E Pluribus Unum

Just as the United States is made up of 50 states, a federal district, five territories, and nine insular possessions, Jasper County is also made of many towns and communities.

Monticello is, of course, the most populated and the county seat of Jasper County. From looking at a map, it seems all roads do lead to Monticello, the hub of the wheel. And on most days if you stand near the downtown square you will see a lot of wheels as the International Harvester and Peterbilt semi trucks maneuver around corners not really built for them.

Looking out from the hub you will find a large community, Turtle Cove. Although not a town, it does have an elected board of directors and its own water system. Turtle Cove has named all of its streets after birds from the melodious Morning Dove to the squawking Hawk.

Shady Dale to the north of Monticello is famous for two things or maybe three, the annual rodeo, the large egg producer and myth or legend that General Sherman paid the town a visit on his trip across Georgia. No history books or internet website mention the reason for the name of the town, but maybe there was once a gambling man with a shady past named Dale.

The community of Alcovy sits beside the river bend of the Alcovy River and boasts it name on a water tank overlooking Hwy. 212. Then there is Smithboro, Kelly, Hillsboro, Aikenton and Farrar which were probably named for families that made their homes there once upon a time.

Machen is noted for the end of the shortline railroad that drops off cargo for the Norfolk Southern Railroad that breezes through Jasper County, Monticello and crossing over the Ocmulgee River on the way to Jackson. E. C. Machen of New York was a railroad promoter who found funding for a railroad to link Jones, Jasper and Newton counties.

All of our communities and towns come together to make up Jasper County, “e pluribus unum,” out of many, one. If you want to learn more about the history of your hometown and county, our local library has many books on the subject.