Lyons in Toombs County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Toombs County

By Mike Stroud, 2009

1. Toombs County Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Toombs County was created by Act of Aug. 18, 1905 from Emanuel, Montgomery and Tattnall. It was named for Gen. Robert Augustus Toombs 1810-1885), of Wilkes County, Congressman and Senator. One of the chief organizers of the Confederate government, he was Secretary of State and Brig. Gen. Bitterly opposed to Reconstruction, he never took the oath of allegiance after the war. First County Officers, commissioned Oct. 9, 1905, were: R.F. Scarboro, Sheriff; D.T. Gibbs, Clk. Sup. Ct.; R.J. Partin, Tax Rec.; O.V. Sharpe, Tax Col.; B.H. Grace, Sur.; M.D. Cowart, Cor.; John H. Clifton, Ord.; F.A. Thompson, Treas.

Erected 1956 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 138-1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Political Subdivisions • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1943.

Location. 32° 12.161′ N, 82° 19.651′ W. Marker is in Lyons, Georgia, in Toombs County. Marker is on Victory Drive, in the median

Toombs County Marker at the Courthouse image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, April 19, 2009

2. Toombs County Marker at the Courthouse

Toombs County is most famous for its sweet Vidalia onions, the state vegetable of Georgia. In fact, Vidalia is known as the "Sweet Onion Capital of the World." Plain onion seeds, when planted in the sandy loam soil of Toombs County, grow onions that are sweeter and juicier than the average onion. The Ladson Genealogical Library, located in Toombs County, is one of the largest of such libraries in the Southeastern United States. The Altamaha River forms the county's southern border. Some of the special events in Toombs County are the Vidalia Onion Festival, held every spring, the Southeastern Georgia Soapbox Derby, and the Franklinia Playhouse.

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. Between US 280 and Ga 292 at the Courthouse in Lyons. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lyons GA 30436, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 18 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Home of the Vidalia Sweet Onion (approx. 2.1 miles away); Paul Anderson (approx. 5.1 miles away); Dead River Cemetery (approx. 17.2 miles away).

Also see . . . New Georgia Encyclopedia, Toombs County. The arrival of railroads in the 1890s brought settlers from nearby counties and North Carolina. (Submitted on April 24, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Robert Augustus Toombs , for whom the County was named after image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. Brady-Handy Photograph Collection.

3. Robert Augustus Toombs , for whom the County was named after

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 997 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 24, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.