Historic Macon

PREFACE
While local history is a subject often overlooked by schools it is one that citizens seem to enjoy and want to know
about. It is essential for an understanding of a place and its development. This history is meant to provide some
understanding of Macon and how it came to be the city that it is. To cover Macon’s history in depth would require
several large volumes. This history is a compact synthesis compiled from many sources which were produced
through many years. All local historians owe a huge debt to John. C. Butler and his 1879 history of early Macon.
Similarly, Macon’s newspapers provide an indispensable source of information. In 1949 Julius Gholson, Clara Nell
Hargrove and Ida Young collaborated on a valuable history of the city to that date. In 1979 Nancy Briska Anderson
wrote an excellent history with appropriate illustrations for The Macon Telegraph and The Macon News. In 1989
Kristina Simms produced a similarly fine history for the Middle Georgia Historical Society. The works of these earlier
historians provided models as well as facts for this publication.
A vital part of the mission of the Historic Macon Foundation is the preservation of local history. While attention
is often focused on the foundation’s success in preserving the built environment, staff and members also strive to
protect Macon’s heritage in other forms. The foundation owns and adds to the Middle Georgia Archives housed at
the Washington Memorial Library. It provides presentations on local history for schools and interested groups and
operates the Sidney Lanier Cottage as a house museum. It presents regular lectures on history and records oral histories
from local residents. It is a natural connection for the Historic Macon Foundation to sponsor this book of
Macon history.
The staff of the Genealogical and Historical Room of the Washington Memorial Library constitutes a community
asset to be treasured. Especially, Muriel Jackson, Dr. Christopher Stokes, Willard Rocker and Christopher Osier are
invaluable to researchers. Gratitude is also owed to Tena Roberts and Sybil McNeil at Wesleyan’s library. The photographic
talents of Walter Elliott and the technological savvy of James H. Webb aided greatly in the production of this
history. Local institutions and business organizations who participated in the publication are to be congratulated for
supporting the preservation of Macon’s history and the Historic Macon Foundation.
Although historians may strive to achieve accuracy history is a compilation of accounts, many of which tend to
disagree with one another. Inaccuracies in this work are unintended, naturally, and regretted sincerely.
4 ✦ HISTORIC MACON