UPSON COUNTY, GA - HISTORY  MILLS

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:
Volunteers (RainbowO@aol.com , Diane Caldwell, David Covington

EAST THOMASTON
East Thomaston included the Mill Village...homes for
the mill employees and their families--  a community of
hard working, honest people. It was a place where
children were happy and safe for everyone took care of
all the children. East Thomaston was a place wherein I
(Rainbow) grew up with all these wonderful people and
still enjoy visiting there.

East Thomaston had it's own Police Department with
Chief Wilson and Deputy Porter, grocery stores, auto
repair, barber shops, a beauty shop,  5 & 10 store and
several cafes.


* The History of Upson County states the first
manufacturing factory for cotton and woolen goods was
the Franklin factory by the act of the Georgia
Legislature dated December 21, 1833. The Thomaston
Mills was formed in 1899 by a group of Stockholders and
in December 1899 a Charter was granted and R.E.
Hightower consented to take over the reins of
management.

A. East Thomaston "Old Mill" was chartered in December
1899 This mill is being torn down at the present time
2004

"Old Mill" is located on Barnesville Street with its
gates in front of Paulk Pharmacy.   A Railroad which
runs through Thomaston to Barnesville, GA is located at
the back entrance 

The East Thomaston cemetery is located on Avenue D. The Old
Mill Village  was considered the village facing the
mill which included Avenues D thru L. 

http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/upson/cemeteries/eastthom.txt


B. The Peerless Mill was chartered on July 28, 1919
("Old Mill Cemetery" - The one Diane Caldwell is working on)
http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/upson/cemeteries/oldmill.txt
This cemetery was originally called "Confederates Cemetery" 1867 -- later "Thomaston Colored Cemetery (1897) and now "Old Mill".

C. The Thomaston Bleachery was chartered on August 19,
1924

D. The Martha Mill was chartered on October 2, 1926

CHURCHES OF EAST THOMASTON The Baptist Church and the
METHODIST Church are facing each other just behind the
Old Mill.  The Baptist Church used to be on Avenue F
until about 1943 when the Hightowers built the new one,
along with the new grammar school in the same vicinity.


The Old Methodist Church used to be a big tabernacle
located on Avenue H before the Hightowers built the new
church.  (Hightower Memorial Methodist Church )

The Reverend Herbert Morgan was the Pastor of  the
Baptist Church and the Reverend E.C. Sweatnam was the
Pastor of the Methodist Church.

The East Thomaston Tabernacle which held many large
events...was built on Ave.  H SWIMMING POOL

Along with providing employment for lots of people the
Hightower family did lots of things for the community. 
There was the East Thomaston 	 swimming pool where I
(David)  learned to swim for the employees and their
family.

During the summers  the children used their energies
playing with their friends and each year a
choreographed water shows were swam by these children
in tune to the lights and colors.

SCHOOL Across the side  street of the churches  is the
old East Thomaston Grammar School with Miss Mary
Mitcham as principal and a host of dedicated teachers.
A school with it football, basketball and track teams
as well as its cheerleaders.

NEWSPAPER The Thomaston Mill published a weekly
newspaper "The Spinning Wheel"  which told of the
happening of the East Thomaston.