Garden City, Georgia
Garden City, Georgia | |
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City | |
The 5000 block of the six-lane Augusta Road with George A. Mercer Middle School and Universal Steel Supply on the left and a local Dairy Queen restaurant on the right
The 5000 block of the six-lane Augusta Road with George A. Mercer Middle School and Universal Steel Supply on the left and a local Dairy Queen restaurant on the right
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Motto: "Faith - Fairness - Family - Freedom - Future" | |
Location in Chatham County and the state of Georgia Location in Chatham County and the state of Georgia |
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Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. | |
Country | United States |
State | Georgia |
County | Chatham |
Government | |
• Mayor | Tennyson Holder |
• City Manager | Brian Johnson |
Area | |
• Total | 14.3 sq mi (37.1 km2) |
• Land | 13.7 sq mi (35.5 km2) |
• Water | 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km2) |
Elevation | 16 ft (5 m) |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 8,794 |
• Density | 642/sq mi (247.8/km2) |
Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
• Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
31408 | 31405 |
Area code(s) | 912 |
FIPS code | 13-32048[1] |
GNIS feature ID | 0331788[2] |
Website | www |
Garden City is a city in Chatham County, Georgia, United States. It is located just northwest of Savannah. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 8,794.[3] Part industrial and part residential, the city is home to much of the heavy industry in Chatham County and is adjacent to the Port of Savannah, the flagship operation of the Georgia Ports Authority.
Garden City is part of the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Contents
Geography
Garden City is located northwest of the center of Chatham County at Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. (32.100372, −81.164965).[4] It is bordered to the southeast by the city of Savannah, to the west by the city of Pooler, and to the north by the city of Port Wentworth. To the northeast in unincorporated land is the Port of Savannah and the Savannah River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Garden City has a total area of 14.3 square miles (37.1 km2), of which 13.7 square miles (35.5 km2) is land and 0.62 square miles (1.6 km2), or 4.35%, is water.[3]
Demographics
Historical population | |||
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Census | Pop. | %± | |
1940 | 734 | — | |
1950 | 1,557 | 112.1% | |
1960 | 5,451 | 250.1% | |
1970 | 5,790 | 6.2% | |
1980 | 6,895 | 19.1% | |
1990 | 7,410 | 7.5% | |
2000 | 11,289 | 52.3% | |
2010 | 8,778 | −22.2% | |
Est. 2014 | 8,994 | [5] | 2.5% |
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As of the census[1] of 2010, there were 8,778 people, 3,981 households, and 2,663 families residing in the city. The population density was 601.2/sq mi (232.1/km2). There were 3,704 housing units at an average density of 253.7/sq mi (98.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 49.2% White, 37.4% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 8.9% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.7% of the population.
There were 3,392 households out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.8% were married couples living together, 20.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.3 years. For every 100 females there were 101.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,264, and the median income for a family was $42,905. Males had a median income of $30,509 versus $30,509 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,380. About 15.5% of families and 22.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.6% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.[7]
Economy
File:Savannah State Farmers' Market.jpg
Located at 701 West U.S. Highway 80, the Savannah State Farmers' Market is one of twelve facilities operated by the State Department of Agriculture and used to support the local economy.
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This Georgia Central Railway train transports merchandise at Telfair Road.
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Agriculture
Located at 701 West U.S. Highway 80, the State Farmers Market is a farmers' market run by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.[8]
Business
Commercial activities are traditionally concentrated near the junction of U.S. Highway 80, U.S. Highway 17 and State Highway 21 (an area once known as Traffic Circle), as well as along Augusta Road (Highway 21), where several long-term-stay hotels, franchise and independently owned fast food restaurants, financial institutions, pawn shops, strip shopping malls, gas stations, car repair shops and automotive retail stores are located. Strip shopping centers include:
Mall | Location | Year established |
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Dean Forest Village | 1550 Dean Forest Road | |
Fortune Plaza | 622 West U.S. Highway 80 | |
Garden City Office Center | 4019 Augusta Road | |
Garden City Retail Building | 4831 Augusta Road | 1985 |
Garden City Shopping Center | 5216 Augusta Road | 1976 |
Garden Grove Shopping Center | 109 Minus Avenue | |
High Way 80 Plaza | 522 West U.S. Highway 80 | |
Southbridge Commons | 1450 Dean Forest Road | 2009 |
Traffic Circle (Twenty One) Shopping Center | 309 Main Street | |
Westside Business Complex | 3911 Old Louisville Road | |
West Side Shopping Center | 403 West U.S. Highway 80 |
Industry
Garden City's industry is located primarily on its waterfront, as is the case for surrounding communities. The Georgia Ports Authority operates a terminal, located at 2 Main Street. Garden City is also home to numerous trucking and railway companies. Other industries are:
Facility | Location | Production |
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GAF Materials Corporation | 1 Brampton Road | Residential and commercial roofing |
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation | 500 Gulfstream Road | Jet aircraft |
Herty Foundation | 110 Brampton Road | Research and development, papermaking |
National Gypsum | 2 Brampton Road | Gypsum boards |
SemMaterials | 14 Foundation Drive | Transportation and storage of energy including crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, asphalt and refined products |
Industrial rental space is available at locations such as:
Facility | Location |
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Chatham Commercial Condominiums | 1101 Chatham Parkway |
Lynah Square | 1335 Lynah Avenue |
Westport Business Park | 2509 Dean Forest Road |
History
From the Reconstruction Era until the 1930s, the area was home to three major plantations: Brampton, Givens and Telfair.[9] Garden City was incorporated on February 8, 1939, as "Industrial City Gardens". It received its current name on March 24, 1941.[10][11]
Neighborhoods and housing
The oldest inhabited section of Garden City roughly corresponds to the triangle formed by Smith Avenue, State Highway 25 (Main Street) and State Highway 21 corridors. Throughout its history, Garden City has significantly expanded westward and southward. It has acquired several residential subdivisions, which include:
Subdivision | Approximate boundaries |
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Central Junction | DeLoach Avenue, Garden City Elementary School, Old Louisville Road, U.S. Highway 80 |
Chatham Villa | Groves High School, State Highway 21 (Augusta Road), Chatham City Apartments, Dillard Yard |
Rossignol Hill | Minus Avenue, State Highway 21 (Augusta Road), U.S. Highway 80, Dillard Yard |
Sharon Park | Talmadge Avenue, Old Louisville Road, Garden City Elementary School, DeLoach Avenue, U.S. Highway 80 |
The Oaks | Big Hill Road, Leone Avenue, Hawkinsville Road, Dillard Yard |
Wheat Hill | Big Hill Road, State Highway 21 (Augusta Road), Robert W. Groves High School, Dillard Yard |
Woodlawn Terrace | State Road 307 (Dean Forest Road), Old Louisville Road, Talmadge Avenue, U.S. Highway 80 |
Garden City is home to the following apartment complexes, rental housing units and mobile home parks:
Complex | Location | Type of housing |
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Almar Inn & Mobile Home Park | 35 Main Street | Mobile home park |
Chatham City Apartments | 4309 Augusta Road | Apartment / Rental units |
Davis Mobile Home Park | Davis Mobile Home Road | Mobile home park |
Garden City Mobile Estates | 4309 Augusta Road | Mobile home park |
Garden Lake Townhomes | 4024 Kessler Avenue | Apartment / Rental units |
Kessler Point | 901 Kessler Court | Apartment / Rental units |
Plantation Townhouses | 112 Denmark Street | Apartment / Rental units |
Southwynn Mobile Home Estates | 217 Main Street | Mobile home park |
Sunshine RV Park | Sunshine Avenue | Mobile home park |
The Arbors Apartment Homes | 4035 Kessler Avenue | Apartment / Rental units |
Wyndmere Apartments | 1326 West U.S. Highway 80 | Apartment / Rental units |
Politics
Municipal
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The building that is currently used as the Town Center of Garden City was opened to the public in 2009, under the administration of Mayor Andy Quinney.
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Garden City operated under a mayor–council form of government until 2009. It has adopted a council-administrator style, and by 2011 it will replace its seven at-large council members by one at-large and five district-elected ones.[12]
For a list of past and present mayors and council members of Garden City, see List of mayors of Garden City, Georgia.
As of 2010, Garden City has never collected property taxes.[13]
Other levels of government
Garden City is represented by:
- the 7th and the 8th districts on the boards of the Chatham County Commission and the Savannah Chatham County Public School System
- the 159th and the 160th district in the State House
- the 1st and the 2nd district in the State Senate
- the 12th congressional district in Congress
In the last three decades, the area's county commissioners have been:
Inauguration | Term expiration | 7th district Commissioner |
Party | 8th district Commissioner |
Party | ||
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1981 | 1985 | James M. “Jimmie” DeLoach[14] | Democrat | L. Scott Stell, Jr. | Democrat | ||
1985 | 1989 | James M. “Jimmie” DeLoach | Democrat | Dorothy Barnes Pelote | Democrat | ||
1989 | 1993 | James M. “Jimmie” DeLoach | Democrat | Dorothy Barnes Pelote[15] | Democrat | ||
1993 | 1997 | Eddie DeLoach[16] | Democrat | Dr. Priscilla D. Thomas[17] | Democrat | ||
1997 | 2001 | Eddie DeLoach | Democrat | Dr. Priscilla D. Thomas | Democrat | ||
2001 | 2005 | Dean Kicklighter[18] | Republican | Dr. Priscilla D. Thomas | Democrat | ||
2005 | 2009 | Dean Kicklighter | Republican | Dr. Priscilla D. Thomas | Democrat | ||
2009 | 2013 | Dean Kicklighter | Republican | Dr. Priscilla D. Thomas | Democrat |
Color code: Democratic Republican Independent
State representation
The Georgia Department of Corrections operates the Coastal State Prison near Garden City.[19][20]
Public education
File:Groves High School.JPG
Robert W. Groves High School
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File:Rommel Ave Catwalk.JPG
The Rommel Avenue Catwalk is used by the school kids of George A. Mercer Middle School and other pedestrians to safely cross Augusta Road (State Highway 21).
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The Garden City United Methodist Church building is located at 62 Varnedoe Avenue, next to the Senior Citizen Center.
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File:Central Baptist Church 2.jpg
Central Baptist Church
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File:Woodlawn Baptist Church.jpg
Woodlawn Baptist Church
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Three public schools can be found within Garden City limits. They are managed by the Savannah Chatham County Public School System.[21]
School | Location | Year established | Number of students |
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Garden City Elementary School | 4037 Kessler Avenue | 1996 | 575 |
George A. Mercer Middle School | 201 Rommel Avenue | 1962 | 880 |
Robert W. Groves High School | 100 Priscilla D. Thomas Way | 1958 | 1,454 |
Groves High School - Long known as "the pride of the Westside", Groves High School has a rich community tradition that dates back to its founding in 1958. Established to serve the young people and families of West Chatham County, the school is named for Robert W. Groves, a prominent business and civic leader in the county. Besides his powerful role in business and his many commercial and community activities, Groves took particular concern for the youth of the area and their educational needs.
Groves High School is home of the Fighting Scottish Rebels football and basketball teams. Campus points of interest include the Woodville-Tompkins Annex, where the automotive and construction programs are offered, and the Cumming Field, named to honor Second Lieutenant Britt C. Cumming a World War II veteran who was killed in action.
Mercer Middle School serves grades 6th through 8th and is a part of the Savannah Chatham County School System (SCCPSS).[22] Originally called Mercer Junior High School, Mercer Middle School first opened on September 4, 1962, and was the first climate-controlled school in Georgia.[23] Mercer was named for George Anderson Mercer, an attorney who served as the president of the Board of Education from 1883 until his death in 1907.[24]
Garden City Elementary School was built to serve the consolidated student population of the former Benjamin Sprague and Martin G. Haynes elementary schools.[25]
Religion
45.08% of Garden City residents are affiliated with religious congregations. Southern Baptists account for 33% of the population that has a church affiliation, Catholics for 20%, and United Methodists for 15%.[26] There is no Catholic church in Garden City. The nearest is Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, located at 501 South Coastal Highway in Port Wentworth. Local houses of prayer include:
Name | Religious denomination | Current location | Year established |
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Central Baptist Church | Baptist | 4010 Old Louisville Road | |
Chapel-in-the-Gardens, Presbyterian Church in America | Presbyterian | 93 Main Street | 1935 |
Church of Christ of Garden City | Non-denominational Christian | 4506 Augusta Road | 2001 |
Clifton Baptist Church | Baptist | 2 Big Hill Road | 2001 |
Dean Forest Baptist Church | Baptist | 1524 Old Dean Forest Road | |
Fairlawn Baptist Church | Baptist | 4719 Augusta Road | 1889 |
Fellowship Assembly of God | Pentecostal | 5224 Augusta Road | 1968 |
First Baptist Church | Baptist | 35 Nelson Avenue | 1940 |
First Garden City Seventh-Day Adventist Church | Seventh-day Adventist | 4020 Second Street | |
Garden City Primitive Baptist Church | Primitive Baptist | 126 Smith Avenue | 1961 |
Garden City United Methodist Church | United Methodist | 62 Varnedoe Avenue | 1942 |
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church | Lutheran | 41 Main Street | |
Jasper Springs Baptist Church | Baptist | 62 Smith Avenue | 1942 |
Living Hope Community Fellowship | Non-denominational Christian | 5008 Augusta Road | 2008 |
Mount Olive Holiness Church | Pentecostal | 37 Leone Avenue | |
Palm Grove Primitive Baptist Church | Primitive Baptist | 2207 Shaw Avenue | |
Silk Hope Baptist Church | Baptist | 4929 Pineland Drive | |
Trinity Church of God | Pentecostal | 2202 US Highway 80 West | |
United House of Prayer For All People | Non-denominational Christian | 4107 Sixth Street | |
Woodlawn Baptist Church | Baptist | 407 Talmadge Avenue | 1965 |
Woodlawn United Methodist Church | United Methodist | 2502 West U.S. Highway 80 | |
Zion Fair Missionary Baptist Church | Baptist | 4123 First Street |
Services
File:Senior Citizens Center.JPG
The Senior Citizens Center was dedicated in January 1996, under the administration of Mayor Roy L. Crager.
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File:Volunteer Park.JPG
Volunteer Park was dedicated in December 1999, under the administration of Mayor Dean Kicklighter.
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File:Sharon Park.jpg
The Park at Sharon Park was dedicated in December 1999, under the administration of Mayor Dean Kicklighter, and rededicated in 2004, under the administration of Mayor Andy Quinney.
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File:OES Masonic Hall.jpg
By 1950, the Eastern Star Masonic Hall, located at 131 Rommel Avenue, was listed in R.L. Polk's Savannah City Directory.
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File:Nelson Ave Water Tower.jpg
The geographical reference of this water tower, located at the intersection of Nelson and Rommel avenues, is Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found..
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Services to the citizens of Garden City include:
Facility | Location |
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Garden City Branch of the Live Oak Public Libraries | 104 Sunshine Avenue |
Port City Branch of the Live Oak Public Libraries | 3501 Houlihan Avenue |
Garden City Community & Senior Citizens | 78 Varnedoe Avenue |
Public parks and recreation
The Garden City Parks and Recreation Department has year-round programs available for citizens. Youth sports include baseball, girls' fast pitch softball, T-ball, football, cheerleading, soccer, gymnastics and basketball. The city also provides non-team activities such as a summer day camp (Camp Eagle), roller skating, after-school programs, and a center for senior citizens. Garden City is home to five public parks. All are managed by the municipal City Parks & Recreation Department, headquartered at 160B Priscilla D. Thomas Way.[27]
Park | Location | Primary use | Monuments/facilities |
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Bazemore Park | 1 Bud Brown Drive | Recreational | Baseball complex |
Griffin Park | 500 Griffin Road | Recreational | Playground |
The Park at Sharon Park | 507 Sharon Park Drive | Recreational | Two playgrounds, gazebo, pond and hiking trail |
Town Green | 100 Central Avenue | Esthetic | Fountain and benches |
Volunteer Park | 5100 Augusta Road (State Highway 21) | Commemorative | Fountain and benches |
Other landmarks
Other landmarks located in Garden City include:
- The Air National Guard facility at 1401 Robert B. Miller, Jr. Road
- Coastal State Prison, located at 200 Gulfstream Road and dedicated on May 12, 1981; it replaced the Chatham Correctional Institution as the local-based state-run correctional facility[28]
- The Dotson House (the oldest residence in Garden City), built in 1850 and moved from the surroundings of George A. Mercer School to the site of the current town center[29]
- Fire Department Station No. 1, 160 Main Street
- Fire Department Station No. 2, 2406 U.S. Highway 80 West
- The Order of the Eastern Star's local branch, located at 131 Rommel Avenue
- The county-run Sharon Park Solid Waste Drop-Off Center, located at 50 Kelly Road
- A statue of baseball icon Babe Ruth, which stands on the front lawn of Babe's Barbeque Shack, 525 U.S. Highway 80 West
- Hillcrest Abby West Cemetery, located on Dean Forest Road
- Several roadside welcome signs, posted near the city limits
- Several water towers
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ MB – State Farmers' Markets Alive and Well, Georgia Department of Agriculture website
- ↑ "City at a Glance", City of Garden City, 2009
- ↑ Garden City, 50th Anniversary Book
- ↑ Ed Jackson and Charles Pou, "This Day in Georgia History", Digital Library of Georgia, University of Georgia, 2010
- ↑ Changes reshaping municipal government in Garden City, Savannah Morning News, March 8, 2009
- ↑ Charles Cochran, Race seems like musical chairs, Savannah Morning News, October 3, 2003
- ↑ DeLoach served as Mayor of Garden City in 1973–1979
- ↑ Dorothy Barnes Pelote resigned in 1990 before the completion of her term of office and was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives.
- ↑ Eddie DeLoach is the son of James M. “Jimmie” DeLoach.
- ↑ Dr. Priscilla D. Thomas was elected to complete Dorothy Barnes Pelote's unexpired term and was re-elected to a full term in 1992.
- ↑ Kicklighter served as Mayor of Garden City in 1998–2000
- ↑ "City of Savannah Neighborhoods 2008." City of Savannah. Retrieved on September 15, 2010.
- ↑ "Coastal State Prison." Georgia Department of Corrections. Retrieved on September 15, 2010.
- ↑ Savannah Chatham County Public School System official website
- ↑ Mercer Middle School
- ↑ Garden City 50th Anniversary Book 1989
- ↑ Garden City 50th Anniversary Book 1989 p 53
- ↑ Garden City Elementary School
- ↑ City-Data.com website
- ↑ Garden City Parks and Recreation Department
- ↑ Don Lowery, Staff Writer, Officials Dedicate New Correctional Facility, Savannah Morning News, May 13, 1981
- ↑ Dotson House Restoration Project: Preserving Garden City's History, Genevieve Rogers, The Spirit Newspapers, August 23, 2007