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Getting to Know Thomaston-Upson County
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History
Upson County was created by Legislative Act of
December 15, 1824, from parts of Crawford and Pike Counties and was 59th in
order of counties organized in Georgia. The county was named for Stephen
Upson, a distinguished lawyer and legislator from Lexington, Georgia.
Thomaston was named for General Jett Thomas, officer of the State Militia in the
War of 1812. It was officially formed on June 11, 1825. Agriculture,
then textiles, were the first major occupations in Upson County. For more
on historical reference, contact the Thomaston-Upson Archives, 301 South Center
Street, 706-646-2437. |
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Location
Thomaston, the county seat of Upson County, is
located 68 miles south of Atlanta on US 19, 45 miles west of Macon on Highway
74, and 57 miles northeast of Columbus. |
Population
The City of Thomaston has approximately 10,000
residents, and Upson County has approximately 27,500. |
Area & Altitude
325.9 square miles; 980 feet above sea level. |
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Form of Government
Thomaston is set up on a city manager form of
government and is governed by a mayor and five city council members, four
elected by district and one at large, on staggered four-year terms. Upson
County has a county manager, five commissioners, one elected at large as chairman and four elected
by district, all on staggered four-year terms. |
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Employment
Manufacturing dominates the work force with sectors including
textiles, printing, plastics, lumber, food products, metal working, piano
production, and agriculture. |
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Airports
Thomaston-Upson County Regional Airport offers a 5,001-foot bituminous
runway. Services and navigational aids include aircraft tie-down, lighted
runway, hangers, terminal, mechanic, and aircraft refinisher. |
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Health Care
Upson Regional Medical Center is a full-service hospital
with 119 beds and 45 physicians and specialists on staff. The area also
has three nursing homes and several intermediate care facilities. |
Public Libraries
Hightower Memorial Library is located on West Gordon Street. |
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Municipal Services
The city has two fire stations, 25 firemen, and a Class 4 rating inside the city
limits; Upson County has volunteer fire departments manned by approximately 100
volunteers. The Thomaston Police Department has 52 full-time city police
personnel; 12 county patrol personnel provide protection outside city limits
through the Upson County Sheriff's Department. Garbage pickup is available
both inside and outside city limits. |
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News Media
The Thomaston Times, published three times weekly. Fun-101/WTGA FM and WTUC/ TV-10 are radio and local
television stations. |
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