Clinton, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clinton, Georgia
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Unincorporated settlement
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Lowther Hall in 1934
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 Clinton, Georgia
Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Clinton, Georgia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Georgia |
| County | Jones |
| Elevation | 548 ft (167 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 478 |
| GNIS feature ID | 355194 |
Clinton is a small, historic community in Jones County, Georgia, in the United States. It used to be the main town, or "county seat," for Jones County. Today, it's located very close to Gray, Georgia. The oldest part of Clinton is now a special area called the Old Clinton Historic District, which helps preserve its history.
Contents
A Look Back: Clinton's Story
How Clinton Started
Clinton was first known as Albany. It became the very first county seat for Jones County when the county was created in December 1807. A county seat is like the main town where the government offices are located.
The town was later renamed Clinton. This name likely came from DeWitt Clinton, who was a governor of New York, or perhaps his uncle, George Clinton, who was a Vice President of the United States. The Georgia General Assembly, which is like Georgia's state parliament, officially made Clinton the county seat on December 22, 1808.
The "Town of Clinton" was officially recognized by the Georgia General Assembly in 1816. A post office opened in Clinton in 1821 and stayed open until 1924.
Growing and Changing
In the early and mid-1800s, Clinton grew into an important center for business and the cotton trade. It was one of the biggest cities in Georgia at that time. Many beautiful homes were built during this period. The famous Marquis de Lafayette even visited Clinton in 1825 during his tour of the U.S.
Clinton was also home to the Clinton Female Seminary, a school for girls. It started in 1821 and opened in 1828. This school was an early version of what would later become Wesleyan College in nearby Macon.
Challenges and Decline
Clinton began to face big challenges. In 1864, during the American Civil War, the town was badly damaged by the invading Northern armies led by William T. Sherman. This event is known as Sherman's March to the Sea.
Things got even harder for Clinton when the main railway, the Central of Georgia Railway, decided to build its tracks through nearby Gray instead of Clinton. This happened because some people in Clinton didn't want the railway to come through their town.
Because of these changes, the county seat for Jones County was moved to Gray in 1905. Clinton's official town status was finally ended in 1995, along with many other towns in Georgia that were no longer active.
Clinton Today
Today, the main residential part of the old town is known as the Old Clinton Historic District. This area was added to a special list in 1974 to help protect its history. The old business area of Clinton no longer exists.
Where is Clinton?
Outside of the historic district, Clinton acts a lot like a suburb of Gray. This is especially true along the four-lane Gray Highway. Some small parts of Clinton along this highway have even become officially part of Gray.
Fun and Culture
Since the late 1900s, the Old Clinton Historic District has hosted an event called "War Days." This event is a reenactment of life in the 1800s, including battles from the Civil War that happened in Jones County, like the Battle of Sunshine Church and the Battle of Griswoldville. It's a way to learn about history in a fun, interactive way.
Famous People from Clinton
- Ellen Craft – An important leader in the movement to end slavery.
