LaGrange, Georgia

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LaGrange is a city in Troup County, Georgia, United States. It is named after the country estate near Paris of the Marquis de La Fayette, who visited the area in 1825. The population was 25,998 at the 2000 census. It is the principal city of and is included in the LaGrange, Georgia Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Gainesville, Georgia-Alabama (part) Combined Statistical Area.

LaGrange has been the county seat of Troup County since December 16, 1828 and is home to LaGrange College, the oldest private college in the state. Its proximity to West Point Lake, a few miles to the west, makes it a tourist destination for bass fishermen.

1 History

[edit] History

The settlement of LaGrange began in the early 19th century soon after the territory was ceded by the Creek Indians and the subsequent establishment of Troup County, Georgia. The City was incorporated in December of 1828. During the American Civil War, LaGrange was defended by a volunteer women's auxiliary group known as the Nancy Harts. After the Confederate defeat in nearby West Point, Georgia, the Federal troops, led by Colonel Oscar LaGrange, marched north to LaGrange, with Confederate prisoners near the front of the column. The Nancy Harts formed and negotiated a surrender.

Although local assets were burned and looted by Union troops, Colonel LaGrange spared the homes of LaGrange, including Bellevue, the home of Senator Benjamin Harvey Hill . This may have been a returned favor. Colonel LaGrange had previously been under Confederate medical care for wounds received and had been cared for by the niece of Senator Hill. After his care, LaGrange was later exchanged for a Union prisoner and returned to duty. This became an opportunity to return the kindness he had been shown.

To show their gratitude for sparing their homes, one of the Nancy Harts hosted a dinner for Colonel LaGrange, and the Colonel paroled some local prisoners so that they could attend. Many women of the town cooked all night to provide the meal. The next morning the Federal troops marched out taking various men of LaGrange as prisoners of war. They were soon freed when it was learned of Robert E. Lee's previous surrender.

LaGrange developed as a railroad center and as an industrial center for the textile industry which was established and grew from the late 19th century and peaked in the mid-twentieth century. The city was fortunate that as the textile industry declined it was replaced with a diverse mixture of new industry which provided strong employment for a number of years until it too began to decline and move out of the country. The construction beginning in 2006 of a Kia Motors assembly plant in Troup County along with its satellite industries is expected to reverse the falling manufacturing trends.

LaGrange maintained its position as a transportation hub with the completion of Interstates 85 and 185 which pass through the city. This location has benefitted the city development by providing industrial and commercial access for businesses such as Wal-Mart, which opened a Distribution Center several years ago.

LaGrange is a city also known for having great football. Have developed tons of great football players, at both Troup County High School and LaGrange High School. One Magazine stated that Troup County Parks & Rec. was one of the best young football developement programs in america.

[edit] Local landmarks

[edit] Notable residents/natives

Actor, Sound Effects Artist, Composer, etc. Fred Newman.
Award-winning filmmaker/screenwriter Lee Davis.
Professional Golfer Allen Doyle.
Professional baseball player Mike Cameron.
Professional baseball player Dernell Stenson (1978 - 2003).
Professional baseball player Jimmy Haynes.
Professional football player Quintin McCord.
Professional football player Bruce Thornton.
Professional football player Walt Harris.
Professional football player Tyrone Poole.
Former UGA running back, Bob Taylor (the player who scored on the famed "Flea-Flicker Play" against Alabama in 1965).
Former professional football player and current entrepreneur John Johnson.
Rapper Bubba Sparxxx.
R&B, Rock, and Country Music producer/songwriter Chips Moman.
World Finger Jousting Federation President Julian Gluck.
Future graduate of the United States Naval Academy and one of Americas most notable up and coming Attorneys at Law Matthew Rutter
Additionally, the city claims country singer Razzy Bailey, as evidenced by "Welcome to LaGrange" signs denoting the city's various successes and famous sons.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 25,998 people, 10,022 households, and 6,504 families residing in the city. The population density was 346.6/km² (897.8/mi²). There were 11,000 housing units at an average density of 146.7/km² (379.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 47.5% African American, 49.2% White, 0.18% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 1.23% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.44% of the population.

There were 10,022 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.6% were married couples living together, 23.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 85.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,719, and the median income for a family was $36,438. Males had a median income of $29,082 versus $21,790 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,640. About 18.2% of families and 21.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.9% of those under age 18 and 18.4% of those age 65 or over.