COMMUNITY

BUILDING A STRONG COMMUNITY
As Decatur County citizens, we know that a strong community doesn't just happen - it is something that must be built with pro-active efforts and planning. A community can only truly improve by realizing its weaknesses and knowing its strengths. We take pride in the fact that we've built a community that has a generous heart and is constantly recognized for displaying "Southern Hospitality".

Our slogan "Georgia At Its Best" begins, literally, with where we live - the beautiful countryside, the gorgeous weather, and the wonderful citizens that comprise our communities.

Recreation: Decatur County has an abundance of recreational activities, indoors and outdoors, for all ages. We have very active youth programs including baseball, softball, soccer, football, and more. We have golf courses (public and private) for those that have the uncontrollable urge to play golf. Our local YMCA maintains a nice, automated-scoring Bowling Alley open to the public.

   » View more information on our Recreational Activities

LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Our local governments, city, county, and state, are composed of real citizens with real families and real ideas. Our officials are not locked away in an unreachable corner, but are easily accessible and open to differing opinions and philosophies. Decatur County is large enough to offer many choices in all areas of life, but small enough so that almost everyone knows at least some of the elected officials in some capacity, whether directly or indirectly. We have an active community that is always encouraged to express ideas and thoughts, whether through our local newspaper, The Post Searchlight, through one of our two (2) radio stations, WMGR or LIVE1019, Bainbridgega.com, or through other means.

For more detailed information on our governing agencies, visit the following web sites:
   » City of Bainbridge
   » Decatur County
   » State of Georgia
 

HISTORY: Long before the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto first even thought of setting foot on what is now Decatur County soil in 1540, the early Seminole Indians thrived on the bluffs along the Flint River. They believed very strongly that their souls were intertwined with the "soul" of the land - that WHERE they were was a part of WHO they were.

Many of the people that now live in Decatur County understand exactly what the Seminoles must have felt. In fact, there are direct descendants from those same Native Americans that count themselves residents of Decatur County. To us all, this wonderful place is much more than geography - it is a part of who we are.

Bainbridge and Decatur County has seen generations of Southerners witness the evolution of our magnificent landscape. Our history is rich with Indian lore, scarred by battle, and blessed with beautifully preserved monuments that honor the changes that our area has experienced over its long history.

Commodore Stephen Decatur

Commodore William Bainbridge

 
Decatur County was originally formed by the Georgia Legislature in 1823 and named for Commodore Stephen Decatur, a naval hero during the War of 1812. Even before that, in 1765, the present site of Bainbridge was an Indian village known as Pucknawhitla. As early as 1778, it became known as Burgess Town, when a trader named James Burgess established a trading post here. It later became a federal outpost and was named Fort Hughes. In 1824, Fort Hughes was named Bainbridge for Commodore William Bainbridge, Commander of "Old Ironsides" during the War of 1812. The City of Bainbridge was incorporated in 1829 and has undergone constant growth since that time.