100 Reasons to Celebrate Nicholson, GA

Nicholson residents tell Living Jackson what makes their town worthy of celebration and why they wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

Compiled by Joshua T. Barnett

Originally called Cooper, the city of Nicholson became just that after J. Nicholson, president of the railroad at the time, agreed to place a fuel stop in Cooper so that the residents could sell their wood to the railroad and create an economy for the growing community. One hundred years ago, in 1907, Nicholson was incorporated.

A rural area, Nicholson has long been known for its cattle and poultry farms as well having “a past” with the cotton industry. Life in Nicholson has always centered on family, religion and education. Benton Elementary School was built to consolidate the five small schools serving the area in 1936. Churches abound in Nicholson and can been seen from almost any vantage point, with Antioch United Methodist Church being the oldest known church in the Nicholson area, dating back to 1799.

The public libraries in Nicholson have also been prominent features since 1975 when the first public library was opened, a tradition being continued today by the Harold S. Swindle Public Library. (See more on the library in the November/December 2006 Living Jackson print edition or on the Web site.)

Of course, the city’s main attraction, The Daisy Festival, cannot go without mention. Every year, thousands of people flock to Nicholson to be a part of one of the oldest festivals in the state.

Nicholson has made much progress over its 100 years of incorporation, yet remains a refuge for those seeking rural pleasures.

1. We’re unique because we’ve never really had anything given to us;

we have always worked for what we get. – Margaret Ward

2. Farming: cotton, chickens and soybeans.

3. We have a good moral community. – Betty Beauchamp

4. Playgrounds.

5. Nicholson is a great place! I’ve been here my whole life and I plan on being here for the rest of my life. – Lamar Watkins

6. The civic organizations that pull people together for a common cause.

7. Education: Benton Elementary School, East Jackson Elementary, Middle School and (the new) High School.

8. I remember the telephone party lines and how everyone used to eavesdrop. You never had to worry about your business—someone else would do it for you. – Daniel Sailors

9. The oak trees that provide shade and a playground for children.

10. Nicholson Fire Department and the firemen who serve

Nicholson.

11. Back when I was in grammar school, everyone would come from different directions and we would all gather and walk to school in the mornings. – Howard Wilbanks

12. The farm ponds and creeks that provide hours of fun and enchantment for children.

13. The many churches of Nicholson.

Nicholson Firemen from the 80's.

14. Most of my memories are centered on my school years at Benton. – Martha Babb

15. The railroad.

16. During World War II, the people here sacrificed but they didn’t mind. – Margaret Ward

17. Tree houses and big back yards.

18. The Harold S. Swindle Public Library and Bea Pearre and the librarians before her.

19. The traffic light.

20.The new historic marker located near City Hall.

21. Anyone should be proud to live or have lived in a place like this. – Howard Wilbanks

22. Big plans for the city’s future.

23. Barns that keep the hay dry so that the cows and horses can survive.

24. Fishing and hunting in and on Nicholson’s beautiful terrain.

Nicholson Second Baptist Church.

25. The Oconee River and its tributaries.

26. Nicholson is not far from the big city conveniences of Atlanta.

27. The pews at my church were built right here in Nicholson by my husband and Mr. Wilbanks. – Beulah Smith

28. Mild weather and a climate that allow for plant growth year-round.

29. The post office that sometimes becomes a social venue.

30. Everyone helps one another; if you get behind on your farming, someone will help. – Howard Wilbanks

31. The rural lifestyle Nicholsonians still get to experience everyday.

32. Electricity came in 1939. – Eutelle Morgan

33. The vegetable gardens that provide us with hearty nutrients.

34. Staghorn Plantation Estates that serves as a home for many.

35. The cemeteries of Nicholson.

36. I remember playing in the creek. There was a milk house that the creek ran through to keep the milk cool. – Jane Hilley

37. The many pine trees that fill the forests of Nicholson.

38. The right to worship. – Daniel Sailors

39. The pulpwood industry.

40. My family has always been here and is even buried here. – Sandra Sailors

41. Flower gardens that fill Nicholson with vibrant joy.

42. We have a really close-knit community. – Betty Beauchamp

43. Highway 441 that put Nicholson on the map.

44. The family and friends that make Nicholson such a warm place.

45. We come together not only in bad times but in the good times also. – Jane Hilley

46. Dirt roads and gravel driveways.

47. Cotton.

48. School buses and bus drivers.

Dee Lyons and J.D. Heaton

49. I remember people coming to the store (Beauchamp’s) for their birthdays—as people came in they would join the party whether they knew them or not. – Betty Beauchamp

50. Teachers.

51. Dee Lyons one day said, “Why don’t we just start us a festival called the ‘Daisy Festival.’” And the Daisy Festival was born. – Betty Beauchamp

52. Vacation Bible Schools during the summer, where every youngster can be found.

53. Lunchroom workers.

54. Poultry.

55. The Nicholson Water Authority was started in 1965 and the water was turned on in 1966. – Daniel Sailors

56. The winding country roads that wind through family farm after family farm.

57. Custodians.

58. Everyone seems like family; other than last names, you can’t tell who’s related. – Howard Wilbanks

59. T.T. Benton and the efforts he put forth to help make education key in Nicholson.

60. If you need a friend, you’ll find them here. – Mary Lou Barnett

61. Administrators.

62. We’ve had a lot of wonderful athletes come from this community.

– Margaret Ward

63. City councilmen and women.

64. Mr. Wilbanks used to have the best crabapple tree; everyone in Nicholson would go and enjoy those crabapples. – Betty Beauchamp

65. The future East Jackson Recreation Complex.

66. The mayors, past and present, of Nicholson.

67. I used to have to walk to school because I lived over two miles from Benton. – Daniel Sailors

68. The first and only stop light to be placed in Nicholson.

69. The bus started coming by my house the year after I graduated.

– Eutelle Morgan

70. City workers.

71. Here there are loyal, true friends. I left and came back and it was like I had never left. – Sandra Sailors

72. The children who bring happiness to Nicholson’s families and are a hopeful promise of the city’s future.

73. Community events.

74. Many people have really distinguished themselves here. – Margaret Ward

75. The numerous homes scattered throughout Nicholson’s pastures and forests.

76. Nicholson is convenient to I-85.

77. The newly converted Nicholson Civic Center.

78. The community supports people with problems. – Jane Hilley

79. The rolling hills and high ridges.

80. Wildflowers.

81. Nicholson is the place where I’ve been shown love and acceptance, and my children have also been afforded that. – Margaret Ward

82. The tomato vines that grow in almost everyone’s summer garden.

83. We’re a community that believes every good rainstorm starts with a raindrop—give us the raindrop and we’ll do the rest.

– Betty Beauchamp

84. The support of the city’s churches.

85. Because of the people who were here before us, we are what we are today. – Margaret Ward

86. J. Nicholson, former president of the Northeastern Railroad, for whom Nicholson is named because he agreed to put a fuel stop in Nicholson.

87. The military personnel that came from Nicholson.

88. Farm animals: horses, pigs, cows and more.

89. The local businesses that provide for a growing economy.

90. Nicholson is great because the cows, chickens, birds and deer are just as plentiful as the people. – Joshua T. Barnett

91. The rural mail carriers who ensure packages and letters are delivered on time.

92. I like Nicholson because the people are so friendly.

– Mary Lou Barnett

93. The EMTs who help save lives.

94. The music that brings community members together.

95. Nicholson is convenient to Athens and UGA without all the hustle and bustle.

96. The security of knowing your children are safe playing in the front yard.

97. From my first day in Nicholson, I have felt right at home with all the loving, kind people. I wouldn’t want to be any where else. – Loretta Altman

98. The Spanish education courses held at the Harold S. Swindle Public Library.

99. You couldn’t beat it for a living place. – Betty Beauchamp

100. Visit Nicholson—create your own memories in this unique town. You’re sure to discover at least one reason to celebrate Nicholson!