hr208.html
07 LC 96 2178
House Resolution 208
By: Representatives Benton of the 31st and McCall of the 30th

A RESOLUTION


Celebrating the centennial anniversary 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, the addition of a fuel stop in the area encouraged growth, and 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, and the arts; 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 Baptist, established in 1909; and Nicholson Pentecostal Fire-Baptized Holiness, established in 1918; 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 adds new businesses and residences for a growing and increasingly culturally diverse population; and

WHEREAS, Nicholson is proud of its warm hospitality, has welcomed residents from all parts of the country and world, and has seen the growth of a large Hispanic community; 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 upon completion of the new city hall building donated by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners; 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 notable 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 centennial anniversary on Saturday, June 30, 2007, and is planning a number of activities to commemorate its 100th birthday, including the presentation of an 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 anniversary 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.