Houston County Insider

Category: Houston County History

  • Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry: The Hero of Lake Erie

    Have you ever wondered where Perry, GA, got its name? Perry was the first incorporated municipality in Houston County and, in 1824, was named after Oliver Hazard Perry – an American naval commander whose striking military achievements captivated the nation!

    Portrait of Oliver Hazard Perry

    Oliver Hazard Perry died young, on his 34th birthday in 1819. By that time he was a famous naval hero, mainly for his crucial role in the War of 1812. While still in his 20s, Perry orchestrated a crucial victory in the Battle of Lake Erie. It was a turning point in the war, marking the first time in history that an American naval fleet defeated a British fleet in open battle – which was huge! It catapulted him to national fame, and he was celebrated in newspapers, songs and paintings all over the US.

    Perry’s fame came at a time when large swaths of America were still largely unsettled and undeveloped, resulting in many new places being named for him. Perry, GA, was incorporated in 1824, at a time when his legacy lingered strong in the mind of the nation, just 5 years after his death.

    In addition to our own Perry, GA, for example, there is the town of Hazard, KY, which lies in Perry County – honoring both his middle and last names and leading us to a possible insight about the Dukes of Hazzard!

    The Dukes of Hazzard was a TV show in the 80s set in Hazzard County, GA – a county which doesn’t actually exist. The first 5 episodes were actually filmed in Covington, GA, but the on-screen location was never pinned down in the show and has long been a mystery to fans (after the first 5 episodes, they moved filming to California). However, it very well may have been inspired by the namesake of Oliver Hazard Perry and – who knows – Hazzard County could have even been a veiled reference to our beloved hometown in Middle Georgia!

    Today, the City of Perry proudly bears its name in honor of Perry’s legacy, having grown for nearly 200 years into an increasingly prominent role as the Crossroads of Georgia.

  • The Amazing Story Behind How Warner Robins was Named – Why It’s Not “Wellston” Anymore!

    Throughout the US, there are a dozen “Macon”s and 20 “Atlanta”s – but only ONE Warner Robins! How did Warner Robins get its totally unique name?

    Robins Air Force Base (photo credit: Bill Golladay)

    Warner Robins was originally known as Wellston – you can still see vestiges of that name around town. And, in 1942, a brand new air force base was constructed in Wellston following America’s entry into World War II – but it was named Wellston Army Air Depot. So what changed???

    The base’s first commander, Colonel Charles Thomas, wanted to honor his mentor, General Warner Robins, by naming the depot after him. BUT regulations prevented him from doing so – the rules stated that the base must be named after the nearest town.

    Colonel Thomas was not one to back down easily! He rallied the community leaders and convinced them to rename the town of Wellston to Warner Robins. If you can’t change the rules, change the game!

    The town officially became Warner Robins later that year, and the base was renamed after General Robins as well a month later – all thanks to one man’s tenacity and innovation!

    Just think, we could have ended up alongside 5 other “Wellston”s in America. No, thanks! I’m proud of our origins and glad to stand out!

    Let’s keep the fighting spirit and game-changing attitude of the Heart City alive. Remember, Warner Robins residents… you are one of a kind!

  • Carl Vinson: The Congressman Who Helped Build Warner Robins

    Carl Vinson’s work in Congress made a lasting impact on Houston County – here’s why!

    Many important Houston County government buildings line Carl Vinson Drive in Warner Robins – if you live here, you’ve probably been there! Did you ever wonder who Carl Vinson was and why Warner Robins has a street named after him?

    Carl Vinson was a United States Representative from Georgia who served in Congress for over 50 years. He was born in 1883 in Baldwin County, Georgia, and grew up on a farm in the small town of Milledgeville.

    Vinson’s political career began in 1908, when he was elected to the Georgia State Legislature. He served in the legislature for several years before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1914. Vinson served in Congress until his death in 1981, making him the longest-serving member of Congress in U.S. history.

    During his time in Congress, Vinson played a key role in the development of Warner Robins, Georgia. He worked to secure funding for the construction of Robins Air Force Base, which was established in 1941 and has since grown to become one of the largest and most important military installations in the country.

    Vinson was instrumental in the growth and development of Warner Robins as a city. He helped to bring new businesses and industries to the area, and he worked to improve infrastructure and create new job opportunities for the residents of Warner Robins.

    In addition to his work on behalf of the Heart City, Vinson was also a strong advocate for the military and for veterans. He worked to ensure that servicemembers and their families received the support and benefits they needed, and he was a vocal supporter of military programs and initiatives.

    Carl Vinson was a key figure in the history of Warner Robins, and his contributions to the city and the country will not be forgotten. His legacy lives on in the city that bears his name, and in the countless lives he touched through his tireless work in Congress.

  • Why is Warner Robins Called “Heart City”?

    Warner Robins is also known as Heart City, International City and Wonderful Robins.

    With a population of over 80,000 people, Warner Robins is a thriving community with a rich history and a bright future. But why is it known as “Heart City”?

    Nearby Macon, GA, is known as “The Heart of Georgia” for its centrality to the state. Up-and-coming Warner Robins shares the centrality of Macon but has earned the title “Heart City” for its explosive development as a burgeoning center for commerce, transportation and culture.

    The origins of the “Heart City” nickname can be traced back to the 1950s, when Warner Robins was still a small town with a population of just a few thousand people. The establishment of Robins Air Force Base in 1941 brought rapid growth to the area. RAF has since grown to become one of the largest and most important military installations in the United States.

    As the air force base grew in size and importance, so did Warner Robins. The town became a center for military training, research, and development, and it attracted a diverse population of service members, civilians, and their families. This diversity led to another moniker for Warner Robins: “Georgia’s International City.”

    In the years following World War II, Warner Robins developed at an impressive pace that is still accelerating today, becoming a major economic center for the region. The city’s strong economy and central location make it a natural choice for businesses, and it naturally grew into a hub for transportation and logistics, with easy access to major highways and interstates.

    Today, Warner Robins is a thriving city with a diverse economy, a strong sense of community and a bright future! It is home to a number of military, civilian and government organizations, as well as a wide range of businesses and industries.

    The “Heart City” nickname is a fitting tribute to Warner Robins’ role as a center for commerce, transportation, and culture. It is a city that is at the heart of Georgia, and it is a place where families from all walks of life come together and thrive.