Thomson, Georgia Explained

Official Name:Thomson, Georgia
Settlement Type:City
Mapsize:250px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Georgia
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:McDuffie
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:12.42
Area Land Km2:12.38
Area Water Km2:0.04
Area Total Sq Mi:4.79
Area Land Sq Mi:4.78
Area Water Sq Mi:0.01
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:6814
Population Density Km2:550.43
Population Density Sq Mi:1425.52
Timezone:Eastern (EST)
Utc Offset:−5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:−4
Coordinates:33.4672°N -82.4994°W
Elevation M:162
Elevation Ft:531
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:30824
Area Code:706
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:13-76280[2]
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:0356589[3]

Thomson (originally called Slashes) is a city and the county seat of McDuffie County, Georgia, United States.[4] The population was 6,814 at the 2020 census. Thomson's nickname is "The Camellia City of the South", in honor of the thousands of camellia plants throughout the city. Thomson was founded in 1837 as a depot on the Georgia Railroad. It was renamed in 1853 for railroad official John Edgar Thomson and incorporated February 15, 1854 as a town and in 1870 as a city. It is part of the Augusta – Richmond County Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Thomson, originally called "Slashes", was founded in 1837 as a depot on the Georgia Railroad. It was renamed in 1853 for railroad official John Edgar Thomson.[5] In 1870, Thomson was designated seat of the newly formed McDuffie County. It was incorporated as a town in 1854 and as a city in 1870.[6]

The Old Rock House, built in 1785, is said to be one of Georgia's oldest documented houses with its original design intact. Built by Thomas Ansley, the home is said to be the home of ancestors of former president Jimmy Carter. Thomson is also the birthplace of Populist leader and two-time presidential candidate Thomas E. Watson.

Thomson was home to minor league baseball. An affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, the Thomson Orioles became members of the 1956 six–team the Class D level Georgia State League. Playing home games at The Brickyard, Thomson led the league in attendance and qualified for the playoffs. The Georgia State League permanently folded following the 1956 season.[7] [8] [9]

Geography

Thomson is located at 33.4672°N -82.4994°W (33.467346, −82.499450).[10] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.95sqmi, all land. Thomson is considered part of the Central Savannah River Area geographical designation.

Demographics

Thomson racial composition as of 2020[11] !Race!Num.!Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)1,90327.93%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)4,48765.85%
Native American60.09%
Asian300.44%
Pacific Islander30.04%
Other/Mixed1972.89%
Hispanic or Latino1882.76%
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 6,814 people, 2,581 households, and 1,610 families residing in the city.

Landmarks

Education

The McDuffie County School District holds pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of four elementary schools, a middle school, a high school and an alternative school.[12] The district has 262 full-time teachers and over 4,312 students.[13]

Notable people

References

  1. Web site: 2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. December 18, 2021.
  2. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. 2008-01-31.
  3. Web site: US Board on Geographic Names. 2008-01-31. United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25.
  4. Web site: Find a County. 2011-06-07. National Association of Counties.
  5. Book: Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins . Winship Press . Krakow, Kenneth K. . 1975 . Macon, GA . 225 . 0-915430-00-2.
  6. Book: Historical Gazetteer of the United States . Routledge . May 13, 2013 . 30 November 2013 . Hellmann, Paul T. . 249. 978-1135948597 .
  7. Web site: 1956 Georgia State League. Baseball-Reference.com.
  8. Web site: The Brickyard. www.visitthomsonga.com.
  9. Book: The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball . Johnson . Lloyd . Wolff . Miles . Third . . 2007 . 978-1932391176.
  10. Web site: US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990. United States Census Bureau. 2011-04-23. 2011-02-12.
  11. Web site: Explore Census Data. 2021-12-15. data.census.gov.
  12. http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/ReportingFW.aspx?PageReq=111&PID=62&PTID=69&CountyId=697&T=0&FY=2009 Georgia Board of Education
  13. http://www.school-stats.com/GA/MCDUFFIE/MCDUFFIE_COUNTY.html School Stats