Gratis, Georgia facts for kids
Gratis is a small community located in Walton County, Georgia, in the United States. It's not a city or town with its own government, but rather an "unincorporated community." You can find Gratis between the larger cities of Monroe and Winder. The main part of the community is around the intersection of Gratis Road and Mt. Vernon Road.
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A Look Back: Gratis History
Gratis wasn't always just an unincorporated community. In 1908, the Georgia General Assembly, which is like Georgia's state parliament, officially made Gratis a "town." This meant it had its own local government and rules. However, this didn't last forever. In 1995, the town's official status, called its "charter," was ended. After that, Gratis became an unincorporated community again.
How Gratis Makes a Living: Economy
The economy in Gratis mostly depends on people traveling to work in nearby cities like Monroe and Winder. This is called "commuting." Besides that, there's some farming and raising of animals. The community also has one main shop, which is a gas station and general store, often called "The Gratis Store" by local people.
A long time ago, there was a place called Sims Mill nearby. A mill uses power, often from water, to grind things like corn and wheat into flour or cornmeal. Close to where the mill pond was, there was also a site where Creek Indian people once had an encampment.
Places of Worship: Religion in Gratis
For almost 100 years, Center Hill Baptist Church was the only church in Gratis. It was an important part of the community. The original church building burned down in the 1950s, but it was rebuilt.
More recently, a new church called Gratis Church started in August 2011. This church has bought 15 acres of land on Perry Smith Road, about a mile north of The Gratis Store. For now, Gratis Church holds its meetings at Walker Park Elementary School.
Learning in Gratis: Education
The schools in Gratis are managed by the Walton County Board of Education. This board oversees public education in the area. Students living in Gratis typically attend Monroe Elementary School, Carver Middle School, and Monroe Area High School.
Families in Gratis also have other choices for education. There are three smaller private schools nearby: George Walton Academy, Loganville Christian Academy, and Faith Academy.
