Newton, GA

Newton is a city located in the east-central part of the U.S. state of Georgia. The population was 21,898 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth most populous city in Georgia and the largest municipality in Newton County. It is also the county seat of Newton County.

The city was founded by James Edward Oglethorpe on February 12, 1733 as " Newton's Fort". The original fort was located on a bluff overlooking a bend in the Savannah River near present-day Fort Stewart. In 1751, Oglethorpe moved his headquarters to a new fort he had erected about west of present-day downtown Newton. This second fort became known as "Old Fort Newtyn". In 1758, after being forced out of South Carolina by British forces during the Seven Years' War, Oglethorpe returned to Georgia with 1,000 loyalists and founded a third fort on land donated by General James Edward Abercrombie near what is now known as West Pointe Mall. This fort became known as " Newton's Castle".

In 1802, following the United States' victory in its War of Independence against Great Britain, President Thomas Jefferson directed that all public lands be offered for sale at auction to raise money for national debt payments. A group led by General Andrew Jackson purchased 640 acres (260 hectares) from Oglethorpe for $21,000 and established what would become Jackson's Hermitage plantation there. The plantation remained in Jackson family ownership until 1913 when it was sold to The Coca-Cola Company and renamed Asbury Park Plantation; it remains an active property today owned by Cox Enterprises Incorporated and managed by their subsidiary Southern Heritage Properties LLC

In 1836–37, following completion of the Western & Atlantic Railroad through Newton County (the first railroad line ever built through Georgia), many wealthy landowners began building large country estates along its route including John Wesley Hardin who built his home "Wesley Hall" just outside town; Henry Wirz who built his home "Wirz Hall" adjacent to Hardin's; Joseph Ewing Jr., who built his home "Ewing Hall" adjacent to Wirz Hall; George Walton Jr., who built his home "Walton Manor" adjacent to Ewing Hall; and John Houstoun White Sr., who built his home " Whitehall Plantation" adjacent to Walton Manor). These large country estates soon became popular tourist destinations attracting visitors from all over America and Europe

During this period (1836–1875), Newton also began developing into an important commercial center due to its location on major transportation routes connecting Atlanta with Augusta and Savannah: via stagecoach (the Butterfield Overland Mail route passed through town); via railroads (the Western & Atlantic Railroad passed through town); via riverboats (the Savannah Riverboat Company operated two steamboats which stopped at what is now downtown Newton); and via automobile roads (a toll road connected downtown Newton with Augusta). As a result of these developments:

• By 1860 there were more than 100 businesses operating in downtown Newton including several banks; • By 1870 there were more than 200 businesses operating in downtown Newton including several department stores; • By 1890 there were more than 300 businesses operating in downtown Newton including several large department stores; • And By 1900 there were more than 400 businesses operating in downtown Newton including several large department stores

Today Downtown Newton retains much of its historic character featuring numerous antebellum homes dating from when this area was among America's wealthiest neighborhoods ; many small business continue to operate within its boundaries providing goods and services needed by residents and tourists alike