Houston County Insider

Tag: Georgia

  • 5 Tips for Peaches to Beaches 2023 – Starts Tomorrow at 8 am in Houston County!

    Are you ready for Peaches to Beaches in Perry this weekend, Houston County??

    The annual 200-mile yard sale is a Middle GA bargain hunter’s paradise, with hundreds of official vendors and many private individuals selling everything from antiques to clothing to furniture. all along Hwy 341, from Barnesville to Brunswick!

    To help you make the most of your shopping experience, here are 5 tips for your Peaches to Beaches bargain hunting:

    1. Plan Your Route – Before you head out, map out your route and mark the locations of the vendors you want to visit. This will help you stay organized and save time! Are you going to just see what’s available in Perry, or meander down 341 a ways for private yard sales? You could plan to hit up the official stops in Fort Valley and Hawkinsville as well – whatever you decide, it’s always good to know before you go!
    2. Bring cash – Many vendors at Peaches to Beaches only accept cash, so make sure you have enough on hand. And don’t forget to bring small bills and change for haggling!
    3. Dress comfortably – You might be doing a lot of walking and browsing, so wear comfortable shoes and clothes – it should be in the mid-60s. You might also want sunscreen, a hat and water to stay hydrated.
    4. Shop early for the best stuff, shop late for the best deals – The early bird catches the worm, but the best deals at any yard sale come at closing! These are also the best times to avoid the crowds.
    5. Negotiate – Haggling is part of the fun at Peaches to Beaches, so don’t be afraid to challenge the first price! But show some Southern charm – be polite and respectful, and remember that these folks are also trying to make it worth their while.

    Get those deals at Peaches to Beaches in Perry this year, HoCo!

  • Peaches to Beaches: Don’t Miss GA’s Yard Sale Extravaganza in Perry!

    Peaches to Beaches is a Houston County tradition to be excited about! Check out the local deals in downtown Perry this year and follow 341 to your heart’s content!

    Hey there, Houston County! Are you ready for one of the biggest annual events in Georgia? Peaches to Beaches is a 200-mile long treasure hunt that stretches all the way from the peach-filled city of Barnesville to the sandy shores of Brunswick, running along Highway 341 the whole way INCLUDING right through our own downtown Perry, GA in Houston County!

    From March 10-11, 2023, folks from all over the state will be flocking to Hwy 341 to explore the numerous sales hosted by residents and businesses along the way. There are official vendors and designated sites along the way that you’ll see banners and signs for (official times are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.), but part of the fun is driving along 341 for a smorgasbord of private yard sales that accompany the official ones.

    If you’re looking for great deals and exciting vendors nearby, look no further than downtown Perry! There are also hubs nearby in Fort Valley as well as Hawkinsville, and you might also get caught up in curiosity chasing deals all the way to Brunswick if you’re so inclined! More details are at their website, including how to become an official vendor.

    Whether you’re a seasoned yard sale pro or a newbie looking to score some great deals, Peaches to Beaches is the place to be! Join us in downtown Perry, HoCo is the place to be!

  • 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!

  • 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.