07 LC 96
2472
House
Resolution 519
By:
Representatives Benton of the
31st
and McCall of the
30th
A
RESOLUTION
Celebrating
the centennial of the City of Nicholson; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
originally a community named Cooper, the town was established in Jackson County,
Georgia, in 1876 and was renamed Nicholson in honor of J. Nicholson, president
of the railroad line that passed through the town, and incorporated on August
22, 1907; and
WHEREAS,
agribusiness has played a major role in the economy of the area, and after the
addition of a fuel stop, the town was soon home to a number of businesses such
as a mattress factory, a hat factory, a jewelry store, cotton gins, and general
stores; and
WHEREAS,
Nicholson was especially devastated during the Great Depression, and its charter
fell inactive from 1937 until the city was reenacted in 1972; and
WHEREAS,
education has always been a high priority for the citizens of Nicholson, who
take a special interest in public school functions, and the town has established
a reputation as the home of noted professionals in business, education, law,
medicine, the arts, and the ministry; and
WHEREAS,
religious life has played a central role in the Nicholson community since its
beginning, and some of its earliest churches include Antioch United Methodist,
established in 1799; Nicholson United Methodist, established in 1906, closed in
1994, and now known as the Nicholson Civic Center; Nicholson Baptist,
established in 1909; Nicholson Pentecostal Fire-Baptized Holiness, established
in 1918; and Nicholson Congregational Holiness Church, established in 1921;
and
WHEREAS,
the face of Nicholson has gone through many transformations as the years have
passed, and the old fuel stop has given way to more modern structures as the
town has added new businesses and residences for a growing and increasingly
culturally diverse population;
and
WHEREAS, Nicholson is proud of its warm hospitality, and has welcomed residents from all parts of the country and world; and
WHEREAS, Nicholson is proud of its warm hospitality, and has welcomed residents from all parts of the country and world; and
WHEREAS,
originally, city hall was located on the campus of Benton Elementary School; it
moved to a location adjacent to the Nicholson Area Volunteer Fire Department and
then to its present location in a building donated by the Jackson County Board
of Commissioners located on Lakeview Drive; and
WHEREAS,
Nicholson opened its first public library in 1975, and the present building, the
Harold S. Swindle Public Library, was opened in 1990 and contains a Wall of
Honor which pays tribute to area military personnel dating from the Civil War to
the present; and
WHEREAS,
the library hosts a variety of community activities, including summer reading
programs and classes of interest to area residents, and, in honor of the town's
centennial, library supporters have compiled and are offering for sale a special
Nicholson area cookbook; and
WHEREAS,
the City of Nicholson will celebrate its 100th anniversary on Saturday, June 30,
2007 with the theme, "One Hundred Reasons to Celebrate Nicholson, Georgia," and
is planning a number of activities to commemorate its 100th birthday, including
the presentation of a historical play, a display of historical photographs, a
digital display of Nicholson families and scenes, a performance by a local
storyteller, music by local groups, traditional games, and fireworks;
and
WHEREAS,
the City of Nicholson continues to look with optimism toward the future while
keeping the proud memory of its beginning close to its heart to share with
succeeding generations.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body join in celebrating the centennial of the City of Nicholson, Georgia,
and honor the rich heritage of its 100 years.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Mayor Ronnie
Maxwell.