Perry Area Chamber of Commerce

	Perry Area Chamber of Commerce

Perry Area History

The History of Perry, Georgia

Nestled in the heart of Georgia lies the quaint, but thriving City of Perry. Founded in 1821 through a treaty with Creek Indians, Houston (pronounced "Howston") County extends from the Ocmulgee River on its eastern boundary to the Flint River on its western boundary. Perry, incorporated in 1824, received its name from Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry for his triumph at Lake Erie in the War of 1812 and still serves as the county seat of Houston County.

Orginally called "Wattsville", Perry is known to many as the "Crossroads of Georgia" because of its location of Highways 41 and 341 and I-75. The prime location has encouraged tourism throughout Perry's history, and has been instrumental in making it the area's number one business today. Travelers often make Perry their resting place, stopping for some of the delicious home cooking and hospitality at one of Perry's fines hotels.

Located on Big Indian Creek, settlers flocked to Perry from the beginning to take advantage of the fertile soil and pleasant climate. Planters focused on cultivating cotton, which remained the number one crop for many years, but then peaches, pecans, grains, watermelon and peanuts. To earliest industries in Perry were grist mills, sawmills and cotton gins, laying the foundation for what remains strong business environment.

Continuing to capitalize on its tourism industry, Perry's residents take great pride in their city and its surrondings. In 1948, Perry was the winner of the Championship Home Town Contest. Families painted their houses and decorated lawns with colorful azaleas, camellias and dogwoods, which still dot the streets of Perry today. Business owners also pitched in, sprucing up their downtown shops.

Hometown to U. S. Senator Sam Nunn, Perry now boasts more than 1,700 hotel/motel rooms, shows off a renovated Williamsburg-style four-block downtown district and a new Welcome Center, and is home to the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter.

It's this outpouring of team spirit and sense of community pride that makes Perry a good place to do business and a great place to raise a family. Come to the Crossroads. We'd love to have you.