Round Oak, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Round Oak, Georgia
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Sunshine Baptist Church
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 Round Oak, Georgia
Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Round Oak, Georgia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Georgia |
| County | Jones |
| Elevation | 627 ft (191 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
31038
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| Area code(s) | 478 |
| GNIS feature ID | 356505 |
Round Oak is a small, unincorporated community in Jones County, Georgia, United States. It is located on Georgia State Route 11, about 8.4 miles north-northwest of Gray. An unincorporated community means it's a place with a shared identity but no official local government.
History of Round Oak
Round Oak is one of the oldest settlements in Jones County. It was first founded in 1807 and called Sylvania. The name was later changed to Round Oak. This new name honored an old oak tree that was a special meeting place for Native Americans long ago.
In 1885, a train depot was built in Round Oak. This helped the community's economy grow and thrive. This busy period lasted until the early 1920s. Today, the Big O Ranch is located just outside town. This ranch was once home to Zelma Redding, the widow of famous musician Otis Redding. However, the ranch is not open to the public.
Early Settlers and Plantations
Thomas White Jr. (1781-1830) moved to the area near Round Oak before 1810. He came from Virginia and was among the first settlers in Jones County. In 1807, he married Elizabeth Haynes Clark. They built their home close to the Jasper County line.
Thomas White Jr. was an important person in the community. He served in the Georgia State Militia during the War of 1812. He was also a representative in the state legislature in 1817 and 1818. He was known as "Colonel" and passed away at 48 years old. He was buried on what was then a large cotton plantation. This area was known as "White's district" because of his family.
Two of Thomas White Jr.'s sons became plantation owners. Joseph Clark White (1808-1865) stayed in the area. His brother, Francis Marion White (1810-1887), moved to Mississippi. These plantations relied on the labor of enslaved people.
Battle of Sunshine Church
During the Civil War, a battle known as the Battle of Sunshine Church happened near Round Oak. In 1864, General Sherman's forces burned the original Sunshine Church. The church was later rebuilt in Round Oak in 1875.
In 1864, Confederate cavalry led by Colonel Iverson captured about 500 Federal soldiers. These soldiers were under the command of Major General Stoneman. This battle was one of the few victories for Confederate troops during General Sherman's Atlanta campaign.
After the battle, Elizabeth Hayes Clark White, a local resident, helped care for wounded soldiers. She turned her home, the White Plantation house, into a temporary hospital. She used her linen sheets to make bandages and nursed both Union and Confederate soldiers back to health.
A post office was opened in Round Oak in 1878. It operated until 1906. The Georgia General Assembly officially made Round Oak a town in 1914. However, the town's official government was ended in 1995.
