Atkinson County, Georgia - History


Submitted by Karen Batten <bordeaux@surfsouth.com>


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Georgia
Atkinson County

ATKINSON COUNTY, GEORGIA HISTORY
Atkinson County's earliest occupants were Indians of a pre-Creek civilization; possibly of
the Muskhogean cultures. The Creek Indians later occupied the territory. The last Indian 
stand in the area was about 1 1/2 miles from the town of Willacoochee on the Alapaha River.
 The story states that so many Indians were massacred that the river ran red with blood. 
The earliest settlers were comprised of Revolutionary soldiers or their families.

The territory was rich with virgin pines which the settlers used to construct homes, 
later contributing largely to the economy of Atkinson County. The Satilla River 
(pronounced "Sentilly" locally) was the main link to the coast. The first loggers 
were the Tanner, Gillis, and Griffis families of Atkinson County. The men would raft 
the logs down the Satilla River to Burnt Fort.

Atkinson County was created from parts of Clinch and Coffee Counties on August 15, 1917. 
Atkinson County was the 151st county formed with only 8 more counties to follow. The county 
was named for William Yates Atkinson, Georgia's governor from 1894-1898. It is bordered by 
the following counties: Clinch, Coffee, Lanier, Berrien, and Ware. Atkinson County towns 
are Pearson, the county seat; Axson, once known as McDonald's Mill; Willacoochee; and Kirkland.

The Brunswick and Western Railroad constructed around 1875, brought a period of growth to 
these towns. 
The Brunswick and Western Railroad later became the Atlantic Coastline. 
The Brunswick-Western and the Georgia-Florida Railroads intersected in Willacoochee.

Pearson was incorporated December 27, 1890 and was named after Benejah Pearson, the grandfather
of Pearson's first mayor Jeff Kirkland. The city first surveyed by R.D. Meador, had 32 
(1 acre) blocks; 4 blocks east and 8 blocks north. In 1898, the city was surveyed again by T.B.
Marshall into a perfect square using the railroad as a dividing line.

Pearson had a post office before Douglas due to the railroad. The postmaster from Douglas 
had to travel to Pearson to collect the mail. Pearson's first postmaster was a Mr. Holtzendorff.
 The newspaper, The Pearson Tribune, was begun in 1915 by a Mr. Roland. It's earliest editor,
 B.T. Allen. The Atkinson County Citizen began publication in September 1954 by Bird Yarbrough.
 Willacoochee, formerly known as Danielsville, was the first town chartered in Atkinson County 
on November 12, 1889.

Willacoochee is an Indian name believed to mean wildcat. Willacoochee also had a newspaper
between 1910-1930 known as "The Willacoochee Times" and other various names.

Axson was named McDonald's Mill for the McDonald's large sawmill. When the county was created,
the name was changed in honor of President Woodrow Wilson's wife. About 1875 a small railroad 
was built connecting Axson and Douglas.

Kirkland was named for Joseph Kirkland and was a trading center before the arrival of the
railroad. One of the oldest churches in Atkinson County, Antioch Church and cemetery, is 
located northwest of Kirkland.

 
Cities & Communities in Atkinson County
Pearson-Kirkland-Williacoochee-Axson