian age, sometimes called the Temple Mound
period, was a time when the people lived in villages, farmed, and were very religious. From
archaeological sites, we learn much about how the Mississippians lived. We know, for example, that the
people grew most of their food. Maize (corn), beans, pumpkins, and squash were all planted together in
hills. They knew tobacco to use in ceremonies. The Mississippians planted in different fields each year so
the soil would stay fertile. They prepared the land with stone or bone hoes and digging sticks. The
Mississippians began to dress and fix their hair differently. Their clothes were less simple, and they wore
beads and ear ornaments.

Sometimes they painted or tattooed their bodies. They also began wearing feather headdresses. Villages
grew, and several thousand families might live in a single settlement. They built centers for religious
ceremonies and as a home for the priest-chief, who was the head of the village. Moats and palisades
(wooden fences) often protected the villages. In some Georgia villages, guard towers have been found
100 feet apart along the palisades, indicating that they needed to defend themselves against tribal
enemies.
Geography of the state

The total area of Georgia is 59,441 square miles.

Rivers in Georgia.
Alapaha River, Alcovy River, Altamaha River, Apalachee River, Broad River, Canoochee River,
Chattahoochee River, Chattooga River (NE GA), Chattooga River (NW GA), Chestatee River,
Conasauga River, Coosa River, Coosawattee River, Etowah River, Flint River, Hiwassee River,
Ochlockonee River, Ocmulgee River, Oconee River, Ogeechee River, Ohoopee River, Oostanaula River,
St. Marys River, Satilla River, Savannah River, Soque River, South River, Suwannee River, Tallapoosa
River, Tallulah River Toccoa River, Tugaloo River,and Yellow River

Major Cities in Georgia

1 Atlanta 420,003

2 Augusta 195,844

3 Columbus 189,885

4 Savannah 136,286

5 Athens 115,452
State Symbols
State Bird………………………………………….Brown Thrasher

The brown thrasher officially became Georgia’s state bird

in 1970, although Governor Eugene Talmadge had issued a proclamation in 1935 naming it a symbol of
the state. Farmers, in particular, like to see the longbeaked bird nesting in low bushes on their land
because the thrasher’s diet includes grasshoppers, worms, and caterpillars, which can be destructive to
crops.
State Butterfly……………………………………Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

The tiger swallowtail butterfly was named the

state butterfly in 1988. This gorgeous butterfly has
large yellow and black striped markings on its
wings. Like the honey bee, the tiger swallowtail
butterfly helps pollinate plants.
State Creed………………………………..........Accepting, as I do, the principles upon which Georgia
was founded, not for self but others;—its Democratic form of Government, based on ‘Wisdom, Justice
and Moderation’; — its natural resources;—its Educational, Social and Religious advantages, making
it a most desirable place to live— I will strive to be a pure upright Citizen, rejecting the evils—loving
and emulating the good. I further believe it is my duty to defend it against all enemies, to honor and
obey its laws, to apply the Golden Rule in all my dealings with my fellow Georgians. I feel a sense of
pride in the history and heroic deeds accomplished by my forebears, and shall endeavor to so live that
my State will be proud of me for doing my bit to make my State a better Commonwealth for future
generations.
State Crop…………………….…………………..The peanut

The peanut was selected as Georgia’s state crop

because Georgia produces almost 50 percent of the total U.S. peanut crop and provides over 50 percent of
the peanuts used in making peanut butter. The state leads the nation in peanut and peanut product exports.
Originating in Brazil and Peru from the earliest days of Spanish explorers, the peanut was introduced to
this country by Africans and quickly became a favorite food. In 2002, eighty Georgia counties produced
over 2 billion pounds of peanuts.

State Fish…………………………………………..Largemouth Bass

The state fish, the largemouth bass, is found mostly in warm water streams and lakes. Georgia boasts one

of the world’s records for the biggest largemouth bass ever caught.

State Flag…………………………………………..
The present state flag was adopted in 2003 after a long controversy. The flag features the “Stars and Bars”
with the state’s seal on a blue background in the upper left corner. The 2003 flag replaced a flag that had
been approved in January 2001. That flag had a Georgia state seal on a blue background. A banner
entitled “Georgia’s History” was placed under the seal and contained small versions of all five of the flags
that had played a part of Georgia’s history. The 2001 flag replaced the flag that had been adopted in 1956.
The 1956 flag incorporatedthe Confederate battle flag, which many people believed was racist. Many
believed that the 2001 flag was too much of a compromise.

State Seal…………………………………….
Georgia’s state seal was adopted in
1799. It depicts an arch, which contains
the word “Constitution,” supported by
three columns, representing the three
branches of government. A man with a
drawn sword stands between two of the
columns. The man with the sword
represented the military aid Georgia
provided in defense of the Constitution.
State Flower…………….. Cherokee Rose

The Cherokee Rose was adopted as a state symbol in 1916, making it one of the state’s oldest symbols.
The rose originally came from China and was introduced into the New World by Spanish settlers.
According to the “Legend of the Cherokee Rose,” the Cherokee women were so brokenhearted at leaving
their lands in Georgia that the chiefs prayed for a sign to soothe their grief and give them strength. “The
Great One” told them that each time the mothers’ tears fell to the ground, a flower would spring up with
white petals for the tears, a gold center to represent the gold stolen by the settlers who forced them off
their lands, and seven leaves on each stem to represent the seven Cherokee clans. Today the rose
growsalong the path of the Trail of Tears from Georgia to Oklahoma.
 State Fossil………………………………………Shark
Tooth

The shark tooth, Georgia’s state fossil, is a common fossil

in the Coastal Plain region. In fossil form, the shark tooth
can be traced back 375 million years, but the oldest shark
tooth found in the state was 60 million years old. Fossilized
shark teeth are found in a variety of colors ranging from
black and gray to white, brown, blue, and reddish brown. If
you are lucky enough to find a red shark tooth from the
rivers around Camden County, you may really have
something valuable because some are as much as 15
million years old.

State Fruit………………………………………..Peach
The peach is our state fruit, and Georgia ranks third in the nation in peach production. One of the state’s
nicknames is “The Peach State.” Our Georgia peaches are known for their superior flavor, texture, and
appearance. They are good for our eyesight, fat-free, a source of fiber, and low in cholesterol and sodium!

State Song…………………………………………… “Georgia on My Mind”

Georgia on My Mind

Written by: Stuart Gorrell

Composed by: Hoagy Carmichael

Georgia, Georgia, the whole day through

 Just an old sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind.

Georgia, Georgia, a song of you

Comes as sweet and clear as moonlight through the pines.

Other arms reach out to me

Other eyes smile tenderly

Still in peaceful dreams I see

The road leads back to you.

Georgia, Georgia, no peace I find

Just an old sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind.

Melodies bring memories

That linger in my heart

Make me think of Georgia

Why did we ever part?

Some sweet day when blossoms fall

And all the world's a song

I'll go back to Georgia

'Cause that's where I belong.

Other State Seals

State Gem…………………………………………Quartz

State Insect………………………………………… Social Honey Bee

State Atlas………………………………………….. Atlas of Georgia

State Ballet………………………………………… Atlanta Ballet

State Beef………………………………………….. Cook Off “Shoot the Bull”

State Folk Dance………………………………… Square Dancing

State Folk Festival………………………………. The Georgia Folk Festival

State Folk Life Play………………………………. “Swamp Gravy”

State Historic Drama……………………………. “The Reach of Song”

State Motto……………………………………. “Wisdom, Justice & Moderation”

State Musical Theater……………………. “Jekyll Island Musical Theatre Festival”

State Nicknames……………………………… Peach State, Empire State of the South

State Peanut Monument…………………. Turner County Peanut Monument

State Pork Cook Off………………………….. “Slosheye Trail Big Pig Jig”

State Poultry…………………………………….. Chicken

State Prepared Food…………………………. Grits

State Railroad Museum……………………… Historic Railroad Shops

State School……………………………………….. Plains High School

State Tartan…………………………………………. Georgia tartan

State Theater……………………………………….. The Springer Opera House

State Transportation……………………………… Southeastern Railway Museum

State Waltz…………………………………………….. “Our Georgia”

Famous Georgians
Kelly Rowland (singer, actress)-Atlanta, Georgia
Raven-Symone (actress, singer)-Atlanta, Georgia
Chris Tucker (actor, comedian)-Atlanta, Georgia

Alice Walker (author)-Eatonton, Georgia

Bobby Jones (golfer)-Atlanta, Georgia
Dakota Fanning (actress)-Conyers, Georgia
Spike Lee (director, producer)-Atlanta, Georgia
Juliette Gordon Low (founder of U.S. girl scouts)-Savannah, Georgia
Elijah Muhammad ( Poole ) (religious leader)- Sandersville, Georgia
Bert Parks (host of Miss America Pagent)-Atlanta, Georgia
David Walker (astronaut)-Columbus, Georgia
Historical Events

~ Historic Saint Marys, Georgia is the 2nd oldest city in the nation.
~ The pirate Edward "Blackbeard" TEACH made a home on Blackbeard Island.

~ Known as the sweetest onion in the world, the Vidalia onion can only be grown in the fields around
Vidalia and Glennville.

~ Coco-Cola was invented in May 1886 by Dr. John S. PEMBERTON in Atlanta.

~ Chickamauga National Park is the site of the bloodiest battle in American History.

~ Savannah, the oldest city in Georgia, was the landing site for General James Edward OGLETHORPE,
the founder of Georgia.

Branches of State Government

 Executive
 Judicial
 Legislative

Georgia’s Local Government

Terms & Powers
 Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia operates under a Mayor / Commission / Administrator form of
government. The Mayor is the Chief Executive of Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia. The Mayor is
elected on a county-wide basis by the electors of the entire county in a non-partisan general election. Each
mayor serves a four-year term and is eligible to serve two consecutive four-year terms.

Our current mayor, Deke Copenhaver, was elected in 2005 to fill the unexpired term of former Mayor
Bob Young. In November 2006 he was elected to a four-year term which began on January 1, 2007, and
continues through December 31, 2010.

Responsibilities

 The Mayor possesses and exercises the following executive and administrative powers and
duties:
 Presiding at all meetings of the Commission
 Serving as the official head of Richmond County and the City of Augusta for the service of
process and for ceremonial purposes
 Administering oaths and to take affidavits
 Signing all written contracts entered into by the Commission on behalf of Richmond County
Georgia and the City of Augusta and other contracts and instruments executed by the county and
city which by law are required to be in writing
 Ensuring that all laws, ordinances, and resolutions of Richmond County and the City of Augusta
are faithfully executed
 Exercising such other powers and perform such other duties as may be required by ordinance or
resolution of the Commission.
Top Five Universities and Colleges in Georgia
Emory University

Emory University was founded by the Methodist Church in 1836. The university is in Oxford, a suburban
town just a few miles from the state capital, Atlanta and about 6,660 undergraduate students currently
attend. Emory is best known for studies in medicine and healthcare. The university, which started as a
college, has several different individual research centers for the study of medicine, law and healthcare
among other disciplines. Emory University is ranked 17th by the U.S. News and World Report.

Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) was founded on October 13,1885. Georgia Tech is
located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia's capital. The university currently has approximately 12,360
undergraduate students. Georgia Tech has a long history of being a leader in technology, science and
economics. This university regularly makes the U.S. News and World Report's list of top public
universities and is currently at 35th. In addition to previously mentioned programs, it offers degrees in
business and government, as well as architecture.

University of Georgia

The University of Georgia was founded in 1801 by the Georgia General Assembly. The University of
Georgia is located in Athens, Georgia, about 60 miles northeast of Atlanta. Currently, there are
approximately 25,430 undergraduates in attendance. This university has several excellent programs, such
as in arts and music and is currently ranked 59th by the U.S. News and World Report. The University of
Georgia is comprised of 16 different colleges, such as the Grady College, which administers the Peabody
Awards.

Georgia State University

Georgia State University was founded in 1913 as Georgia's 'School of Commerce.' The university is
located in downtown Atlanta, the state's capital. Georgia State University is the second largest university
in the state with approximately 19,000 undergraduate students. The university is known for its business,
law and science programs. Georgia State University is very diverse with students from all over Georgia,
every state in the country and over 145 foreign countries in attendance.

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University was founded in 1963. The university is located in Kennesaw, Georgia, which
is about 20 miles north of Atlanta, the state's capital. Kennesaw State University is the third largest in the
state's university system and has about 17,690 undergraduate students. The university is best known for
its business, nursing and education programs. Kennesaw State University has a true mix of students,
about 20 percent are ethnic minorities, and the students' median age is 26.

My Favorite Places
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site #1
Oakland Cemetery #2

Turner Field #3

Philips Arena #4

of 160 attractions

Wren's Nest #5

Atlanta History Center #6

The Breman Jewish Heritage & Holocaust Museum #7

Centennial Olympic Park #8

Federal Reserve Bank #10

Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum #11

State Capitol #12

NEW World of Coca-Cola #13

Fox Theatre #14

Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern #16

Americas Mart Atlanta #17

Zoo Atlanta #18

Georgia Aquarium #19

Jimmy Carter Library & Museum #20

The Tabernacle #22

Virginia-Highland #23

Pro Sports

VP Volleyball
A The Association of Volleyball Professionals, or AVP, is a beach volleyball tournament that hosts the
best players in the U.S. Its summer tour starts in April and continues almost every weekend until the end
of September. The winter tour starts in January and hosts tournaments Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
until the end of February.

MLB Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Braves baseball has given Atlanta baseball fans plenty to cheer about in the years since the sports
franchise moved to Georgia. Since 1966, Atlanta's major-league baseball team has made five trips to the
World Series (1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1999) and won the coveted championship once (in 1995). More
than 20 years before the Atlanta Braves baseball team clinched the World Series title, Atlanta sports fans
witnessed a monumental moment in MLB history. In 1974, in the days when the National League
baseball team played in Atlanta Stadium, the Atlanta Braves' Hank Aaron batted in his 715th career
homer and surpassed Babe Ruth's long-time home run record.

NBA Atlanta Hawks

Since relocating to the metro area in 1968 from St. Louis, the NBA's Hawks have called Atlanta home for
more than 43 seasons. From "Pistol" Pete Maravich to the "Human Highlight Film," Dominique Wilkins,
the Hawks are a franchise rich with history and tradition. Having participated in the playoffs in more than
half of their seasons in Atlanta, the franchise is still seeking to win its first NBA championship (the
franchise did win an NBA title in 1958 in St. Louis). With nine 50-win seasons and four Division
championships to their credit, the Hawks have established a solid tradition over the last four decades.

NFL Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons football has brought NFL football action to Atlanta sports fans for more than 40 years.
When the pro football team was created in 1965, the Atlanta Falcons became the first NFL franchise in
the southeastern United States. In 1966, the NFL's Atlanta Falcons recorded another first — their first
victory, a win over the San Francisco 49ers during pre-season play. Atlanta's favorite football team made
its first (and so far only) Super Bowl appearance in 1998. That was the year the Atlanta Falcons won the
NFC West Division championship but lost to Denver during Super Bowl XXXIII.

NHL Atlanta Thrashers

The Atlanta Thrashers has been Atlanta's favorite professional ice hockey team for nearly a decade. The
history of Atlanta Thrashers hockey dates back to 1997 when the NHL awarded an expansion franchise to
the city of Atlanta, which had lost its only NHL team years before. Beginning with the 1999-2000 season
— the first year of play for the Atlanta Thrashers — Atlanta could lay claim to an NHL team once again.

NASL Atlanta Silverbacks

The Atlanta Silverbacks compete in the NASL Division. The North American Soccer League is home to
current and future stars of the game from across the United States and surrounding islands.

The Silverbacks play at Atlanta Silverbacks Park in Chamblee, 20 minutes north of downtown Atlanta.
The regular season begins in early April and continues through September.
Works Cited

www.historycentral.com/TheColonies/Georgia.html

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_founded_georgia

http://gahistory.i-found-it.net/georgiahistory1.html

http://sites.google.com/site/georgiaregions/