Valdosta, Georgia

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Valdosta, Georgia, USA
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nickname = Azalea City, Winnersville, Biggest little city in Georgia
settlement_type = City
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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Lowndes County and the state of Georgia


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Georgia
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Lowndes
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leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = John J. Fretti
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area_magnitude = 1 E9
unit_pref = Imperial
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area_total_km2 = 78.4
area_land_km2 = 77.5
area_water_km2 = 0.9
area_total_sq_mi = 30.3
area_land_sq_mi = 29.9
area_water_sq_mi = 0.4
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population_as_of = 2000
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population_total = 43,724
population_density_km2 = 563.9
population_density_sq_mi = 1460.3
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timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 30 |latm = 50 |lats = 48 |latNS = N
longd = 83 |longm = 16 |longs = 59 |longEW = W
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 67
elevation_ft = 220
postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 31600-31699
area_code = 229
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 13-78800GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0324649GR|3
website = http://www.valdostacity.com/
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Valdosta is the county seat of Lowndes County, Georgia, United States. It is the principal city of the Valdosta, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 Census, the city had a total population of 43,724; by the 2006 census estimate, it had grown slightly to 45,529 [cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/city/Valdosta-Georgia.html|title=Valdosta, GA Detailed Profile|accessdate=2008-01-01] . The 2007 estimate showed a population of 130,170 in the Valdosta metropolitan area. [cite web | url = http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2007/CBSA-EST2007-01.csv | title = Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2007 (CBSA-EST2007-01) | format = CSV | work = 2007 Population Estimates | publisher = United States Census Bureau, Population Division | date = 2008-03-27 | accessdate = 2008-03-29]

It is called the Azalea City as the plant grows in profusion there; the city hosts an annual Azalea Festival in March.

Located in the far southern portion of the state, near the Florida line, it is a commercial center of South Georgia with numerous manufacturing plants. The surrounding area produces tobacco, naval stores, particularly turpentine, as well as pine lumber, and pulpwood. According to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Valdosta is called the "Naval Stores Capital of the World" because it supplies 80% of the world demand for naval stores. [cite web | url = http://www.dca.state.ga.us/CityScapes/comm.asp?D=1&city=Valdosta&YRID= | title=Georgia Department of Community Affairs' Data for Valdosta|accessdate=2008-07-28]

Moody Air Force Base is located nearby.

Valdosta has a number of picturesque historic districts including the well maintained Fairview Historic District which includes the Roberts House, the oldest home in Lowndes County. Another famous building, The Crescent, has all the appearance of an antebellum mansion on oak-shaded grounds, although it was actually built in the early 20th century.

The city has a vibrant art scene supported actively by Valdosta State University, the Southern Artists League, the Turner Art Center, and the Snake Nation Press.

History

Valdosta was incorporated on December 7, 1860, at which time the county government was moved from nearby Troupville. [http://valdosta.georgia.gov/05/home/0,2230,8612891,00.html;jsessionid=2AA6BDE2C6D608095EC9E4AACF298E81] Troupville was a steamboat landing on the Withlacoochee River, but when the Gulf and Atlantic Railroad was built four miles (about 6 km) away, the inhabitants simply picked up the town and moved it to the railroad. There are still buildings in Valdosta that made the move.Fact|date=January 2008

Troupville, now virtually abandoned, had been named after Governor George Troup, for whom Troup County, Georgia was also named. Valdosta was named after Troup's estate, Val d'Osta, which itself was named after the "Valle d'Aosta" in Italy. Recipes such as "Fonduta alla Valdostana" and "Pollo alla Valdostana" refer to the Italian region and use Fontina cheese made there, and not to the south Georgia city. The city is located on the Atlantic Coastal Plain and has no valley.

Many of Valdosta's early pioneers are buried in Cat Creek Cemetery on the outskirts of modern Valdosta. Common surnames are etched on the fading tombstones that dot the landscape of this ancient burial ground.

After the American Civil War, over one hundred African Americans, families of farmers, craftsmen, and laborers, emigrated from Lowndes County to Arithington, Liberia, Africa in 1871 and 1872, looking for a better life. This was made possible with the support of the American Colonization Society. The first group, which left in 1871, was led by Jefferson Bracewell, and the second group was led by Aaron Miller. [cite web|url=http://www.valdosta.edu/library/find/arch/research/liberiaEmigrants.htm|title=Lowdnes County Georgia List of Emigrants to Arithington, Liberia|accessdate=2008-01-08|author=Eric Dewayne Jackson|year=2003]

In November 1902, the Harris Nickel-Plate Circus' prize elephant, Gypsy, went on a rampage and killed her trainer James O'Rourke. After terrorizing the town for a couple of hours, she ran off to Cherry Creek, north of Valdosta. Gypsy was chased by Police Chief Calvin Dampier and a posse. Gypsy was killed by a shot from a Krag-Jørgensen rifle and buried on-site; James O'Rourke was buried in Sunset Hill Cemetery in Valdosta. [cite web|url=http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Multimedia.jsp?id=m-2467|title=Gypsy|accessdate=2007-12-31|work=The New Georgia Encyclopedia] [cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=990DE3DC1E30E132A25757C2A9679D946397D6CF|title=Elephant Kills Keeper|accessdate=2007-12-31|date=1902-11-24|work=The New York Times]

The county's courthouse was built around 1905 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Valdosta was once the center of long-staple cotton growing in the United States until the boll weevil finally killed the crop in 1917 and agriculture turned to tobacco and pine timber.

The "Valdosta Daily Times" has twice reported that the world's second Coca-Cola bottling plant was at one time located in Valdosta. [cite web|url=http://www.valdostadailytimes.com/local/local_story_272230343.html|title=A trip through time|accessdate=2008-01-01|author=Jessica Pope|date=2007-09-29|work=The Valdosta Daily Times] [cite web|url=http://www.valdostadailytimes.com/business/local_story_356231757.html|title=Breathing fresh life into Downtown|accessdate=2008-01-01|author=Billy Bruce|date=2007-12-22|work=The Valdosta Daily Times]

The local economy received an important boost when Interstate 75 was routed and built through the area. Many vacationers on their way to Florida found Valdosta a convenient "last stop" on their way to Walt Disney World and the Orlando area, especially those coming from the Midwest and Ontario, Canada.Fact|date=January 2008

A high school oratory contest once held in Valdosta was notable for the second place winner, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

President George W. Bush received his National Guard flight training at Valdosta's Moody Air Force Base in November 1968.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' "Monthly Labor Review", the first automated teller machine (ATM) was installed at C&S Bank in Valdosta. [cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1153/is_n8_v119/ai_18749022|title=Commercial banking transformed by computer technology|accessdate=2008-01-01|author=Teresa L. Morisi|year=1996|month=August|work=Monthly Labor Review]

Valdosta was named one of 2003's "Top 100 U.S. Small Towns" by "Site Selection" magazine. [cite web|url=http://www.siteselection.com/issues/2004/mar/p185/|title=The Road to Boomtown|accessdate=2007-12-31|author=Ron Starner|year=2004|month=March|work=Site Selection] In 1910, "Fortune" magazine named Valdosta the richest city in America by per capita income. [cite web|url=http://www.georgiaretire.com/main1/staticpages/index.php?page=20040406113914704|title=Triple Crown Hometowns|accessdate=2008-01-08]

Geography

Valdosta is located at coor dms|30|50|48|N|83|16|59|W|city (30.846661, -83.283101)GR|1.

It is located in the coastal plain of Georgia and thus has a virtually flat landscape. Valdosta lies 240 miles south of the Georgia State Capital at Atlanta. Highways stretch for miles with hardly a curve, rise, or fall. The 60 miles (97km) of railway between Valdosta and Waycross was once the longest straight stretch of railroad in the world.Fact|date=December 2007

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 30.3 square miles (78.4 km²). 29.9 square miles (77.5 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.9 km²) of it is water. The total area is 1.09% water.

Demographics

MSA

According to the Bureau of Census, the Valdosta, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had an estimated population of 126,305 and ranked #294 in the U.S. in 2005. (The MSA consisists of Lowndes, Brooks, Lanier, and Echols Counties.)

City

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 43,724 people, 16,692 households, and 10,232 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,460.3 people per square mile (563.9/km²). There were 18,907 housing units at an average density of 631.5/sq mi (243.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 47.71% White, 48.49% African American, 0.23% Native American, 1.40% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races, and 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.18% of the population.

There were 16,692 households out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were married couples living together, 19.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.7% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 18.4% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 17.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 86.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,046, and the median income for a family was $38,174. Males had a median income of $27,281 versus $20,807 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,472. About 18.8% of families and 24.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.1% of those under age 18 and 18.9% of those age 65 or over.

Past populations

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chools

The city of Valdosta houses 2 school systems: Valdosta (the city school system) and Lowndes (the county school system). There are also numerous private schools.

Valdosta is also the home of Valdosta State University (VSU), founded in 1906 as South Georgia State Normal College for Women. It became part of the University System of Georgia in 1950. Valdosta State College achieved university status and became VSU in 1993.

An extension of Georgia Military College is in the city limits, and Valdosta Technical College is located off of Interstate 75.

=High School Football= Valdosta has a strong high school football tradition. The Valdosta High School Wildcats have one of the most successful high school football programs in the country. [ [http://www.nfhs.org/core/contentmanager/uploads/PDFs/Publications/football_part1.pdf National High School Sports Record Book] ] Its record from 1913 through 2004 includes six national championships, 23 state championships, and 41 regional championships. Cross-town rival Lowndes High School has also built a strong program, winning five state titles since 1980 (including 1999, 2004, 2005 and 2007). [ [http://www.lowndesfootball.com/history.htm] ] Valwood School has won three GISA state football titles in Class A for the years 1985-1987 and 1999-2000. [ [http://www.gisastats.com/state_champions_by_school.php?school=Valwood%20School] ]

In 2001, Valdosta High School's football coach, Mike O'Brien, told a national gathering of coaches:

Our program is 86 years old, and has been through 12 head coaches. We have only been below a .500 winning percentage five out of the 86 years. We have accumulated 39 region championships, 23 state championships, and six national championships. Here is a little fact to help you better understand how tough our region is. A team from our region has either won or played for a state championship 40 times in last 52 years. Valdosta is the winningest high school football team in America. Our record is 782-160-33. To put that into a better perspective for you, we could lose every game for the next 60 years and still have a winning percentage above .500. Of course if this were to occur I would no longer be the coach.Fact|date=January 2008

The present record as stands at the end of the 2007 Season is 838-191-33Fact|date=January 2008

Due to the Valdosta High School football team's record as well as other championships by academic institutions in the town, on July 28, 2008, Valdosta was named ESPN's "Titletown USA" based on 29.2% of fan votes on their website poll.

College Football

Valdosta State University began fielding an NCAA Division II football program in 1982. The Blazers won the NCAA Division II National Championship on December 15, 2007 with a victory over NW Missouri State, 25-20. This was their second National Championship, having won their first in 2004 over Pittsburg State, 35-31. Their first appearance in the Division II National Championship Game was in 2002, when VSU fell to Grand Valley State, 31-24. The Blazers also have won 5 Gulf South Conference football championships (1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004). Two notable alumni are Jessie Tuggle, National Football League linebacker from 1987-2000 playing his entire career with the Atlanta Falcons, and Chris Hatcher, previous head coach of Valdosta State and current coach of the Georgia Southern Eagles. Hatcher amassed a 68-10 record with one national championship and four conference crowns during his six-year tenure at Valdosta State. David Dean, former VSU offensive coordinator, is the current football head coach at Valdosta State University.

Transportation

The major transportation route is provided mainly by Interstate 75. U.S. Highway 41and U.S. Highway 84 both bisect the city. The Valdosta Regional Airport is serviced by DayJet to Savannah, Montgomery, Tallahassee, Pensacola, Lakeland/Tampa and other cities nonstop and by Delta Air Lines to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. There is also a Greyhound bus station.

Media

Newspaper

*The Valdosta Daily Times

Radio

*WDDQ TALK 92.1 FM Talk radio
*WAY 88.1 FM
*WVVS 90.9 FM VSU station
*WWET 91.7 FM
*WAAC 92.9 FM Young country
*WQPW 95.7 FM Mix format
*WLYX 96.7 FM Urban
*WAFT 101.1 FM Christian
*WWRQ 107.9 FM Rock

Notable residents and natives

*James Lord Pierpont, the author of "Jingle Bells," lived many years in Valdosta, where he taught music. He later moved to Quitman, Georgia, where he died.
*Buck Belue, former Valdosta High School standout and quarterback of the University of Georgia's 1980 national championship team, now a radio talk show host
*Vincent Burns, NFL defensive tackle Indianapolis Colts
*Randall Godfrey, NFL linebacker, Seattle Seahawks & San Diego Chargers
*Desmond (Desi) Relaford, Major League Baseball infielder, Texas Rangers
*Bill Hicks, comedian
*Domonique Simone, Adult film star
*Doc Holliday, Western dentist/gunfighter/gambler
*George Baker (spiritual leader), known as Father Divine
*Jay Ratliff, NFL defensive end, Dallas Cowboys
*Sonny Shroyer, actor best known for role as Enos Strate on "The Dukes of Hazzard", born in Valdosta on August 28, 1935.
*Demond Wilson, Minister and TV actor known for playing Lamont on "Sanford and Son"
*Ossie Davis, award-winning actor, playwright, director, and social activist.
*Rhett Akins, Country music artist.
*Billy Joe Royal, Country music artist.
*J.D. Drew, Major League Baseball right fielder, Boston Red Sox

Valdosta in fiction

*Parts of Fannie Flagg's novel "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe" are set in Valdosta.
*In Allen Steele's science fiction novel "Coyote Frontier", Valdosta in the year 2070 is the site of Camp Buchanan, an internment camp for dissident liberal intellectuals.
*Scenes from "Ernest in the Army" take place in Valdosta, even though the entire film was shot in South Africa.
*Parts of Fame and Glory In Freedom Georgia

References

External links

*wikitravelpar|Valdosta
* [http://www.valdostacity.com/ City of Valdosta]
* [http://www.valdostawildcats.com/default.asp Valdosta Wildcats Football Team]

Higher Education

* [http://www.valdostatech.edu Valdosta Technical College]
* [http://www.valdosta.edu Valdosta State University]