Timeline of Macon, Georgia facts for kids

Macon, Georgia, has a long and interesting history! This timeline will take you on a journey through the most important moments in the city's past, from its early days as a fort to the modern city it is today. You'll learn about how Macon grew, what major events shaped it, and some of the cool places that were built there.

• 1806: Fort Benjamin Hawkins was built. This fort was located where Macon is now, near the Ocmulgee Old Fields, which was a home for the Creek Indian people.
• 1821: The settlement around Fort Hawkins was given a new name: "Newtown."
• 1822: Bibb County was created. Macon is the main city in Bibb County.
• 1823: The town of Macon was officially started. It was named after Nathaniel Macon, an important statesman from North Carolina.
• 1826: The Macon Telegraph newspaper began publishing. This newspaper is still around today!
• 1829: Newtown became part of Macon, making the town bigger.
• 1833: Steamboats started operating, which helped people and goods travel on the river.
• 1834: Macon officially became a city.
• 1836: The Monroe Railroad Bank building was constructed.
• 1838: The Monroe Railroad started running trains between Forsyth and Macon.
• 1839: The Georgia Female College opened its doors. This was an important step for education.
• 1840: The Rose Hill Cemetery was established. Macon's population was 3,927 people.
• 1843: The Central of Georgia Railway connected Macon to Savannah, making trade and travel easier.
• 1846: The Macon and Western Railroad connected Macon to Atlanta.
• 1848: Telegraph services began, allowing faster communication.
• 1851: The Georgia State Fair moved to Macon, bringing many visitors to the city.
• 1860: Macon's population grew to 8,247 people.
• 1862: During the American Civil War, an important arsenal (a place where weapons are stored) for the Confederate government was moved to Macon.
• 1864:
  • July 30: Union forces attacked Macon.
  • The City Hall became the temporary State Capitol of Georgia.
• 1865: April 20: Union forces took control of Macon.
• 1866: October 29: A meeting of the Equal Rights and Educational Association of Georgia was held in Macon, focusing on important issues of equality.
• 1871: Mercer University moved to Macon from Penfield.
• 1874: A public library was opened for the community.
• 1876: Mount de Sales Academy was active.
• 1880: Telephone service began in Macon. The population was 12,749.
• 1884: The Macon Daily News newspaper started publishing. The Academy of Music was built.
• 1887: April 6: Riverside Cemetery was officially started.
• 1900: The Price Library, another public library, opened.
• 1906: Construction began on a levee (a wall to prevent flooding) along the Ocmulgee River.
• 1910: Macon's population reached 40,665.
• 1917: The Cox Capitol Theatre opened for entertainment.
• 1918: The Macon Art Association was formed. The Spanish flu outbreak affected the city.
• 1919: The Washington Memorial Library, a public library, was established.
• 1921: The Douglass Theatre and Rialto Theatre opened.
• 1922: WMAZ radio began broadcasting, bringing news and entertainment to homes.
• 1925: The Macon City Auditorium was built.
• 1929: Luther Williams Field, a stadium, opened. The Walker Business College opened a campus in Macon, offering business and job training for African American students.
• 1933: The Citizens & Southern National Bank building was constructed.
• 1936: The Ocmulgee National Monument was officially established, preserving an important historical site. A Farmer's Market was also built.
• 1938: The Bibb Theatre opened.
• 1948: WIBB radio began broadcasting.
• 1949: The Middle Georgia Regional Library made Macon its main headquarters.
• 1950: The population of Macon was 70,252.
• 1952: The Georgia Journal newspaper began publication.
• 1953: WMAZ-TV began broadcasting television programs.
• 1955: Famous singer James Brown recorded his first hit song, "Please, Please, Please," at the WIBB radio studio in Macon.
• 1960: Stratford Academy was founded.
• 1964: The Middle Georgia Historical Society was formed to preserve local history.
• 1965: Macon Junior College was established.
• 1966: The U.S. Supreme Court made a decision in the Evans v. Newton lawsuit, which was about ending segregation.
• 1967:
  • December 18: The funeral of famous musician Otis Redding was held in Macon.
  • Ronnie Thompson became the mayor of Macon.
• 1970: Macon's population grew to 122,423.
• 1978: The Middle Georgia Archives were organized to collect historical documents.
• 1983: The first Cherry Blossom Festival was held in Macon. This festival is now a big annual event.
• 1993: Sanford Bishop became the U.S. representative for Georgia's 2nd congressional district.
• 1994:
  • July: A major flood affected Macon.
  • The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame moved to Macon.
• 1999: C. Jack Ellis became mayor.
• 2000: The population was 97,255.
• 2001: The city's website went online, making information more accessible.
• 2003: The Historic Macon Foundation was formed to help preserve old buildings and sites.
• 2007: Robert Reichert became mayor.
• 2010: The population was 91,351.
• 2012: The governments of Macon city and Bibb County joined together, or consolidated, to work as one.
• 2015: Middle Georgia State University was active.