WPA
HAMILTON COUNTY
In May 1824, a man by the name of Daniel Bell came down the Alapaha River from Georgia. He was guided by an Indian chief and settled in Florida near Micco, an Indian village on the Alapaha. This was the first white settlement in this section. When Hamilton County was created Dec. 26th, 1827, Micco was name as its county seat. The boundaries of Hamilton County were designated as follows: the Suwannee River on the east and south, the [Withlacoochee] River on the west and the state of Georgia on the north. These boundaries are the same now. The county has a total area of 508 square miles.
Daniel Bell's children, Alex and Margaret, were the first white children born in Hamilton County. Soon other members of the Bell family and their friends joined them and by 1830 there was a recorded population of 530. The present population is approximately 10,000.
While Micco continued to be the county seat, court was held in a log house. In 1835, the settlements having shifted, the county seat was moved to a place within one mile of its present site, and was named Jasper in honor of Sergeant Jasper. In 1850 a two-story frame building was erected to be used as a Court House. In 1891, the present Court House was built of brick. This building was damaged by fire in 1929. It was remodeled in 1932, brick and concrete being used.
omit In 1860 the Plant System R. R., now the Atlantic Coast Line, was built through Hamilton. Ther [sic] Southern R. R. also runs through the county.
omit! This county is traversed by State Road No. 2 over which many tourists pass.
The Alapaha River runs through the county and has a fall of sufficient power to be of commercial value.) [sic] The famous Suwannee [OK] River forms the
Hamilton County
Page #2.
boundary on two sides. Along its course in this county are located White and Suwannee Springs. These are both sulphur springs and are renowned for their health giving properties. The county has other resources of limestone, phosphate and clay. There are many sawmills and naval stores plants in the county and lumber and turpentine industries are of considerable importance. The staple crops are corn, cotton, potatoes, sugar cane, peanuts, watermelons and in recent years, tobacco has become an important crop.
(Hunting and fishing in the streams, lakes and undeveloped parts of the county afford excellent sport for hundreds of sportsmen each year. Omit items of this nature!)
Early in the history of the county schools were established, and in the latter part of the 19th century the Jasper Normal Institute, located at Jasper, was one of the leading schools of the state.
The establishment of churches has played an important part in the history of Hamilton County. At this time there are in the county churches representing the following denominations: Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Adventist, Christian, Church of God and possibly others.
Jasper, White Springs and Jennings are the only incorporated towns in the county.
The county government is similar to that of other counties of the state and is the form prescribed by law. The officers are Clerk
Hamilton County
Page #3.
of the Circuit Court, County Judge, Sheriff, Tax Collector, Tax Assessor, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Supervisor of Registration, five County Commissioners, a Board of Public Instruction, two Justices of the Peace and one Constable. A County Agricultural Agent is employed for full time work and has his office at the Court House. He has done much constructive work among the farmers of the county.
Most of the county records are kept in fire proof vaults and are well cared for. New filing cabinets are being placed in the vault of the Clerk of the Court, and it is evident that an effort is being made to preserve the records.
Listen: The Blues Program
