LaGrange in Troup County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Troup County
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, December 19, 2013
1. Troop County Marker
Inscription.
Troup County. . The Georgia State Legislature established Troup County and four other counties in West Georgia in 1826. After choosing a location near the geographic center of the county, local leaders named the new county seat after Chateau de Lagrange the French country home of the Marquis de Lafayette, the French hero of the American Revolution. The area around the Square has witnessed many political rallies, parades, and social gatherings. The Truitt Opera House on Main Street hosted many special performances and cultural events. The building stood from the 1850s until 1989 (Above left)., Court Square began a gathering spot in the center of town. People shopped at local businesses and socialized, farmers sold their crops, children played on the courthouse lawn, and merchants and their customers played checkers in front of the stores. In 1888, Fuller E. Callaway, Sr., opened Callaway’s Mammoth Department Store. The store operated until 1932. Callaway’s was known for innovative marking and advertising., Troup County has had four Courthouse buildings. The first built in 1829 of red brick, stood in the center of what became known as the Court Square. In 1904, the county opened the next courthouse. Designed by A.J. Bryan and Company of New Orleans, this three-story structure served the county until November 5, 1936, when it burned. Court was in session and two women, a public health nurse, and her patient died. The third courthouse, designed by architect William J. J. Chase, opened in 1939, a block off the Square. This building served as the main courthouse until 2002, when construction began on the government service center. The third courthouse was renovated for special purposes and juvenile court. (Shown in background, center panel, left.) Throughout Troup County’s history, the courthouse and court square have served as the “heart” of the county., Between 1924 and 1945, Troop County residents often saw Franklin D. Roosevelt drive by in his convertible. The 32nd president of the United States often visited during his stays at the Little White House in Warm Springs. Newell’s Hat Shop was a popular in-town attraction between 1931 and 1977. Women from as far away as Columbus, chartered buses to purchase the newest styles in hats from Newell’s. LaGrange city Hall opened in 1927 on Ridley Avenue and is still in use., Black-owned business and professional offices including blue Goose Café, lined the first blocks of Vernon and Hines Street, creating thriving business districts. County and city residents alike often came to town on Saturday to shop. Other long-time businesses located around or near the Square included: Park and Colonial Hotels, Lehmann’s Jewelry, (E. Court) Mansour’s (W. Court), Cleveland-Dodd, (E. Court), LaGrange Banking Company (S. Court), Hudson Hardware (Main St.), Davis Pharmacy (N. Court), Spinks Hardware (E. Court), Bradfield’s Department Store (E. Court), Mallory Realty (Main St.), J.E. Dunson Bros. (S. Court) and Charlie Joseph’s (Main and Bull Streets).
The Georgia State Legislature established Troup County and four other counties in West Georgia in 1826. After choosing a location near the geographic center of the county, local leaders named the new county seat after Chateau de Lagrange the French country home of the Marquis de Lafayette, the French hero of the American Revolution. The area around the Square has witnessed many political rallies, parades, and social gatherings. The Truitt Opera House on Main Street hosted many special performances and cultural events. The building stood from the 1850s until 1989 (Above left).
Court Square began a gathering spot in the center of town. People shopped at local businesses and socialized, farmers sold their crops, children played on the courthouse lawn, and merchants and their customers played checkers in front of the stores. In 1888, Fuller E. Callaway, Sr., opened Callaway’s Mammoth Department Store. The store operated until 1932. Callaway’s was known for innovative marking and advertising.
Troup County has had four Courthouse buildings. The first built in 1829 of red brick, stood in the center of what became known as the Court Square. In 1904, the county opened the next courthouse. Designed by A.J. Bryan and Company of New Orleans, this three-story structure served the county until November 5, 1936, when it burned.
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Court was in session and two women, a public health nurse, and her patient died. The third courthouse, designed by architect William J. J. Chase, opened in 1939, a block off the Square. This building served as the main courthouse until 2002, when construction began on the government service center. The third courthouse was renovated for special purposes and juvenile court. (Shown in background, center panel, left.) Throughout Troup County’s history, the courthouse and court square have served as the “heart” of the county.
Between 1924 and 1945, Troop County residents often saw Franklin D. Roosevelt drive by in his convertible. The 32nd president of the United States often visited during his stays at the Little White House in Warm Springs. Newell’s Hat Shop was a popular in-town attraction between 1931 and 1977. Women from as far away as Columbus, chartered buses to purchase the newest styles in hats from Newell’s. LaGrange city Hall opened in 1927 on Ridley Avenue and is still in use.
Black-owned business and professional offices including blue Goose Café, lined the first blocks of Vernon and Hines Street, creating thriving business districts. County and city residents alike often came to town on Saturday to shop. Other long-time businesses located around or near the Square included: Park and Colonial Hotels, Lehmann’s Jewelry, (E. Court) Mansour’s (W. Court),
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, December 19, 2013
2. Troop County Marker (left)
Cleveland-Dodd, (E. Court), LaGrange Banking Company (S. Court), Hudson Hardware (Main St.), Davis Pharmacy (N. Court), Spinks Hardware (E. Court), Bradfield’s Department Store (E. Court), Mallory Realty (Main St.), J.E. Dunson Bros. (S. Court) and Charlie Joseph’s (Main and Bull Streets).
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is November 5, 1780.
Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 33° 2.304′ N, 85° 1.895′ W. Marker was in LaGrange, Georgia, in Troup County. Marker could be reached from the intersection of South Lafayette Square (U.S. 29) and Bull Street, on the right when traveling east. Both mural and marker have been permanently removed. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 111 Bull Street, Lagrange GA 30240, United States of America.
We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Also see . . . New Georgia Encycloepdia. Counties, Cities & Neighborhoods
Lagrange Ga (Submitted on February 3, 2014, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, December 19, 2013
4. Troop County Marker (right)
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, December 19, 2013
5. Troop County Mural
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, June 30, 2023
6. Marker and mural have both been permanently removed.
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, December 19, 2013
7. Troop County Courthouse 1904-1936
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, December 19, 2013
8. Truit Opera House circa 1890/
Callaway's Mammoth Department Store circa 1900
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, December 19, 2013
9. Newell's Hat Shop Circa 1935/
Blue Goose Cafe Circa 1960
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, December 19, 2013
10. Troop County Government Center
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, December 19, 2013
11. LaGrange Theater
201 Main St, LaGrange, GA 30240
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, December 19, 2013
12. LaFayette Square
Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2014, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 748 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on November 4, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 3, 2014, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 6. submitted on November 4, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on February 3, 2014, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.