Waleska, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Waleska, Georgia
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Waleska city hall
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Location in Cherokee County and the state of Georgia
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Georgia | |
| County | Cherokee | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 1.59 sq mi (4.11 km2) | |
| • Land | 1.58 sq mi (4.09 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2) | |
| Elevation | 1,109 ft (338 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 921 | |
| • Density | 583.28/sq mi (225.16/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP code |
30183
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| Area code(s) | 770/678/470 | |
| FIPS code | 13-79948 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0333342 | |
Waleska (pronounced waw-LES-kuh) is a small city in Cherokee County, Georgia, in the United States. In 2020, about 921 people lived there. Waleska is best known as the home of Reinhardt University.
Contents
Exploring the History of Waleska
The first European settlers arrived in the Waleska area in the early 1830s. Families like the Reinhardts, Heards, and Rhynes moved there. They were looking for new, fertile land to farm.
How Waleska Got Its Name
At first, these settlers lived alongside the Cherokee people. By 1838, the Cherokee were forced to move west to Oklahoma. This sad event is known as the Trail of Tears.
One early settler, Lewis W. Reinhardt, started a church in 1834. He called the settlement Reinhardt Chapel. Lewis was friends with many local Cherokee people. When a Cherokee chief's daughter, Warluskee, had to leave, Lewis named the settlement in her honor. You can learn more about this at the Funk Heritage Center.
Founding Reinhardt University
In 1883, Augustus M. Reinhardt helped found a school in Waleska. Augustus was a lawyer from Atlanta and a former captain in the Confederate Army. He was also the son of one of Waleska's first settlers.
He started Reinhardt Academy with his brother-in-law, John J. A. Sharp. They wanted to help children in Cherokee County who didn't have much money. This school later grew into Reinhardt University.
When Waleska Became a City
Waleska officially became a city in 1889. This was over 50 years after the first farms were set up there.
In the past, Waleska had industries like tobacco farming and mining. Lumbering and agriculture are still important today. However, the most important part of Waleska's economy has always been Reinhardt University.
Understanding Waleska's Geography
Waleska is located in the northwestern part of Cherokee County. It sits at coordinates 34°19′5″N 84°33′11″W.
Two main roads, State Route 140 and State Route 108, cross in the middle of town.
- SR 140 goes southeast 7 miles to Canton, which is the county seat. It also goes west 25 miles to Adairsville.
- SR 108 goes northeast 13 miles to Tate. It goes southwest 23 miles to Cartersville.
The United States Census Bureau says Waleska covers about 1.59 square miles (4.11 square kilometers). Only a very small part of this area, about 0.01 square miles (0.02 square kilometers), is water.
Population and People of Waleska
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 170 | — | |
| 1910 | 243 | 42.9% | |
| 1920 | 308 | 26.7% | |
| 1930 | 226 | −26.6% | |
| 1940 | 264 | 16.8% | |
| 1950 | 385 | 45.8% | |
| 1960 | 479 | 24.4% | |
| 1970 | 487 | 1.7% | |
| 1980 | 450 | −7.6% | |
| 1990 | 700 | 55.6% | |
| 2000 | 616 | −12.0% | |
| 2010 | 644 | 4.5% | |
| 2020 | 921 | 43.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
What the 2020 Census Shows
The 2020 United States census counted 921 people living in Waleska. There were 94 households and 67 families in the city.
| Race | Number of People | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (not Hispanic) | 674 | 73.18% |
| Black or African American (not Hispanic) | 135 | 14.66% |
| Native American | 6 | 0.65% |
| Asian | 9 | 0.98% |
| Pacific Islander | 1 | 0.11% |
| Other/Mixed | 23 | 2.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 73 | 7.93% |
Reinhardt University: A Key Part of Waleska
Waleska is about 48 miles north of Atlanta and 82 miles southeast of Chattanooga, Tennessee. It is home to Reinhardt University.
The university was founded in 1883. Reinhardt offers both undergraduate (bachelor's) and graduate (master's) degrees. It is connected with the United Methodist Church.
Besides its main campus in Waleska, Reinhardt University has other locations. These include the North Fulton Center in Alpharetta. It also offers some programs in Cartersville and Canton, Georgia, and online courses.
Reinhardt University is also where you'll find the Funk Heritage Center. This center is Georgia's official place for learning about frontier life and Southeastern Native American history.
Nearby Places to Visit
- Lake Arrowhead is a large lake with homes around it. It is located about 2 miles west of Waleska.
See also
In Spanish: Waleska para niños
