Bishop, Georgia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bishop, Georgia
Town
Location in Oconee County and the state of Georgia
Country	United States
State	Georgia
County	Oconee
Area
• Total	0.79 sq mi (2.05 km2)
• Land	0.78 sq mi (2.03 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation	784 ft (239 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	332
• Density	424.01/sq mi (163.71/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	30621
Area code(s)	706
FIPS code	13-08200
GNIS feature ID	2405269

Bishop is a small town in Oconee County, Georgia, USA. It's known for its charming history, fun community events, and beautiful countryside. In 2020, about 332 people lived there. Bishop is part of the larger Athens-Clarke County area. It is about 12 miles southwest of Athens, a bigger city with the University of Georgia.

The town has a special historic area called the Bishop Historic District. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. This means it's an important place to protect because of its history.

History of Bishop

The town of Bishop is named after W. H. Bishop. He was a local landowner and also a politician. A post office opened here in 1889. The town officially became a town in 1890.

In the 1920s, Bishop was a busy place. More than 300 people lived there. It had many businesses, churches, and schools. The town's economy relied on cotton farming. Railroads and cotton farms helped Bishop grow at first. Like many small towns in the South, Bishop faced challenges during the Great Depression and World Wars. Even so, the people of Bishop kept their strong community spirit. They worked to keep their small-town feel, which you can still see today.

Geography and Climate

Bishop is located at 33°48′59″N 83°26′11″W / 33.81639°N 83.43639°W / 33.81639; -83.43639. The town covers about 0.8 square miles (2.05 square kilometers) of land.

The area around Bishop has rolling hills and open countryside. This is typical of northeastern Georgia. Bishop has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot summers and mild winters.

Economy in Bishop

Bishop's economy mainly depends on small local businesses and farming. Some people also work in service jobs. Many residents travel to Athens for work, school, and other services. They often work in education, healthcare, or retail stores.

Education for Students

The Oconee County School District serves Bishop. Students usually attend High Shoals Elementary School. After that, they go to Oconee County Middle School. Finally, they attend Oconee County High School.

Community and Culture

Even though Bishop is a small town, it has a lively community spirit. The town hosts many events throughout the year.

Bishop Boogie Festival

Bishop is famous for its annual Bishop Boogie festival. This popular event happens every fall. It features live music, food trucks, and a market where artists sell their crafts. There's also a 5K race. The festival takes place along Old Bishop Road. It has fun activities for families, like a kids' zone with bouncy houses. You can also find local beers there. The Bishop Boogie is a big event on the town's social calendar. It brings together residents and visitors to celebrate Bishop's friendly community.

Community Engagement Committee

The town is home to the Bishop Community Engagement Committee. This group works to protect and improve Bishop. They meet regularly and work with the town council. They help organize events and projects, like putting up the historic marker.

Notable Landmarks in Bishop

Bishop has several important landmarks. They show the town's history and community spirit.

Bishop Cemetery

The Bishop Cemetery is a historic burial ground. Many of the town's first families and long-time residents are buried here. The old gravestones show the lives of people who lived in Bishop over a century ago. Locals often visit the cemetery to remember the town's past. It is a quiet place that shows Bishop's respect for its history.

Bishop Town Well

The Bishop Town Well is another important landmark. It reminds people of a time when wells were key meeting spots for the community. The well is not used anymore. However, it shows Bishop's past as a stop along the railroad. A well was needed for the railroad company to build a depot here. Today, it stands for the town's self-reliance and strength.

Bishop Town Hall

The Bishop Town Hall is where the local government works. It shows how the town works to keep its community close-knit. The mayor and town council have their offices here. They handle town matters, hold meetings, and help residents. The building itself is an old historical home. It represents the town's goal of having a small, involved community through local government.

Bishop Community Center

The Bishop Community Center was once one of Bishop's first churches. Now, it is a lively place for gatherings, parties, and town events. It was also the first location for the Oconee County Senior Center. It hosted many activities for older residents of the county.

Bishop Historic District and Marker

The Bishop Historic District includes several old buildings from the town's early days. They show architectural styles like Queen Anne and Colonial Revival. This area has historic homes, old shops, and churches. They reflect how the town grew in the early 1900s. When you walk through the district, you can see well-preserved buildings. They tell the story of Bishop's farming and community-focused past. A bronze historic marker, located by the Town Well, remembers the historic district.

These landmarks together show Bishop's history, culture, and civic pride. They help residents feel connected to their past and invite visitors to learn about the town's story.

Population and People

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 332 people living in Bishop. There were 115 households and 102 families in the town.

See also

In Spanish: Bishop (Georgia) para niños