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Nestled in the heart of Georgia lies the quaint, but thriving city of Perry. Founded in 1821 through a treaty with the Creek Indians, Houston (pronounced “Howston”) County extended from the Ocmulgee River on the eastern boundary to the Flint River on the western boundary. Incorporated in 1824, Perry received its name from Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry for his triumph at Lake Erie in the War of 1812. Perry still serves as the county seat of Houston County.
Originally called “Wattsville”, Perry is now known to many as the “Crossroads of Georgia” because of its location at the intersection of Highways US 341, US 41, GA 127, and I-75. This prime location has encouraged tourism throughout Perry’s history, and has been instrumental in making it the area’s number one industry. The New Perry Hotel has played a vital part of the city’s heritage as it has served travelers since it was known as the Cox Inn dating back to the early 1800’s. Today Perry has 23 motels offering over 1700 rooms.
Located on Big Indian Creek, settlers flocked to Perry from the beginning to take advantage of the fertile soil and favorable climate. Planters focused on cultivating cotton, which remained the number one crop for years, but then followed by peaches, pecans, grains, and peanuts. The earliest industries in Perry were gristmills, sawmills, and cotton gins thus laying the foundation for the strong business environment enjoyed today.
Perry residents have always taken great pride in their cityscapes and residential areas. In 1948, the City of Perry was the winner of the Championship Home Town contest. Families painted their houses and landscaped their yards with colorful azaleas, camellias, and dogwood trees. Today, these plantings are still admired; the Dogwood Festival is enjoyed each Spring because of the many trees that beautify the town.
The State of Georgia built a complex in Perry in the late 1980’s known as The Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter. This state-of-the-art facility has grown from 600 acres to now over 1100 acres. A new conference center was completed in mid summer 2002. Not only is the official state fair held each October, but over 260 events occur at the facility on a yearly basis. Georgia’s agribusiness is promoted and the youth of Georgia are able exhibit and compete at equine, poultry, and livestock shows.
Memorabilia of Perry’s favorite son, Senator (Ret.) Sam Nunn is housed in the Board of Education building and open for the public to enjoy. From his early childhood days as a young boy growing up in Perry to the days he spent in Washington, this tribute highlights his accomplishments.
The outpouring of team spirit and sense of community pride make Perry a good place to do business and a great place to raise a family. Perry has been the crossroads since the Creek Indians traveled on their early trade routes and presently as travelers use the many roads of today that pass through this way.
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