Eudora Community Gets Signs

Eudora Community, nine miles north of Monticello on Hwy. 11, has signs again marking the area. With the assistance of State Rep. Susan Holmes, the Department of Transportation recently put up new signs for the community that has been in existence since before 1884.

An item that appeared in the local newspaper November 5, 1884, indicated that an application had been made to the General Assembly of the state of Georgia to incorporate Monticello, Eudora and Social Circle railroad company. Although some preparation work was done, the railroad never materialized through Eudora, but was rerouted through Madison.

In an interview with Carroll Hodge before his death, he recalled hearing the story that workers were dynamiting where Hwy. 11 and Jackson Lake Road intersect and the workers thought the explosion was complete. They went back to the site too quickly and additional explosions occurred killing two people and injuring others.

According to Georgia Place-Names by Kenneth K. Krakow, Eudora, Jasper County got its name from the Greek term, eudora, meaning “generous (or good) gifts.” Eudora appears on maps as early as 1890 and is still on Georgia maps today. It is often referred to in weather reports and appears on weather apps on smart phones.

At one time, Eudora was a bustling center of activity. An article by Lucille Harvey about ‘Downtown’ Eudora appeared in The Monticello News in June, 1982. She interviewed Mr. E. N. Ozburn, who was 86 at the time and had been operating a service station in the middle of Eudora for 58 years. He recalled being able to count at least 100 houses between his store and the Newton County line.

Mrs. Harvey also interviewed Lyle Allen who had done research and discovered at least 20 stores had served the area at some time in the past. One landmark that some may remember is the old post office, store, and Masonic hall that stood next to the house of Loice Allen, Jr., Lyle Allen’s father. The house, which still stands, was also lived in by Loice Allen, Sr. and his father, Albert Allen.

Lyle‘s twin, Kyle, recently said he and their other siblings were the sixth generation to live in the house. The article states that Lyle’s great-grandfather, Albert Allen, was the store owner and most likely the postmaster, as well. Mr. Ozburn recalled that news of the end of World War I was delivered along with the mail.

Eudora community has also been known as Prospect community over the years, probably because of the church by that name and the old school that was first located behind the church and later in the building occupied now by Suzie Q’s, a convenience store and gas station. DD Taxidermy and Monticello Wildlife Processing are next door. Mr. Ozburn’s store, once a popular gathering place for residents of the community, has been closed for a number of years.

The small community boasts several churches. Prospect United Methodist Church was established in 1844 and is still thriving. New Rocky Creek Baptist, another thriving church, was founded in 1874. Other churches include Trinity Praise Center, New Prospect Liberty CME Church, Rock Creek Baptist Church and Rock Spring Baptist Church.

Pictured around the sign for this historic occasion are Robert Lewis, Robin Carey, Katybeth Carey, Benny Lewis, Rose Lewis, Charles Mason, Sandra Wild, Hayden Carey, Tony Wild, Kyle Allen, Mildred Wild, Susan Holmes, Linda Piper, Carole Allen, Lyle Allen, Rosemary Pruett and Billy Pruett.

Thanks is offered to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office which was kind enough to stop traffic so the photo could be made without the danger of anyone being hur