Hawkinsville, Georgia

Hawkinsville is a city in Middle Georgia and the county seat of Pulaski County, Georgia, United States. As of 2020, it has a population of 3,980.
The city is known as the "Harness Horse Capital of Georgia" and holds an annual Harness Horse Festival to celebrate its connections to the sport. Hawkinsville is also known as the "Highway Hub," with seven major highways running through the city.

History

Hawkinsville was founded in 1830, and in 1836, it replaced Hartford as the county seat of Pulaski County. The city was named after Colonel Benjamin Hawkins, a Senator and Delegate to the Continental Congress from North Carolina. After the war ended, he was appointed Indian agent in charge of affairs south of the Ohio River by George Washington.
Well before the city's formal establishment, Hawkinsville was a key center for regional trade and travel. It was situated along the Slosheye Trail, a trading route dating back to around 1750 that connected the area to Drayton, Georgia. This trail was used by Native Americans and early European traders throughout the area. The traffic on the trail continued to grow, and it was eventually turned into a road. Its location is marked on what is now Commerce Street in Downtown Hawkinsville.
In 1818 General Andrew Jackson is believed to have passed through the city while travelling to Florida during the First Seminole War. The trail is designated by the Andrew Jackson Trail historical marker in the city.
Hawkinsville is known as the "Harness Horse Capital of Georgia." Since 1894, the city has hosted harness racing events. Beginning in the 1920s, harness horses have travelled from colder climates to train Hawkinsville due to its Hawkinsville's mild winters. The city holds an annual Harness Festival on the first Saturday in April to celebrate the legacy of harness racing in Hawkinsville.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

Climate

Hawkinsville has a humid subtropical climate, with mild winters and hot, humid summers.

Demographics

Race	Num.	Perc.
White	1,925	48.37%
Black or African American	1,822	45.78%
Native American	6	0.15%
Asian	47	1.18%
Pacific Islander	1	0.03%
Other/Mixed	90	2.26%
Hispanic or Latino	89	2.24%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,980 people and 1,449 households in the city.

Economy

The Georgia Department of Corrections operates the Pulaski State Prison in Hawkinsville.
The United States Postal Service operates the Hawkinsville Post Office.

Arts and culture

National Register of Historic Places

Hawkinsville Opera House, constructed in 1907, has served as an entertainment venue, religious gathering place, and government center.
Hawkinsville Public School, constructed between 1936 and 1969.
Merritt-Ragan House, a Queen-Anne style home built in 1840.
Pulaski County Courthouse, constructed in 1874.
Taylor Hall, moved to Hawkinsville in 1836.
St. Thomas [African Methodist Episcopal Church], constructed between 1908 and 1912.
R.J. Taylor Memorial Hospital, which operated from 1938 to 1976.
Hawkinsville Commercial and Industrial Historic District.

Education

Pulaski County School District

The Pulaski County School District holds grades pre-school to grade twelve. It consists of one elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. The district has 95.70 full-time teachers and 1,341 students.

Pulaski County Elementary School
Pulaski County Middle School
Hawkinsville High School

Central Georgia Technical College

operates the Sam Way, Sr. Hawkinsville Workforce Development Center. The Center offers an array of educational opportunities, including adult education, dual enrollment courses, and continuing education.

Infrastructure

Highways include:

Notable people

Exxon Valdez Captain Joseph Hazelwood was born in Hawkinsville.

Charles Johnson, former defensive end for the Carolina Panthers, was born in Hawkinsville.
Jeezy was born in Columbia, South Carolina but was raised in Hawkinsville.
Eva C. Mitchell, professor of education at Hampton University from 1930 to 1960, born in Hawkinsville.
Robert Henry Scarborough Jr. was born and raised in Hawkinsville.
Tom Forkner, co-founder of Waffle House, was born in Hawkinsville.
Inez Tannenbaum, former South Carolina Superintendent of Education and chairperson of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission was born in Hawkinsville.