Ludowici, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ludowici, Georgia
|
|
|---|---|
Location in Long County and the state of Georgia
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Georgia |
| County | Long |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.88 sq mi (7.47 km2) |
| • Land | 2.87 sq mi (7.44 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 66 ft (20 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 1,590 |
| • Density | 553.81/sq mi (213.82/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
31316
|
| Area code(s) | 912 |
| FIPS code | 13-47784 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0356371 |
Ludowici (pronounced loo-duh-WISS-ee) is a city in Long County, Georgia, United States. In 2020, about 1,590 people lived there. The city is the main town, or county seat, of Long County. It's also part of the larger Hinesville-Fort Stewart area.
The town was first called Johnston Station in the 1840s. This was when the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad made a stop there. They called the stop "Four and a Half" because it was near a landowner's house.
Two important buildings in Ludowici, the Long County Courthouse and the Ludowici Well Pavilion, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are special and protected because of their history.
Contents
History of Ludowici
In 1900, about 300 people lived in Johnston Station. The town had a telegraph, a post office, and express offices. A local African American man named H. F. McKay was elected to the Georgia Senate that year.
How Ludowici Got Its Name
In 1902, a company called the Ludowici Roofing Tile Company built a factory in Johnston Station. They called their factory the "Dixie" plant. In 1905, when the town built a new high school, the Ludowici company helped pay for it. They also gave the school special roofing tiles.
Because of their help, the town decided to change its name. On August 23, 1905, Johnston Station was renamed and officially became Ludowici.
The Dixie Tile Plant
The Ludowici Dixie Plant was very large, covering more than 1,100 acres (about 4.5 square kilometers). It was a major employer, meaning most people in Long County worked there. The tiles made at this factory were stamped with "Ludowici Dixie."
You can still find these "Dixie" tiles on old buildings in Georgia and Florida. Some famous buildings with these tiles include the U.S. Federal Building in Savannah and Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. The plant closed in 1914. The Ludowici Roof Tile Company still exists today, but its main factory is now in Ohio.
Traveling Through Ludowici
Before big interstate highways were built, people traveled on smaller U.S. highways. Ludowici was a busy spot because three major U.S. highways met there: Routes 25, 82, and 301. Many families driving to Florida for vacation would pass right through Ludowici.
The "Speed Trap" Years
In the 1950s and 1960s, Ludowici became well-known for its strict traffic rules. The AAA, a group that helps drivers, even called Ludowici a "speed trap." This meant that police in the town were thought to be giving out many traffic tickets, sometimes unfairly.
It was said that the traffic light in the town center could be changed quickly. This would trick drivers from out of town into running a red light. The switch for the light was even in a local barber shop! Local drivers knew a shortcut to avoid this light, so most tickets went to visitors.
Because of this, the governor at the time, Lester Maddox, put up signs warning tourists to avoid Ludowici. Many drivers started taking different routes to get around the town. A magazine article in 1970 said Ludowici was one of the last "speed traps" left in the country.
However, it wasn't the governor who stopped the speed trap. When Interstate 95 was built, tourists could travel to Florida without going through Ludowici. This made the town less busy and the traffic issues faded away.
Geography
Ludowici is in the southeastern part of Georgia. It is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the Atlantic coast.
Nearby Towns
Here are some towns close to Ludowici:
- Jesup is about 11 miles (18 km) southwest.
- Darien is about 32 miles (51 km) southeast.
- Hinesville/Fort Stewart is about 15 miles (24 km) northeast.
- Glennville is about 21 miles (34 km) northwest.
Land and Water
Ludowici covers an area of about 2.88 square miles (7.47 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with only a small amount (about 0.01 square miles or 0.03 square kilometers) being water. The city's water flows into Jones Creek and Doctors Creek, which then lead to the Altamaha River.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 541 | — | |
| 1920 | 515 | −4.8% | |
| 1930 | 615 | 19.4% | |
| 1940 | 866 | 40.8% | |
| 1950 | 1,332 | 53.8% | |
| 1960 | 1,578 | 18.5% | |
| 1970 | 1,419 | −10.1% | |
| 1980 | 1,286 | −9.4% | |
| 1990 | 1,291 | 0.4% | |
| 2000 | 1,440 | 11.5% | |
| 2010 | 1,703 | 18.3% | |
| 2020 | 1,590 | −6.6% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 1,846 | 8.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 918 | 57.74% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 495 | 31.13% |
| Asian | 4 | 0.25% |
| Pacific Islander | 1 | 0.06% |
| Other/Mixed | 92 | 5.79% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 80 | 5.03% |
In 2020, there were 1,590 people living in Ludowici. These people lived in 763 households, with 573 of them being families.
Education
Long County School District
The Long County School District serves the city of Ludowici. It has schools for students from pre-school all the way to twelfth grade. The district includes two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. There are 119 full-time teachers and over 3,285 students in the district.
- Smiley Elementary School
- McClelland Elementary School
- Long County Middle School
- Long County High School
Private Education
- Faith Baptist Christian School
See also
In Spanish: Ludowici (Georgia) para niños
