JEFFERSON – I would be remiss if I didn’t take an opportunity to wish the city of Jefferson a happy birthday.
It’s not every day a city celebrates its bicentennial. In fact, it’s not even today. It was Nov. 24, 2006. Better late than never, right?
Regardless, the city, which is the county seat of Jackson County, is steeped in history. The city is home to a quaint, historic square. The town also features a stunning courthouse. Until a few years ago, the structure was one of the oldest courthouses, if not the oldest, still in use in Georgia.
The Italianate architecture courthouse was built in 1879, and it only cost $11,112 to construct. A cupola was added to the edifice in 1906. Though it’s vacant today, leaders in Jackson County are looking at how the building can be refurbished.
Throughout the year, the city has been hosting events to commemorate its bicentennial. But for my readers, I’ve included some interesting tidbits about the city. I culled the information from the Athens Banner-Herald’s archives and past articles I have written.
The city is often associated with Crawford W. Long, mainly because it was here on March 30, 1842, that the good doctor removed a cyst from the neck of James Venable. It’s remembered in history as the first deliberate use of ether as an anesthetic. A museum located on the town square is dedicated to Long.
Founded on Nov. 24, 1806, the city was built on a former Indian settlement and named in honor of President Thomas Jefferson. But, Jefferson isn’t the city’s original name. That would be Jeffersonville.
Actually, Jefferson isn’t the city’s second name. That would be Jeffersonton. Even before it was known as Jefferson or a variant of the name, the area was known as Thomoccoggan.
It wasn’t until June 30, 1824, that the city’s name was changed to Jefferson. In reality, Jefferson is a pretty common name, but the city itself is unique.
Nationally, there are at least 25 cities, towns, counties or parishes named in honor of Jefferson. There’s also a proposed state of Jefferson that would include portions of southern Oregon and northern California.
