Guyton, Georgia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Guyton, Georgia
City
Motto(s):  "Working Together to Make a Difference"
Location in Effingham County and the state of Georgia
Country	United States
State	Georgia
County	Effingham
Area
• Total	3.22 sq mi (8.34 km2)
• Land	3.21 sq mi (8.31 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.04 km2)
Elevation	95 ft (29 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,289
• Density	713.75/sq mi (275.59/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	31312
Area code(s)	912
FIPS code	13-35884
GNIS feature ID	0356129

Guyton is a small city in Effingham County, Georgia, United States. In 2020, about 2,289 people lived there. This was more than the 1,684 people who lived there in 2010. Guyton is located about 28 miles (45 km) northwest of Savannah. It is part of the larger Savannah metropolitan area.

History of Guyton

Early Settlers and "Whitesville"

Many early settlers in the Guyton area came from North and South Carolina. In 1792, a man named Squire Zachariah White received a large piece of land, about 250 acres (1 km²). This area became known as "Whitesville."

Squire White was not married and had no children when he died in 1838. He had given permission for the new Central of Georgia Railway to build tracks through his land. He was buried on his own property, which was common back then. His grave is still there, behind the New Providence Church.

From Whitesville to Guyton

After Squire White passed away, the Effingham County leaders took over his land because of unpaid taxes. They divided the land into lots and streets, much like they are today. Then, they sold these lots at a public auction to pay his taxes. Many wealthy people from Savannah bought lots to build summer homes. At that time, Savannah had many outbreaks of a serious illness, so people wanted to escape to the countryside.

Around 1837 or 1838, the Central of Georgia Railroad built its tracks through Whitesville. They called this stop "Station Number 30." Soon, local people asked the railroad to give the place a proper name so they could get a post office. Since another town in Georgia was already named Whitesville, the railroad president, Mr. W. W. Gordon, named it "Guyton." He chose this name to honor Archibald Guyton, a respected local citizen. The U.S. Post Office officially opened in Guyton, Georgia, on December 31, 1851.

Guyton During the Civil War

By the time of the Civil War, Guyton was a thriving town. The Confederacy built a hospital in Guyton during the war. There are 26 Confederate soldiers buried in the local cemetery.

When General Sherman's army marched from Atlanta to Savannah, they passed through Guyton. It took five days for his large army to move through the town. Some soldiers looted, burned, and stole things. The train station and tracks were destroyed. This destruction might be why some records from that time are missing.

Becoming an Incorporated City

In 1887, Guyton officially became an incorporated city. This meant it had its own local government and a city charter from the State of Georgia. Colonel Clarance Guyton, a lawyer and Archibald Guyton's grandson, helped pass the law to make Guyton a city. He was a member of the Georgia Legislature.

The Guyton Family Legacy

Archibald Guyton, the man the city is named after, moved to this area from North Carolina in 1825. He worked in the timber business. He had two wives and several children. His grandson, Clarance, became a very important lawyer and politician.

Today, no families named Guyton live in the community. However, the last home where the Guyton family lived is still in excellent condition. It is located on Highway 17, just north of the city limits.

Guyton's Christmas Tradition

Every December, Guyton celebrates Christmas with an annual tour of homes. This event brings in thousands of visitors each year. People can tour about a dozen homes and almost all the churches. Many homes in the historic area decorate their doors with lights.

The celebrations usually start with a country supper and a tour of the historic city. Visitors driving down Guyton's main street can see lighted trees along the old railroad median for about 1 mile (1.6 km). The Guyton Volunteer Fire Department usually turns on nearly 7,000 lights on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Today, Guyton remains a small town with a rich history. When you visit, especially in December, you can see a Georgia town that looks much like it did almost a century ago.

Geography

Guyton is located in the western part of Effingham County. Its coordinates are 32°20′11″N 81°23′38″W / 32.33639°N 81.39389°W / 32.33639; -81.39389.

Two main roads, State Route 17 and State Route 119, cross in the southwest part of town.

• GA 17 goes northwest about 15 miles (24 km) to Oliver. It goes south about 16 miles (26 km) to Bloomingdale, which is west of Savannah.
• GA 119 goes northeast about 5 miles (8 km) to Springfield, the county seat of Effingham County. It goes southwest about 14 miles (23 km) to Interstate 16 in Bulloch County.

The United States Census Bureau reports that Guyton covers a total area of about 3.2 square miles (8.3 km²). Only a very small part, about 0.015 square miles (0.04 km²), is water.

Population Information

According to the 2020 United States census, there were 2,289 people living in Guyton. These people lived in 665 households, and 527 of these were families.

See also

In Spanish: Guyton (Georgia) para niños