History

The Town of Toomsboro was named after Robert Augustus Toombs, a state legistator (U.S. Congressman and Senator). He became a Secretary and General in the Confederacy. HIs last service to Georgia citizens was helping create the Constituion of 1877, which was not amended until 1945.

Prior to the 18th Century, most of Wilkinson County and Georgia was home to the Native Americans belonging to a southeastern alliance known as the Creek Confederacy.

Toomsboro was settled around 1851 and founded when the Central of Georgia Railway was extended to this point.

According ot the Directory of Georgia Post Offices, Toomsborough established a post office on January 17, 1851 and operated under this name until the name change to Toomsboro on April 5, 1893. The railroad terminal was built in 1869.

The Georgia General Assembly incorporated Toomsboro as a town in 1904 within Wilkinson County. The community is named for 19th-century Georgia politician Robert Toombs, a prominent politician of the antebellum and war era.

Murray Hall General Store (Circa 1858)

The exact date of construction is unknown. Murray Hall was a saloon and a favorite place of entertainment. Legend has it that Shermans men did not burn it, so as to keep a place of entertainment for his troops. This antebellum structure began life as a whiskey store, but for most of its history was known as the Murray Hall General Store. It’s one of the oldest standing country stores in Georgia, and though it’s been closed for years, it is well-maintained. This store was one of the places in Toomsboro where the movie “Wise Blood” was filmed by director John Huston in 1979, a novel written by Milledgeville native Flannery O’Connor.

Swampland Opera House (1916)

Built in 1916. Originally a dry goods store and bank, this structure has been known for years as the Swampland Opera. In 1975, the late Joe Boone, Jr., started the business as a weekend venue for musicians and each Saturday until 2000, a country, gospel & bluegrass music hoedown was held here. The concept was formed from music with cane grinding and syrup making at Lord’s Lake.

Syrup Pitcher Building

Located downtown Toomsboro, this building was original used as a place for cane grinding and syrup making during festivals in town. Also, it was used by the ladies to roll bandages for Civil War soldiers.

Farmers Cotton Warehouse

Murray Hall House (Circa 1848)

This house was built by Murray Hall, who owned the iconic general store in Toomsboro.

Central of Georgia Depot (1869)

In 1843, the Central of Georgia Railroad completd its line from Macon to Savannah. In 1842, the purchased land for the right of way and depot. High-speed passenger rail service came to Toomsboro in 1893, when the Central of Georgia Railroad introduced a new locomotive, “Nancy Hanks” (named after the bay mare that held the world mile trotting record, the mare herself said to have been named after Abraham Lincoln’s mother). Service was cancelled on August 13, 1893, after several “Nancy’s” trotted off the tracks. The “Nancy” made her last run through Toomsboro on April 30, 1971.

Willett Hotel (1890s)

This circa 1890s hotel was once the center of activity in Toomsboro and after years of decline, its 16 rooms and 14 baths have been fully restored. It is presently unoccupied and listed for sale.

Historical Marker

Open to view words on marker

Toomsboro on November 22nd, 1864 the left wing (15th and 17th corps of Major O.O. Howard. USA) of the General Sherman’s army which had left Atlanta on November 15th on its destructive march to the sea began moving from Gordon to the Oconee River the 15th corps (Osterhaus) moved via Irwinton and Myrtle Springs church to cross at Ball’s Ferry (8 miles SE). 17th Corps (Blair) moved via the railroad to Toomsboro to cross at Jackson’s Ferry (6 miles NE). That day G. A. Smith division, 17th Corps, preceded by the 1st Alabama Calvary [USA], reached Toomsboro (Emmett – No. 15 CRR) On the 23rd the Calvary advanced along the railroad and drove Confederate skirmishers from a stockade two miles from the river. They were relieved by Pott’s brigade which, with one gun from the 1st Minnesota Battery; drove the defenders of the second stockade and across the bridge; but, confine the to the railroad by the swamps on each side. Potts was unable to dislodge the defenders from their works on the east bank, from which rifle and artillery fire swept both the bridges and its one narrow approach. Learning from Smith at Jackson’s Ferry was on an abandoned road to the swamp impassable for troops and trains. Blair diverted to 17th Corps to Ball’s Ferry which had been secured by the cavalry. Smith destroyed two miles of trestle work and three miles of track, then withdrew his troops via Toomsboro and joining Blair and Ball’s ferry all the 25th.

Erected in 1957 to mark a historical site located on GA 57 at GA 112 just south of Toomsoboro (lat 32.821472592, long -83.078876128).