National Register Listing

Orna Villa

a.k.a. The Alexander Means House

1008 N. Emory St., Oxford, GA
Local significance of the building:
Architecture; Social History

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

architecture social history
The state of Georgia was home to the first American-born saint, Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, who founded the Sacred Heart Orphanage in Savannah in 1900.
Georgia random facts
Newton County, located in the state of Georgia, has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Creek and Cherokee nations. However, with the arrival of European settlers in the 18th century, the indigenous populations were eventually displaced.

The county was officially established on December 24, 1821, and named after John Newton, a prominent Revolutionary War soldier. Newton County began flourishing due to its fertile land and proximity to the booming city of Atlanta, becoming an agricultural and trading hub. Cotton plantations dominated the economy, and enslaved African Americans were brought in to work on the fields.

During the American Civil War, Newton County witnessed significant military activity. It served as a strategic location due to its railroad connections, which were crucial for transporting troops and supplies. The county faced numerous skirmishes and battles, including the Battle of Honey Creek in 1864. As the war came to an end, the economy suffered, and the Reconstruction era brought its own challenges to the county.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Newton County experienced a wave of industrialization. Textile mills and manufacturing operations were established, attracting workers from neighboring counties. The small towns within Newton County began to develop, and transportation infrastructure improved with the construction of roads and rail lines. Today, Newton County continues to grow and evolve, with a diverse economy that includes agriculture, manufacturing, and services sectors.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Newton County, Georgia.

  • 1789 - Newton County is created as one of Georgia's original counties.
  • 1798 - The town of Covington is established as the county seat.
  • 1800 - The first courthouse is built in Covington.
  • 1830s - The construction of the Georgia Railroad brings economic growth to the county.
  • 1864 - Newton County experiences devastation during the Civil War as Union troops burn much of Covington.
  • 1906 - The Newton County Courthouse, which still stands today, is completed.
  • 1950s - The county experiences suburbanization as Atlanta expands eastward.
  • 1994 - The film industry begins to take notice of Covington, leading to the county becoming a popular filming location.
  • 2000 - A significant increase in population and development occurs in Newton County.
  • 2014 - The Town of Oxford is officially incorporated within Newton County.