Fleming, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fleming, Georgia
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Mount Olivet United Methodist Church in Fleming
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 Fleming, Georgia
Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Fleming, Georgia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Georgia |
| County | Liberty |
| Elevation | 20 ft (6 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
31309
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| Area code(s) | 912 |
| GNIS feature ID | 326291 |
Fleming is a small, unincorporated community in Liberty County, Georgia. An "unincorporated community" means it's a place with a shared identity but no official local government like a city or town. It is located about 10 miles east of Hinesville. Fleming had its own post office for many years, which opened in 1869. Even though the post office closed in 2013, the community still uses the ZIP code 31309. In 2010, about 1,210 people lived in the area covered by this ZIP code.
Contents
Discovering Fleming's Past
How Fleming Began
Fleming started after the American Civil War as a railroad depot. This location was very helpful for officials from the Freedmen's Bureau who worked nearby. The Freedmen's Bureau was an important government agency that helped formerly enslaved people after the Civil War. The community was named after William Fleming, who owned a large piece of land right next to where the town began.
By 1886, Fleming was a busy place for farming. It also produced "naval stores," which are products like tar and pitch made from pine trees. These were used to build and maintain wooden ships. Besides the train station and post office, Fleming had a general store and a wheelwright, a person who made and fixed wheels.
Community and Churches
The Mount Olivet Methodist Church was founded in Fleming in 1843. John Stacy and Hannah McCall Adams started this church. Later, in 1913, another church called Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church was established. Within five years, its name changed to Fleming Baptist Church.
Fleming grew steadily over the years. In 1887, about 130 people lived there. By 1925, the population had grown to 212. In 1953, Fleming had around 400 residents, but only one telephone!
Research and Accidents
In the 1950s and 1960s, Fleming was home to a special research center. It was called the Tidewater Experiment Station, and it focused on studying soil and water.
Sadly, a serious train accident happened in Fleming on January 17, 1953. A passenger train and a freight train crashed. Two people died, and 85 others were hurt. Investigators later said the crash was caused by the train going too fast.
Changes to Postal Services
The Fleming Post Office faced some challenges over the years. In 2010, it was robbed. After that, services were stopped because of ongoing damage, very few customers, and low sales. Postal services were then moved to Richmond Hill, a nearby town. The Fleming Post Office officially closed its doors on March 9, 2013. However, the community still uses the 31309 ZIP code.
Fleming's Weather and Environment
Rainfall Records
Fleming once held a state record for the most rain in a single month in Georgia. In August 1898, an amazing 28.6 inches of rain fell! That's a lot of water.
Tornado Activity
On September 6, 2004, during the Hurricane Frances tornado outbreak, a small F1 tornado was reported northwest of Fleming. An F1 tornado is considered a weak tornado. Luckily, the damage was not severe, mostly affecting trees.
Learning in Fleming
Local Schools
Public schools that serve the children of Fleming are managed by the Liberty County School District.
