Historical Markers in
Bibb County, Georgia

143 Buford Place 152 Buford Place 408 Broadway Alfred Holt Colquitt Andersen's Jewelers Andruw Jones Bach-Duncan-Daniel Ballard-Hudson Senior High School Ballard-Hudson Senior High School Battles of Dunlap Farm Bibb County Birthplace of Sidney Lanier Buffalo Evans' Home Camp Oglethorpe Camp Wheeler Capricorn Park Capricorn Studio Central City College / Georgia Baptist College Chipper Jones Christ Church City Auditorium City Hall & Old Capitol Civil War Era Maconites of African Ancestry Colonial Trading Path Confederate Memorial Day in Macon Confederate States Central Laboratory Cowles-Bond House Davis-Guttenberger-Rankin House De Soto in Georgia Dick Wooley's Home Dickey Betts' Apt B Douglass Theatre Duane Allman's Home Elizabeth Reed Music Hall Emerson Building Emmett Miller Home Fencing from Findlay Foundry First Public Camellia Show Fort Hawkins Fort Hawkins Freemasonry in Macon Gen. James Edward Oglethorpe General Edward Dorr Tracy, Jr. Grant's Lounge Green-Poe House Gresham-Adams House H&H Restaurant Hardeman Building Harris-Hall-Bennett House Hatcher-Groover-Schwartz House Hippie Crash Pad Historic Home of Dr. James Mercer Green Historic Macon Historic Macon Hustlers, Inc. In Memory of J. Wilson Parker In Memory of Max Meyerhardt Jefferson Davis Jefferson Davis at the Lanier House John Basil Lamar John Odom Judge Asa Holt House Kevin Brown Library Ballroom / College Discotheque M. W. Grand Lodge of Georgia Macon City Hall Macon Defensive Fortifications Macon History Medal of Honor Mercer University Mike Mills and Bill Berry Monroe Street Apartments Mulberry Street Methodist Church Muscadine Studios Nashville South Oak Ridge Cemetery Oak Ridge Cemetery Oak Ridge Cemetery P.L. Hay House Paragon Booking Agency Percy Welch's Hotel Pete Rose Philip Walden, Jr., Childhood Home Post 3 Macon Professional Building R. Kirby Godsey Administration Building Randolph-Whittle House Ron Fairly Rondell White Rookery Rosa Louise Parks Rose Hill Cemetery Sidney Lanier Sidney Lanier's Law Office Site: Wesleyan College Small House St. Joseph's Catholic Church St. Peter Claver Catholic Church and School Temple Beth Israel The Battle of Dunlap Hill-Stoneman's Raid The Bell House / Robert McDuffie Center for Strings The Big House The Candler Building The Cottage The Dunlap House The Dunlap House The First Baptist Church of Christ The First Presbyterian Church The Lanier House The March to the Sea The Stoneman Raid Tic Toc Tony Perez Unknown, But Not Forgotten Villa Albicini Vince Coleman Vineville United Methodist Church Walter T. Johnson House Walton Building War of 1812 Bicentennial Celebration Wesleyan College Wesleyan College Historic District Wet Willie House William Arthur Fickling, Sr. William Augustus Bootle William Bartram Trail William Bartram Trail Wilson's Raid To Macon
In 1958, Georgia became the first state to lower the voting age from 21 to 18, although this was later overturned by the Supreme Court.
Bibb County, Georgia has a rich and diverse history that spans back to its establishment in the early 19th century. The county was created in 1822 and named in honor of William Wyatt Bibb, the first elected Governor of Alabama and a United States Senator from Georgia. Settlers from various backgrounds, including Native Americans and European colonists, were drawn to the fertile lands and natural resources of the area.

During the 19th century, Bibb County experienced substantial growth as cotton became a dominant industry. Plantations sprung up across the county, supported by a large number of enslaved African Americans who were forced into labor. The county became an important center for cotton production and trade, attracting wealthy plantation owners and boosting the region's economy.

The Civil War brought significant challenges to Bibb County, as it did to many southern counties. The area was occupied by Union troops for a time, and many citizens faced the destruction and financial ruin caused by the conflict. Despite these difficulties, the county gradually recovered and continued to develop its agricultural and industrial sectors in the post-war years.

Throughout the 20th century, Bibb County saw further diversification of its economy. The development of the rail system, along with advancements in technology, helped to establish the county as a transportation and manufacturing hub. Macon, the county seat and largest city, became known as the "Heart of Georgia" due to its central location and its crucial role in the state's economic growth.

Today, Bibb County boasts a flourishing economy with a mix of industries such as healthcare, education, manufacturing, and logistics. It is also home to several renowned educational institutions, including Mercer University. The county continues to preserve its historical landmarks, such as the Hay House and the Ocmulgee National Monument, and celebrates its diverse cultural heritage through various annual events and festivals.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Bibb County, Georgia.

  • 1822 - Bibb County is established on December 9.
  • 1823 - Macon is chosen as the county seat.
  • 1836 - Wesleyan College, the first college in the world chartered to grant degrees to women, is founded in Macon.
  • 1864 - Macon is captured and occupied by Union forces during the Civil War.
  • 1895 - The Ocmulgee National Monument is established near Macon.
  • 1942 - Robins Air Force Base is established in Warner Robins.
  • 1955 - The Tubman Museum, dedicated to African American art, history, and culture, opens in Macon.
  • 1970 - Macon-Bibb County is consolidated, combining the city of Macon with Bibb County.
  • 1996 - The Georgia Music Hall of Fame opens in Macon.
  • 2014 - Macon-Bibb County becomes a consolidated city-county government.