Irwinville, Georgia
In 1831, the community of Irwinville emerged as the seat for newly formed Irwin County. The town was originally named "Irwinsville" to honor Georgia governor Jared Irwin. This name remained until 1857 when the settlement incorporated as a town and dropped the final S. The decision reflected local desires to simplify the spelling while maintaining historical ties. Early records show the area was a quiet hub in southern Georgia before gaining national attention decades later.
On the 9th of May 1865, Confederate President Jefferson Davis stopped at a hotel owned by Doctor G.E. White. He socialized with locals without revealing his true identity or status. The next morning, Union troops from the First Wisconsin and Fourth Michigan Cavalry Regiments captured him near a creek bed. A heavy rainstorm had soaked his overcoat and wife's scarf during his escape attempt. Today, a monument marks this spot within the Jefferson Davis Memorial Historic Site. Visitors can explore hiking trails and picnic facilities there now.
Mid-February 1865 saw Southern Unionists led by miller Willis Jackson Bone assemble in Irwinville. They declared the county's return to the Union after passing a resolution. Bone knocked down a militia lieutenant with a musket during the confrontation. Three cheers for Abraham Lincoln followed the incident. Later that year, Bone was hanged near his pond after killing justice of the peace Jack Walker. Walker had tried to take escaped slave Toney into custody while Bone brought food to him.
Three courthouses stood in Irwinville between 1831 and 1907. Benjamin Baker built the first one for about $1,500. It featured a shingle roof and stood story-and-a-half tall. Loam Brown constructed a second courthouse in 1854 costing $1,323. The third courthouse cost $4,080 and used plain white siding with a tin roof. In August 1907, the county seat moved to Ocilla after decades of debate. The old courthouse remained in use until a new facility opened in 1910.
The Ocilla & Irwinville Railroad operated eleven miles of track from October 1900 onward. It owned one locomotive, one passenger carriage, and forty-six freight carriages. The line was purchased by the Brunswick & Birmingham Railroad around March 1903. Track abandonment occurred in 1916 before removal followed shortly after. A post office served the town until 2012 when costs forced closure. Several banks operated there through the early twentieth century, leaving behind historic buildings still standing today.
Between 1935 and 1939, the Works Progress Administration launched the Irwinville Farms Project. This initiative built a cooperative cotton gin near Quick Change #50 store. It also created a school playground, health clinic, and monument at Jefferson Davis Memorial Historic Site. An old courthouse converted into apartments for farm families during this period. Sports programs flourished alongside the famous Irwinville Farmers basketball team. A May Day-health festival brought community members together regularly throughout those years.
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Common questions
When was Irwinville Georgia established as the seat of Irwin County?
Irwinville emerged as the seat for newly formed Irwin County in 1831. The community originally bore the name Irwinsville to honor Georgia governor Jared Irwin before dropping the final S upon incorporation in 1857.
Where did Confederate President Jefferson Davis get captured near Irwinville Georgia?
Confederate President Jefferson Davis got captured by Union troops from the First Wisconsin and Fourth Michigan Cavalry Regiments on the 9th of May 1865 near a creek bed. A monument now marks this location within the Jefferson Davis Memorial Historic Site where he had stopped at a hotel owned by Doctor G.E. White.
Who led Southern Unionists in Irwinville Georgia during mid February 1865?
Southern Unionists were led by miller Willis Jackson Bone who assembled in Irwinville in mid-February 1865. Bone declared the county's return to the Union after passing a resolution and later faced execution following his confrontation with justice of the peace Jack Walker.
How many courthouses stood in Irwinville Georgia between 1831 and 1907?
Three courthouses stood in Irwinville between 1831 and 1907 before the county seat moved to Ocilla in August 1907. Benjamin Baker built the first courthouse for about $1,500 while Loam Brown constructed a second one in 1854 costing $1,323.
When did the Ocilla & Irwinville Railroad operate its eleven miles of track from October 1900 onward?
The Ocilla & Irwinville Railroad operated eleven miles of track from October 1900 until track abandonment occurred in 1916. The line was purchased by the Brunswick & Birmingham Railroad around March 1903 and owned one locomotive plus forty-six freight carriages during its operation.