The Origin of Vidalia

Dr. Daniel Good, my professor of URBAN GEOGRAPHY at Georgia Southern said, "Transportation is the maker or breaker of Cities." When I heard this statement in 1987, I new it was important, but it is one of the most useful lessons I have ever learned. Why? I take many things for granted, such as the origin of a city. However, there was a time when I would see footage of a city being flooded, and I would think, "Why did the city build so close to the river?"
Actually, the river is EXACTLY the reason for the city being located near the river. Since transportation is important for hauling people and materials, in the 1700s and prior, the river was a great way to carry people and goods. Of course, there were paths and dirt roads that carried people and goods via a wagon, stagecoach, or other devices. But, the river was a fast way to move these items. In our own region, Reidsville (founded about 1828) and Mt. Vernon (founded in 1797) are two examples of "River Towns".

In the early 1800s, railroads began dotting the landscape of America. This would change our country in a way that nothing else had before. Now, people did not have to depend on locations of rivers to decide a route that would carry people and goods. The railroad allowed people to choose the route that would allow them to quickly carry people and goods.

The origin of Atlanta began in 1836. Georgia decided to build a railroad to the U.S. Midwest. There was a stake driven in the ground at ZERO MILE POST. The name of the town was known as "Terminus".  This designated the end of the railroad line at that time. However, it quickly became the railroad hub for the Southern United States. The town's name became Marthasville in 1842, but by 1845, the present name of Atlanta was cemented. (This information is from Wikipedia.)

 There was a railroad that would change our area as well. In 1890, the Savannah, Americus, Montgomery (Alabama) Railroad (or SAM Railroad) owned by Sam Hawkins was built. The railroad created Vidalia, along with many stops that we now know as towns or crossroads, such as Lyons, Higgston, and MacGregor. Stops were required about every 3 miles to fuel the steam engine. The SAM Railroad ran east to west, and transported people and materials. The railroad discontinued the transportation of people through Vidalia around 1970. However, it has never stopped delivering materials. Many stories claim the way Vidalia came by its name. However, the real story goes back to 1890. W.T. Jenkins could be called the Father of Vidalia. He was very involved in much of our city's development. As a matter of fact, the name of the railroad stop located here was Jenkins Station for a short time, but one day a package was designated for Vidalia, and it was accepted by Jenkins and the name Vidalia became a reality. Other Railroad Lines would follow. The Macon, Dublin, Savannah Line is still used. It is the line that runs near Vidalia High School. It joins the SAM and continues on to Savannah. The final Railroad Line that came through Vidalia was the Florida-Georgia Line. For you old-time Vidalians, you will remember the overpass near the present location of Paul Thigpen's Car Lot. For you youngsters or folks new to our area, there was a line that ran south to north and went right by Rigdon Printing Co. As a matter of fact. the Rigdon Printing Co. is located near the original Train Depot where there was a railroad junction for these three railroads. The Florida-Georgia Railroad Line is now out of business.

Vidalia owes its origin and growth to the railroad! So, if you ever get frustrated having to wait on the train, take a deep breath and realize the importance of that 14-foot item rambling down the tracks!