kids encyclopedia robot

Garden City, Georgia facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Garden City, Georgia
City
The 5000 block of the six-lane Augusta Road with George A. Mercer Middle School on the left as well as a few businesses
The 5000 block of the six-lane Augusta Road with George A. Mercer Middle School on the left as well as a few businesses
Flag of Garden City, Georgia
Flag
Official seal of Garden City, Georgia
Seal
Official logo of Garden City, Georgia
Logo
Motto(s): 
"Faith - Fairness - Family - Freedom - Future"
Location in Chatham County and the state of Georgia
Location in Chatham County and the state of Georgia
Country United States
State Georgia
County Chatham
Area
 • Total 14.47 sq mi (37.48 km2)
 • Land 14.32 sq mi (37.08 km2)
 • Water 0.15 sq mi (0.40 km2)
Elevation
16 ft (5 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 10,289
 • Density 718.61/sq mi (277.46/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
31408
31405
Area code(s) 912
FIPS code 13-32048
GNIS feature ID 0331788

Garden City is a city in Chatham County, Georgia, United States, located just northwest of Savannah. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 10,289. Part industrial and part residential, the city is home to much of the heavy industry in Chatham County. It hosts the largest and busiest ocean terminal of the Port of Savannah, the flagship operation of the Georgia Ports Authority.

Garden City was created in 1939 as Industrial City Gardens, a community intended to house the large workforce required by the new factories and chemical plants just west of downtown Savannah. Garden City is part of the Savannah metropolitan statistical area.

Geography

Garden City is located northwest of the center of Chatham County at 32°6′1″N 81°9′54″W / 32.10028°N 81.16500°W / 32.10028; -81.16500 (32.100372, −81.164965). It is bordered to the southeast by the city of Savannah, to the west by the city of Pooler, and to the north by the city of Port Wentworth. To the northeast in unincorporated land is the Port of Savannah and the Savannah River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Garden City has a total area of 14.3 square miles (37.1 km2), of which 13.7 square miles (35.5 km2) is land and 0.62 square miles (1.6 km2), or 4.35%, is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1940 734
1950 1,557 112.1%
1960 5,451 250.1%
1970 5,790 6.2%
1980 6,895 19.1%
1990 7,410 7.5%
2000 11,289 52.3%
2010 8,778 −22.2%
2020 10,289 17.2%
U.S. Decennial Census
Garden City racial composition as of 2020
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 3,148 30.6%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 3,956 38.45%
Native American 17 0.17%
Asian 124 1.21%
Pacific Islander 11 0.11%
Other/Mixed 339 3.29%
Hispanic or Latino 2,694 26.18%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 10,289 people, 3,221 households, and 1,734 families residing in the city.

Economy

Savannah State Farmers' Market
Located at 701 West U.S. Highway 80, the Savannah State Farmers' Market is one of twelve facilities operated by the State Department of Agriculture and used to support the local economy.
Georgia Central Telfair Road
This Georgia Central Railway train transports merchandise at Telfair Road.

Agriculture

Located at 701 West U.S. Highway 80, the State Farmers Market is a farmers' market run by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Business

Commercial activities are traditionally concentrated near the junction of U.S. Highway 80, U.S. Highway 17 and State Highway 21 (an area once known as Traffic Circle), as well as along Augusta Road (Highway 21), where several long-term-stay hotels, franchise and independently owned fast food restaurants, financial institutions, pawn shops, strip shopping malls, gas stations, car repair shops and automotive retail stores are located.

Industry

Garden City's industry is located primarily on its waterfront, as is the case for surrounding communities. The Georgia Ports Authority operates a terminal, located at 2 Main Street. Garden City is also home to numerous trucking and railway companies. Other industries are:

Public education

Robert W. Groves High School
Robert W. Groves High School
Rommel Ave Catwalk
The Rommel Avenue Catwalk is used by the school kids of George A. Mercer Middle School and other pedestrians to safely cross Augusta Road (State Highway 21).
Garden City UMC
The Garden City United Methodist Church building is located at 62 Varnedoe Avenue, next to the Senior Citizen Center.
Central Baptist Church 2
Central Baptist Church
Woodlawn Baptist Church
Woodlawn Baptist Church

Three public schools can be found within Garden City limits. They are managed by the Savannah Chatham County Public School System.

School Location Year established Number of students
Garden City Elementary School 4037 Kessler Avenue 1996 575
George A. Mercer Middle School 201 Rommel Avenue 1962 880
Robert W. Groves High School 100 Priscilla D. Thomas Way 1958 1,454

Groves High School - Long known as "the pride of the Westside", Groves High School has a rich community tradition that dates back to its founding in 1958. Established to serve the young people and families of West Chatham County, the school is named for Robert W. Groves, a prominent business and civic leader in the county. Besides his role in business and his many commercial and community activities, Groves took particular concern for the youth of the area and their educational needs.

Groves High School is home of the Fighting Scottish Rebels football and basketball teams. Campus points of interest include the Woodville-Tompkins Annex, where the automotive and construction programs are offered, and the Cumming Field, named to honor Second Lieutenant Britt C. Cumming, a World War II veteran who was killed in action.

Mercer Middle School serves grades six through eight and is a part of the Savannah Chatham County School System (SCCPSS). Originally called Mercer Junior High School, Mercer Middle School first opened on September 4, 1962, and was the first climate-controlled school in Georgia. Mercer was named for George Anderson Mercer, an attorney who served as the president of the Board of Education from 1883 until his death in 1907.

Garden City Elementary School was built to serve the consolidated student population of the former Benjamin Sprague and Martin G. Haynes elementary schools.

Parks and recreation

Senior Citizens Center
The Senior Citizens Center was dedicated in January 1996, under the administration of Mayor Roy L. Crager.
Volunteer Park
Volunteer Park was dedicated in December 1999, under the administration of Mayor Dean Kicklighter.
Sharon Park
The Park at Sharon Park was dedicated in December 1999, under the administration of Mayor Dean Kicklighter, and rededicated in 2004, under the administration of Mayor Andy Quinney.
OES Masonic Hall
By 1950, the Eastern Star Masonic Hall, located at 131 Rommel Avenue, was listed in R.L. Polk's Savannah City Directory.
Nelson Ave Water Tower
The geographical reference of this water tower, located at the intersection of Nelson and Rommel avenues, is 32°6′49.7″N 81°9′16.4″W / 32.113806°N 81.154556°W / 32.113806; -81.154556.

Services to the citizens of Garden City include:

Facility Location
Garden City Branch of the Live Oak Public Libraries 104 Sunshine Avenue
Port City Branch of the Live Oak Public Libraries 3501 Houlihan Avenue
Garden City Community & Senior Citizens 78 Varnedoe Avenue

The Garden City Parks and Recreation Department has year-round programs available for citizens. Youth sports include baseball, girls' fast pitch softball, T-ball, football, cheerleading, soccer, gymnastics and basketball. The city also provides non-team activities such as a summer day camp (Camp Eagle), roller skating, after-school programs, and a center for senior citizens. Garden City is home to five public parks. All are managed by the municipal City Parks & Recreation Department, headquartered at 160B Priscilla D. Thomas Way.

Park Location Primary use Monuments/facilities
Bazemore Park 1 Bud Brown Drive Recreational Baseball complex
Griffin Park 500 Griffin Road Recreational Playground
The Park at Sharon Park 507 Sharon Park Drive Recreational Two playgrounds, gazebo, pond and hiking trail
Town Green 100 Central Avenue Esthetic Fountain and benches
Volunteer Park 5100 Augusta Road (State Highway 21) Commemorative Fountain and benches

Other landmarks

Other landmarks located in Garden City include:

  • The Air National Guard facility at 1401 Robert B. Miller Jr. Road
  • Coastal State Prison, located at 200 Gulfstream Road and dedicated on May 12, 1981; it replaced the Chatham Correctional Institution as the local-based state-run correctional facility
  • The Dotson House (the oldest residence in Garden City), built in 1850 and moved from the surroundings of George A. Mercer School to the site of the current town center
  • Fire Department Station No. 1, 160 Main Street
  • Fire Department Station No. 2, 2406 U.S. Highway 80 West
  • The Order of the Eastern Star's local branch, located at 131 Rommel Avenue
  • Hillcrest Abby West Cemetery, located on Dean Forest Road

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Garden City (Georgia) para niños

kids search engine
Garden City, Georgia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.