At the time Henry County was established in 1821, small settlements were springing up and eventually growing into towns. Our four cities were incorporated in the following order: McDonough (1823), Hampton (1872), Locust Grove (1893), and Stockbridge (1895). In the 1800’s, nearby rail access was essential for commerce and commerce was essential for stability and growth. This was one feature all four communities had in common. But that being said, each one also had its own unique features.

McDonough, the County Seat, struggled along for some years before and after the Civil War, but saw steady growth starting in the 1880’s with the coming of the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad. Thereafter its status as a market town increased with easier access to Atlanta and Macon. Cotton merchants, farms, and professionals prospered. Also during this time the old courthouse building (in the middle of what we now call the Square) was torn down and a new structure was built in 1897. With its additions in the latter half of the 20th Century, this is the handsome Courthouse we see today. There have been economic ups and downs (most notably the crash of the cotton market in 1921 and the Great Depression in 1929) in McDonough’s lifetime, but the trend has moved steadily on the upswing from World War II until today.

Hampton can boast at least two unique features, starting with its colorful name. It was originally called Bear Creek for the nearby creek and the nearby railroad stop. Bear Creek was home to the first railroad in the county, the Macon and Western. Much of the Bear Creek settlement was burned during Sherman’s March during the Civil War, and this situation gave rise to another unique feature about Hampton: It was the first town in the county to rebuild its business district with brick. Although incorporated as Bear Creek in 1872, the name was changed one year later to honor Confederate General Wade Hampton of South Carolina.

Locust Grove was a flourishing community several years before its incorporation due to the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad. Named for a large grove of flowering locusts, it boasted a post office, tavern, stores, churches, and a blacksmith shop. At around the time of incorporation there was also a prominent cotton gin. Surrounding the downtown proper were numerous farms and plantations. Perhaps the most singular feature of early Locust Grove was the Locust Grove Institute (1894 – 1929), a well-respected coeducational facility that served as a college preparatory school. It attracted students from other states and even Europe. The Institute’s academic building is still in existence today; it was purchased by the City in 1983 and now houses the Locust Grove Municipal Complex.

It’s generally believed that Stockbridge was named for Professor Levi Stockbridge, a well-respected educator who traveled through the area several times and taught school in farming communities. In the 1850’s Stockbridge was a small community centering on the Stagecoach Road area. But again we see evidence that railroad expansion played a huge part in “growing” the town. In 1881, Southern Railroad came through to connect Atlanta to Macon. Thereafter the community began to take shape. Stockbridge continued to grow steadily through the first part of the 20th Century, and then skyrocketed with its proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

Of course we should mention that all four of our towns greatly benefitted from the completion of Interstate 75, forming a sort of natural progression from county roads to rail lines to highways.

There’s much more to be said about our town’s colorful histories. The main sources here were: Mary Rowan Daniel’s First Families of Henry County; Vessie Thrasher Rainer’s Henry County Georgia: The Mother of Counties; and the individual cities’ websites. Happy Bicentennial, everyone.

Kaye West recently retired from the Henry County Library System. She enjoys reading, taking daily walks, and spending time with friends.  She lives in McDonough with her husband.