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Ben Hill County, Georgia

13 topographic sheets and 7 fire insurance atlases across 1 place.

Research this county

From the record

7 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Georgia within the United States
Ben Hill County within Georgia
Explore by year 1902 1927

What the record shows

  • 1 place in this county was surveyed for fire insurance: Fitzgerald, between 1898 and 1944.
  • 7 fire insurance atlases survive for the county. Topographic coverage is national; fire insurance survey reached only incorporated places with something worth insuring.
  • 55 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 7 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 5 buildings and 2 districts.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 7 populated places in this county; 7 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Photographs

39 photographs, 1977

Taken for the Office of War Information and the Farm Security Administration, who photographed the country between 1935 and 1944. Works of United States government photographers, with no known restriction on use. Each opens its catalogue record.

Fishing on the Alapaha River, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Fishing on the Alapaha River, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Stanley, David, 1942-, 1977. Library of Congress
Ben Hill County Singing Convention, First Baptist Church, Fitzgerald, Georgia
Ben Hill County Singing Convention, First Baptist Church, Fitzgerald, Georgia
Stanley, David, 1942- (Collector), 1977. Library of Congress
People and scenes, Fitzgerald, Georgia, including David Paulk reading riddles, dolls for sale at Dorminy Memorial Hospital, Ben Hill County Courthouse, and C.M. Copeland's woodcarving shop
People and scenes, Fitzgerald, Georgia, including David Paulk reading riddles, dolls for sale at Dorminy Memorial Hospital, Ben Hill County Courthouse, and C.M. Copeland's woodcarving shop
Stanley, David, 1942- (Collector), 1977. Library of Congress
Walter Edwards makes bamboo whistle, Ocilla, Georgia; J.C. Cooper's piano shop, Fitzgerald, Georgia; Salem Baptist Church cemetery, Tifton, Georgia
Walter Edwards makes bamboo whistle, Ocilla, Georgia; J.C. Cooper's piano shop, Fitzgerald, Georgia; Salem Baptist Church cemetery, Tifton, Georgia
Stanley, David, 1942- (Collector), 1977. Library of Congress
South-Central Georgia Folklife Project Collection
South-Central Georgia Folklife Project Collection
Photographer not recorded, 1977. Library of Congress
Ben Hill County Singing Convention, First Baptist Church, Fitzgerald, Georgia
Ben Hill County Singing Convention, First Baptist Church, Fitzgerald, Georgia
Stanley, David, 1942- (Collector), 1977. Library of Congress
Fishing on the Alapaha River, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Fishing on the Alapaha River, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Stanley, David, 1942-, 1977. Library of Congress
Dorminy-Cowan farm, Union Methodist Church, and a dogtrot house and other dwellings, Ben Hill County, Georgia; Gaskins farms, Berrien County, Georgia
Dorminy-Cowan farm, Union Methodist Church, and a dogtrot house and other dwellings, Ben Hill County, Georgia; Gaskins farms, Berrien County, Georgia
Marshall, Howard W. (Collector), 1977. Library of Congress
Shiny Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Ben Hill County, Georgia; Dixon Cemetery, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Shiny Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Ben Hill County, Georgia; Dixon Cemetery, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Marshall, Howard W, 1977. Library of Congress
Vernacular houses and farm buildings at three sites in Ben Hill County, Georgia
Vernacular houses and farm buildings at three sites in Ben Hill County, Georgia
Marshall, Howard W, 1977. Library of Congress
C.M. Copeland's woodworking shop, Fitzgerald, Georgia; Mt. Paran Primitive Baptist Church, Sunday service, buildings and grounds, Alapaha, Georgia; Fishing on the Alapaha River, Ben Hill County, Georgia
C.M. Copeland's woodworking shop, Fitzgerald, Georgia; Mt. Paran Primitive Baptist Church, Sunday service, buildings and grounds, Alapaha, Georgia; Fishing on the Alapaha River, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Stanley, David, 1942-, 1977. Library of Congress
C.M. Copeland's woodcarvings and collected folk art, Fitzgerald, Georgia
C.M. Copeland's woodcarvings and collected folk art, Fitzgerald, Georgia
Photographer not recorded, 1977. Library of Congress
Theotis Taylor, gospel singer in home recording studio, Fitzgerald, Georgia
Theotis Taylor, gospel singer in home recording studio, Fitzgerald, Georgia
Robinson, Beverly J. (Collector), 1977. Library of Congress
C.M. Copeland's woodworking shop, Fitzgerald, Georgia, woodcarvings and other objects
C.M. Copeland's woodworking shop, Fitzgerald, Georgia, woodcarvings and other objects
Stanley, David, 1942-, 1977. Library of Congress
Shiny Grove Missionary Baptist Church and nearby cemetery, Ben Hill County, Georgia; Rural scenes, Tift County, Georgia; WALB-TV crew filming the Allen Shellhorse farm, Tift County, Georgia, and hymn singing at Reverend Dennard's house, Tifton, Georgia
Shiny Grove Missionary Baptist Church and nearby cemetery, Ben Hill County, Georgia; Rural scenes, Tift County, Georgia; WALB-TV crew filming the Allen Shellhorse farm, Tift County, Georgia, and hymn singing at Reverend Dennard's house, Tifton, Georgia
Marshall, Howard W. (Collector), 1977. Library of Congress
Fishing trip on the Alapaha River, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Fishing trip on the Alapaha River, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Stanley, David, 1942- (Collector), 1977. Library of Congress
Ben Hill County Singing Convention, First Baptist Church, Fitzgerald, Georgia
Ben Hill County Singing Convention, First Baptist Church, Fitzgerald, Georgia
Fleischhauer, Carl (Collector), 1977. Library of Congress
Vernacular architecture in Colquitt, Tift, Cook, and Irwin Counties, Georgia, including F&AM Lodge 669 and Garrett and Joiner farms; Dorminy-Cowan farm, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Vernacular architecture in Colquitt, Tift, Cook, and Irwin Counties, Georgia, including F&AM Lodge 669 and Garrett and Joiner farms; Dorminy-Cowan farm, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Marshall, Howard W. (Collector), 1977. Library of Congress
St.Paul Baptist Church, Tift County, Georgia, buildings; Dixon Cemetery, Ben Hill County, Georgia
St.Paul Baptist Church, Tift County, Georgia, buildings; Dixon Cemetery, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Marshall, Howard W, 1977. Library of Congress
Dorminy-Cowan farm, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Dorminy-Cowan farm, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Stanley, David, 1942-, 1977. Library of Congress
Johnny Stokes and grunt worm fish bait, Fitzgerald, Georgia; "Uncle" Guy Fuller's cabin and furnishings, Wilcox County, Georgia
Johnny Stokes and grunt worm fish bait, Fitzgerald, Georgia; "Uncle" Guy Fuller's cabin and furnishings, Wilcox County, Georgia
Stanley, David, 1942-, 1977. Library of Congress
Garrison's Grocery, Fitzgerald, Georgia; M.P. Liles boat, Fitzgerald, Georgia; Scenes near Fitzgerald, Georgia; "Uncle" Guy Fuller, Wilcox County, Georgia
Garrison's Grocery, Fitzgerald, Georgia; M.P. Liles boat, Fitzgerald, Georgia; Scenes near Fitzgerald, Georgia; "Uncle" Guy Fuller, Wilcox County, Georgia
Stanley, David, 1942- (Collector), 1977. Library of Congress
David Paulk at home, Fitzgerald, Georgia, reading riddles; Fabric dolls for sale at Dorminy Memorial Hospital, Fitzgerald, Georgia
David Paulk at home, Fitzgerald, Georgia, reading riddles; Fabric dolls for sale at Dorminy Memorial Hospital, Fitzgerald, Georgia
Stanley, David, 1942-, 1977. Library of Congress
South Georgia cemeteries, Wilcox County, Ben Hill County, and Coffee County, Georgia
South Georgia cemeteries, Wilcox County, Ben Hill County, and Coffee County, Georgia
Coelho, Dennis (Collector), 1977. Library of Congress
Dorminy-Cowan farm, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Dorminy-Cowan farm, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Marshall, Howard W, 1977. Library of Congress
A. J. McDonald Homeplace, 103 West Roanoke Drive, Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, GA
A. J. McDonald Homeplace, 103 West Roanoke Drive, Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, GA
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
"Uncle" Guy Fuller's cabin and furnishings, Wilcox County, Georgia; Harvesting tobacco, Tift County, Georgia; M.P. Liles fishing boat, Fitzgerald, Georgia
"Uncle" Guy Fuller's cabin and furnishings, Wilcox County, Georgia; Harvesting tobacco, Tift County, Georgia; M.P. Liles fishing boat, Fitzgerald, Georgia
Stanley, David, 1942-, 1977. Library of Congress
People and scenes, Fitzgerald, Georgia, Ben Hill County Courthouse, C.M. Copeland's woodworking shop, Lee Jones's paintings
People and scenes, Fitzgerald, Georgia, Ben Hill County Courthouse, C.M. Copeland's woodworking shop, Lee Jones's paintings
Stanley, David, 1942-, 1977. Library of Congress
M.P. Liles fishing boat, Fitzgerald, Georgia; Rural scenes, Ben Hill County, Georgia, including gourd martin houses at the Walter Troup farm
M.P. Liles fishing boat, Fitzgerald, Georgia; Rural scenes, Ben Hill County, Georgia, including gourd martin houses at the Walter Troup farm
Stanley, David, 1942-, 1977. Library of Congress
House Creek, Ben Hill County, Georgia, fishing and swimming at the boils (springs)
House Creek, Ben Hill County, Georgia, fishing and swimming at the boils (springs)
Stanley, David, 1942-, 1977. Library of Congress
Dorminy-Cowan farm buildings, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Dorminy-Cowan farm buildings, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Marshall, Howard W. (Collector), 1977. Library of Congress
Mary Newsome, Colony (Nursing) Home, Fitzgerald, Georgia, singer; Etta Anderson, Ocilla, Georgia, gathering wild plants
Mary Newsome, Colony (Nursing) Home, Fitzgerald, Georgia, singer; Etta Anderson, Ocilla, Georgia, gathering wild plants
Robinson, Beverly J. (Collector), 1977. Library of Congress
Ben Hill County Singing Convention, First Baptist Church, Fitzgerald, Georgia
Ben Hill County Singing Convention, First Baptist Church, Fitzgerald, Georgia
Fleischhauer, Carl (Collector), 1977. Library of Congress
Johnny and Jan Stokes with outdoor cooker and barbecue pit, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Johnny and Jan Stokes with outdoor cooker and barbecue pit, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Stanley, David, 1942-, 1977. Library of Congress
Cotton warehouse, Ocilla, Georgia; Jake Clements, Irwin County Clerk, Ocilla, Georgia; Vernacular houses, Irwin County, Georgia; Timber cart and tenant house, Dorminy-Cowan farm, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Cotton warehouse, Ocilla, Georgia; Jake Clements, Irwin County Clerk, Ocilla, Georgia; Vernacular houses, Irwin County, Georgia; Timber cart and tenant house, Dorminy-Cowan farm, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Stanley, David, 1942- (Collector), 1977. Library of Congress
"Aunt" Phyllis Carter, Brookfield, Georgia, quiltmaker and community historian; Mary Newsome, Colony (Nursing) Home, Fitzgerald, Georgia, singer
"Aunt" Phyllis Carter, Brookfield, Georgia, quiltmaker and community historian; Mary Newsome, Colony (Nursing) Home, Fitzgerald, Georgia, singer
Robinson, Beverly J, 1977. Library of Congress
"Uncle" Guy Fuller's cabin, Wilcox County, Georgia; Garrison's Grocery, Fitzgerald, Georgia
"Uncle" Guy Fuller's cabin, Wilcox County, Georgia; Garrison's Grocery, Fitzgerald, Georgia
Stanley, David, 1942- (Collector), 1977. Library of Congress
South Georgia cemeteries, Ben Hill County, Georgia
South Georgia cemeteries, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Coelho, Dennis (Collector), 1977. Library of Congress
"Uncle" Guy Fuller at home, Wilcox County, Georgia; Johnny and Jan Stokes with outdoor cooker and barbecue pit, Ben Hill County, Georgia
"Uncle" Guy Fuller at home, Wilcox County, Georgia; Johnny and Jan Stokes with outdoor cooker and barbecue pit, Ben Hill County, Georgia
Stanley, David, 1942- (Collector), 1977. Library of Congress

Places on the National Register

7

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Ben Hill County Courthousebuilding198080000973
Ben Hill County Jailbuilding198282002383
Dorminy-Massee Housebuilding200000000529
Fitzgerald Commercial Historic Districtdistrict199292000383
Holtzendorf Apartmentsbuilding198887001905
South Main-South Lee Streets Historic Districtdistrict198989000294
Miles V. Wilsey Housebuilding200101000166

Digitised newspapers

40 issues

Sampled issues, machine-read from the Library of Congress scan and published page by page, so every headline and column is searchable text.

The Leader-Enterprise

Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County Georgia., 1912 to 1915. Machine-read from the Library of Congress scan.

The Fitzgerald Leader

Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Georgia.; Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Georgia, 19?? to 1912. Machine-read from the Library of Congress scan.

The Leader Enterprise and Fitzgerald Press

Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Georgia, 1915. Machine-read from the Library of Congress scan.

The Leader Enterprise and Press

Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Georgia, 1915 to 1921. Machine-read from the Library of Congress scan.

Fitzgerald Enterprise

Fitzgerald, Ga.; Fitzgerald, Georgia, 1895 to 1912. Machine-read from the Library of Congress scan.

The Fitzgerald Leader Enterprise and Press

Fitzgerald, Georgia, 1921 to 1964. Machine-read from the Library of Congress scan.

The Fitzgerald Leader

Fitzgerald, Georgia, 1921. Machine-read from the Library of Congress scan.

Bird's-eye views and land ownership maps

1

Drawn when these were printed as single large sheets: the town seen from the air, and the county divided into its farms with every owner named. Each opens the original at the Library of Congress.

Bird's-eye view, 1908 - Bird's eye view of Fitzgerald, Georgia 1908
Bird's-eye view (1908) - Bird's eye view of Fitzgerald, Georgia 1908. Library of Congress.

The county from the air

20 shown

Flown by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1937 and 1989, the Aerial Photo Single Frames collection is the definitive mid-century view of the land: fields, roads and rivers as the camera saw them. The Survey holds 424 frames inside the rectangle that bounds this county; the 20 frames below were taken over the county itself, chosen across the decades of flights (at most four a year from that rectangle), so one flight cannot crowd out the rest. The full set is free to browse and download at EarthExplorer under the dataset Aerial Photo Single Frames.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1950-11-28, scale 1:59000
1950-11-28, scale 1:59000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1950-11-28, scale 1:59000
1950-11-28, scale 1:59000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1950-11-28, scale 1:59000
1950-11-28, scale 1:59000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1950-11-28, scale 1:59000
1950-11-28, scale 1:59000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1951-04-17, scale 1:59000
1951-04-17, scale 1:59000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1951-04-17, scale 1:59000
1951-04-17, scale 1:59000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1951-05-08, scale 1:60000
1951-05-08, scale 1:60000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1951-05-08, scale 1:59000
1951-05-08, scale 1:59000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1961-05-16, scale 1:2758
1961-05-16, scale 1:2758. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1961-05-16, scale 1:2758
1961-05-16, scale 1:2758. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1961-05-16, scale 1:2758
1961-05-16, scale 1:2758. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1961-05-16, scale 1:2758
1961-05-16, scale 1:2758. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-02-11, scale 1:19000
1971-02-11, scale 1:19000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-02-11, scale 1:19000
1971-02-11, scale 1:19000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-02-11, scale 1:19000
1971-02-11, scale 1:19000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-02-11, scale 1:19000
1971-02-11, scale 1:19000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-03-11, scale 1:19000
1972-03-11, scale 1:19000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-03-11, scale 1:19000
1972-03-11, scale 1:19000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-03-11, scale 1:19000
1972-03-11, scale 1:19000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-03-11, scale 1:19000
1972-03-11, scale 1:19000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

Weather records

3 stations

The thermometers that kept this county's weather, as the federal records hold them. The extremes below are measured values from those records, not estimates.

The 1950 census, district by district

20 districts

Who lived here in 1950, one enumeration district at a time, as the Census Bureau described each district. Each row opens its official National Archives result, with Population Schedules and ED Maps available there.

  • 9-1BN/A
  • 9-1AN/A
  • 9-2Militia District 433, Bowens Mill
  • 9-3Militia District 1171, Williamsons Mill
  • 9-4Militia District 1537, Fitzgerald city - That part of Ward 1 Bounded by City limits; Ward line, Main; Suwanee, Merrimac Dr., Wheeler Ave.; City limits
  • 9-5Fitzgerald city - That part of Ward 1 Bounded by Wheeler Ave., Merrimac Dr., Suwanee; Main; Central Ave., Ward line; City limits
  • 9-6Fitzgerald city - That part of Ward 2 Bounded by City limits; City limits; Ward line, Marion Ave., Oconee, Monitor Dr., Suwanee; Main, Ward line
  • 9-7Fitzgerald city - That part of Ward 2 Bounded by Suwanee; Monitor Dr., Oconee, Marion Ave.; Ward line, Central Ave.; Main
  • 9-8Fitzgerald city - That part of Ward 3 Bounded by Central Ave., Ward line; City limits; Cemetery Rd., Monitor Dr., Palm; Logan
  • 9-9Fitzgerald city - That part of Ward 3 Bounded by Central Ave.; Logan; Palm; Main
  • 9-10Fitzgerald city - That part of Ward 3 Bounded by Palm; Logan, Roanoke Dr., Seaboard Airline Hwy.; City limits; Ward line, Main
  • 9-11Fitzgerald city - That part of Ward 3 Bounded by Palm Monitor Dr., Cemetery Rd., City limits; City limits; Seaboard Air Line Railroad, Roanoke Dr., Logan
  • 9-12Fitzgerald city - That part of Ward 4 Bounded by Central Ave.; Main, Ward line; City limits; Lee, Roanoke Dr. Jackson
  • 9-13Fitzgerald city - That part of Ward 4 Bounded by Ward line, Central Ave.; Jackson; Palm, Merrimac Dr., Lincoln Ave.; City limits
  • 9-14Fitzgerald city - That part of Ward 4 Bounded by Lincoln Ave., Merrimac Dr., Palm; Jackson, Roanoke Dr., Lee; City limits; City limits
  • 9-15Militia District 1537, Fitzgerald - That part north of Atlanta, Birmingham and Coast Railroad, and east of State Hwy. 90, outside Fitzgerald city
  • 9-16Militia District 1537, Fitzgerald - That part west of State Hwy. 90 and northeast Atlanta, Birmingham and Coast Railroad, outside Fitzgerald city
  • 9-17Militia District 1537, Fitzgerald - That part southwest of Atlanta, Birmingham and Coast Railroad, outside Fitzgerald city
  • 9-18Militia District 1658, Vaughn
  • 9-19Militia District 1659, Ashton

Wildfire, 1992 to 2020

1,385 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 1,385 of them, burning about 3,688 acres. 72 started naturally and 126 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning854
Equipment and vehicle use133
Arson/incendiarism126
Missing data/not specified/undetermined100
Natural72
Misuse of fire by a minor44
Railroad operations and maintenance22
Smoking19
Recreation and ceremony15

The five largest, by the area the report gives. Two of them were set deliberately.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
11 March 2002Arson/incendiarism144 acresGeorgia Forestry CommissionFY2002-BEN HILL-050
8 February 2006Debris and open burning56 acresGeorgia Forestry Commissionnot named
25 February 2001Arson/incendiarism54 acresGeorgia Forestry CommissionFY2001-BEN HILL-037
12 April 2017Debris and open burning49 acresGeorgia Forestry CommissionFY2017-BEN HILL-053
25 August 1997Debris and open burning49 acresGeorgia Forestry Commissionnot named
24 February 2018Debris and open burning48 acresGeorgia Forestry CommissionFY2018BEN HILL016
21 February 2018Debris and open burning48 acresGeorgia Forestry CommissionFY2018BEN HILL014
22 October 1995Debris and open burning46 acresGeorgia Forestry Commissionnot named

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1958 to 2026

60 of 151 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 151 reports for this county, causing no deaths, 9 injuries and about $7,779,300 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Thunderstorm Wind102
Hail22
Tornado14
Flash Flood10
Flood2
Lightning1

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
October 1993Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald to4 hurt, $5,000,000Thunderstorm winds damaged several mobile homes and pre-fab homes. Several small sheds and outbuildings were destroyed or severely damaged. Four injuries occurred when an unanchored mobile home was overturned by thunderstorm winds. Several large trees were uprooted and power lines downed by thunderstorm winds. Over 8600 people in Fitzgerald were left without power for about eight hours. Nearly 25 percent of the pecan crop was destroyed in Ben Hill county at a cost of 100,000 dollars.
June 1963Tornado (F2)not stated2 hurt, $250,000no account filed
March 2026Thunderstorm WindAshton2 hurtA shed overturned on Wren Road in Ben Hill county with 2 injuries reported.
August 2015LightningWestwood1 hurt, $5,000Lightning struck a tree limb that then fell through a roof and struck a woman in the face. Damage was estimated.
December 2006Tornado (F1)Fitzgerald$300,000The tornado touched down four miles east of Fitzgerald just south of Georgia Highway 206 and U.S. Highway 319. There were several areas along its northeasterly track where trees had been twisted off at approximately 15 feet above ground level. Debris from the initial touchdown was discovered three miles due north. The tornado touched down four times as evidenced by the sporadic damage. Two homes were destroyed, two homes were heavily damaged, and three irrigation pivots were destroyed. The tornado finally lifted at an old recreation area known as Red Bluff where roof damage was reported.
March 2000Flash FloodCountywide$250,000The Ben Hill County EMA reported numerous county and state roads closed due to high water from five to six inches of rain which had fallen since 4 am EST. Numerous streets in Fitzgerald were closed by high water. Several flooded downtown businesses reported water up to three feet deep. One family was rescued from their stranded pickup truck on Stuart Street in Fitzgerald. The Rainbow Irrigation warehouse and welding shop along the Ocilla highway were flooded.
February 1983Tornado (F1)not stated$250,000no account filed
May 1983Tornado (F1)not stated$250,000no account filed
April 1961Tornado (F1)not stated$250,000no account filed
April 2009Tornado (EF1)Fitzgerald Municipal Arpt$200,000A tornado touched down about two miles southwest of Fitzgerald near the municipal airport. It destroyed a barn and blew a batting cage across a field. It also uprooted or snapped numerous trees and blew down signs. The tornado continued on a northeast path into portions of downtown Fitzgerald. The brick facade of a building collapsed. Much of the damage was caused by fallen trees. The tornado was classified an EF1 with winds estimated between 80 and 90 mph.
March 2003Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$150,000Straight-line winds damaged an elementary school and a church. A roof was blown off a house. Reported by a contract observer.
October 2021Flash FloodFitzgerald Cotton Mill$100,000The Walmart parking lot flooded to a depth of 1 to 2 feet in places. Numerous cars were stalled or stranded. Behind the Walmart, some cars parked near an adjacent creek floated in the flood waters.
December 2019Tornado (EF2)Fitzgerald Municipal Arpt$100,000The initial touchdown occurred in an un-reachable area of Irwin County approximately nine miles west of Ocilla. The survey team relied on radar data to estimate the touchdown location. The first area the damage assessment team could access was along Ponderosa Road just north of Wood Rd. where dozens of pine trees were snapped and a farm had several outbuildings damaged. Damage...consisting of snapped trees, destroyed outbuildings and damaged irrigation machinery...then continued along a widening path heading east-northeast toward the Mystic community. Damage was significant in Mystic. Several homes suffered serious roof loss and a couple brick buildings were nearly destroyed. Debris including concrete chunks was thrown hundreds of yards into a nearby field. There were hundreds of snapped and uprooted trees of all kinds in the area. Damage was well into the EF-2 range here with max winds estimated at 125 mph, and the damage path widened to near 400 yards. Continuous damage...mainly downed trees and damaged barns...persisted along a wide path as the tornado continued moving east-northeast. The next area of significant damage was noted in a neighborhood south of Fitzgerald, Georgia at the intersection of Vo Tech and Old Whitley Crossing Roads. More than a dozen homes suffered major roof damage here with several experiencing complete loss. A couple RVs were rolled over and heavily damaged. The tornado continued moving northeast eventually crossing into Ben Hill county along Highway 319. Several more homes suffered roof damage, many barns were destroyed and hundreds of trees were snapped. The last evidence of damage was to a barn and trees along Partridge Road approximately 2.5 miles east of the Ashton community. Damage cost was estimated.
May 2003Thunderstorm WindCountywide$100,000Numerous downed trees and power lines. Several carports and sheds damaged. Several vehicles damaged by fallen trees. Reported by the Ben Hill County EMA.
January 2022Thunderstorm WindWestwood$50,000Power lines were blown down along with some structural damage to outbuildings and a shop in northwestern Ben Hill county in the vicinity of Sweet Pea and Salem Church Road.
May 2021Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$50,000Multiple county roads and state routes were closed due to downed trees and power lines. One mobile home suffered major damage and one house suffered minor damage.
October 2021Flash FloodFitzgerald$50,000One home flooded in the 500 block of South Thomas Road. Water was 2 inches deep inside. Another unoccupied building nearby flooded as well.
December 2006Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$50,000Eight miles east of Fitzgerald on Glenn Merritt Road, several barns lost some tin off their roofs, and there were several trees and power lines down.
February 2004Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$50,000Several trees uprooted in a cemetery on Evergreen Road just east of Fitzgerald. Several sheds and trees were blown over with some houses damaged on Delta, Camp and Brooklyn roads northeast of Fitzgerald. Reported by the Fitzgerald Herald Leader.
November 1992Tornado (F0)not stated$25,000no account filed
December 1982Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
April 1982Tornado (F0)not stated$25,000no account filed
January 1971Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
May 1968Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
June 1967Tornado (F2)not stated$25,000no account filed
October 2021Flash FloodFitzgerald$20,000The underpass on North Longstreet was flooded with a car submerged.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$18,000Multiple trees were blown down with several trees on homes. The monetary damage figure provided is a rough estimate.
May 2016Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$10,000Trees damaged an SUV and a mobile home. Damage was estimated.
June 2016Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$10,000Numerous trees and power lines were blown down near Fitzgerald. Damage was estimated.
December 2005Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$10,000Ben Hill County 911 reported downed trees and power lines as well as a damaged trailer.
December 2002Thunderstorm WindCountywide$10,000Downed trees and power lines reported by the Ben Hill County Sheriff.
April 2011Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$6,000A few trees and power lines were reported down. The monetary damage figure provided is a rough estimate.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindLulaville$5,000There were several downed trees and a few downed power lines in Ben Hill County.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$5,000There were numerous trees and power lines blown down through Ben Hill county.
June 2016Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$5,000Several trees and power lines were blown down.
April 2015Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$5,000Numerous trees and power lines were blown down.
July 2011Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$5,000Several trees were uprooted and a trampoline was blown onto a car. The monetary damage figure provided is a rough estimate.
June 2009Thunderstorm WindQueensland$5,000Numerous trees and power lines were down. Power outages were reported in Queensland and Fitzgerald.
May 2006Thunderstorm WindCountywide$5,000The Ben Hill County Sheriff reported numerous trees and power lines down throughout the county.
June 1998Thunderstorm WindCountywide$5,000Trees and power lines down countywide.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$4,000Several trees and power lines were blown down.
July 2012Thunderstorm WindLulaville$4,000Many trees and power lines were blown down mainly north of Fitzgerald. Monetary damage was estimated.
July 2012Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$4,000Several trees were blown down around the city of Fitzgerald. Monetary damage was estimated.
April 2019Thunderstorm WindBowens Mill$3,000A mobile home was blown off its blocks along Bethlehem Church Road.
January 2013Thunderstorm WindWestwood$3,000Trees and power lines were blown down on 10 Mile Road in Fitzgerald. Monetary damage was estimated.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$3,000Several trees were blown down in Fitzgerald. The monetary damage figure provided is a rough estimate.
May 2003Thunderstorm WindQueensland$3,000Downed trees and power lines reported by Ben Hill County 911.
June 2002Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$3,000Trees and power lines down. Reported by the Ben Hill County Sheriff.
May 1968Tornado (F1)not stated$2,500no account filed
August 2023Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$2,000A pecan tree along with power lines were blown down on West Roanoke Drive.
June 2022Thunderstorm WindQueensland$2,000A few hundred power outages occurred across northern Ben Hill county as gusty winds from a thunderstorm moved through.
May 2019Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$2,000A tree was blown down onto a power line.
June 2018Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$2,000A tree and a power line were blown down at the intersection of Lee Street and Sultana Drive.
May 2016Thunderstorm WindAshton$2,000A couple of trees and power lines were blown down in the northeast part of Ben Hill county.
August 2007Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$2,000Several trees and utility poles were down in the west central portion of the county.
May 1997Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$2,000no account filed
March 2011Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$1,500Trees were blown down in Fitzgerald. The monetary damage figure provided is a rough estimate.
July 2013Thunderstorm WindAshton$1,000A power line was blown down on Highway 319 near mile marker 50.
June 2012Thunderstorm WindFitzgerald$1,000A tree was blown down at the intersection of Altamaha Street and Sherman Street in Fitzgerald. Monetary damage was estimated.
June 2012Thunderstorm WindAshton$1,000A tree was blown down on Broxton Highway. Monetary damage was estimated.

Every populated place in the county

7

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on. The 1 place that was also surveyed for fire insurance comes first, with the number of atlases and photographs held for them.

Recorded here

Fitzgerald, Georgia

8 topographic sheets and 7 fire insurance atlases, 1898 to 1944

Everything this county holds

The complete index, with nothing left out. Each of these is a separate record with its own page: a federal survey report, or the case file that argued a property on to the National Register. Both are public domain and reproduced word for word.

Surveyed structures

1 structure

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.