Lyons in Toombs County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Toombs County
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009
1. Toombs County Marker
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
Photographed 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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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lyons Garden Club Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Home of the Vidalia Sweet Onion (approx. 2.1 miles away); Peterson-Wilbanks House (approx. 5.1 miles away); Paul Anderson (approx. 5.1 miles away); McMillan Burial Ground (approx. 5.2 miles away); Unknown Confederate Graves (approx. 5.2 miles away); To Commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (approx. 5.2 miles away); Minenwerfer (approx. 5.4 miles away).
Also see . . . Toombs County. New Georgia Encyclopedia website entry:
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.)
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 November 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,045 times since then and 38 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.
