Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
At Home In<br />
Houston County<br />
Published by<br />
PUBLISHER<br />
Cheri Adams<br />
cadams@hhjnews.com<br />
ADVERTIS<strong>IN</strong>G MANAGER<br />
Kerri Wright<br />
kerriw@hhjnews.com<br />
ADVERTIS<strong>IN</strong>G<br />
Lori Kovarovic<br />
lorik@hhjnews.com<br />
Nathan Mathis<br />
nmathis@hhjnews.com<br />
WRITERS<br />
Kristin Moriarty<br />
kristinm@hhjnews.com<br />
Donnell Suggs<br />
dsuggs@hhjnews.com<br />
James Simpson II<br />
jamess@hhjnews.com<br />
Christine Hawley<br />
chawley@hhjnews.com<br />
Tara Poole<br />
Contributor<br />
GRAPHICS MANAGER/LAYOUT<br />
Valerie Swyryn<br />
valeries@hhjnews.com<br />
<strong>HOUSTON</strong><br />
Publications,<br />
Incorporated<br />
1210 Washington Street<br />
P.O. Box 1910<br />
Perry, GA 31069<br />
Phone: 478-987-1823<br />
www.hhjonline.com<br />
GRAPHIC DESIGN<br />
Ashley Andrews<br />
production@hhjnews.com<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY<br />
Kasey Enckler<br />
Geoff Dale<br />
Cheri Adams<br />
Kristin Moriarty<br />
Houston County<br />
Don’t call us that Texas city name<br />
Have you reached your destination here in<br />
Houston County, or are you just staying over?<br />
Whichever your answer is, this free guide was<br />
prepared just for you to help you have a closer<br />
look at what Houston County has to offer.<br />
Located in the heart of Georgia, Houston<br />
County was the 51st county formed in Georgia<br />
and was created in 1821 through a treaty<br />
signed with the Creek Indians. The county<br />
was named for Gov. John Houstoun and was<br />
originally spelled “Houstoun.” Over time the<br />
spelling of the county’s name changed to<br />
Houston County, though the pronunciation,<br />
House-ton, stayed the same. Perry, the county<br />
seat and geographic center of the state of<br />
Georgia, was incorporated in 1824 as Houston’s<br />
first official town.<br />
Houston County is also a great place to raise<br />
a family. In fact, in 2009, Warner Robins was<br />
recognized by Business Week as the “best city<br />
in Georgia to raise a family.” In 2015, Perry was<br />
recognized by onlyinyourstate.com as the third<br />
“happiest city to live in.”<br />
Ranked as one of the fastest-growing<br />
counties in Georgia, Houston County has<br />
grown in population from 105,808 in 1998 to<br />
a population in 2014 of 149,111, according<br />
to the United States Census Bureau. Houston<br />
County is a good place to do business —<br />
recently designated as one of Georgia’s<br />
Entrepreneur Friendly Communities by the<br />
Georgia Department of Economic Development.<br />
“Inc. Magazine” ranked Warner Robins as one<br />
of the top 100 places to do business. With its<br />
strategic location in the center of the state and<br />
proximity to Interstate 75, Interstate 16 and 10<br />
U.S. and state highways crisscrossing through<br />
the county, local companies and industries<br />
have convenient access to the entire Eastern<br />
seaboard. The Perry-Houston County Airport<br />
offers a 5,000-foot runway for small planes and<br />
corporate jets.<br />
Houston County’s favorable climate makes<br />
it an ideal place to stop, shop, stay and play a<br />
while. Houston County’s warmest month on<br />
average occurs in July with highs in the low<br />
to mid 90s and lows in the 70s. The average<br />
coolest month is typically in January with highs<br />
in the upper 50s and lows in the low to mid<br />
30s. July is on record as the month with the<br />
most precipitation with January through March<br />
following closely behind. Snow and ice are a<br />
rarity but have occurred between January and<br />
March.<br />
It does not matter if you are staying in the<br />
“International City” of Warner Robins, the<br />
rapidly growing shoppers’ mecca of Centerville,<br />
or the traditional Southern small town of Perry;<br />
Houston County brings the best of the new<br />
and old South together. Houston County is the<br />
home of Robins Air Force Base, which offers the<br />
exciting Museum of Aviation. Houston County is<br />
also home to the Georgia National Fairgrounds,<br />
which attracts over half a million of people<br />
every October for the fair, and also has yearround<br />
events such as horse shows, dog shows,<br />
rodeos and major exhibitions.<br />
We’re proud to be known as one of Georgia’s<br />
most progressive counties, and we are just as<br />
proud of our agricultural history, something<br />
you cannot really see from the Interstate. So<br />
take time and enjoy the side roads — you may<br />
find an antique shop along the way or various<br />
specialty boutiques and homemade meals at<br />
small-town restaurants.<br />
So give Houston County a try — just don’t<br />
pronounce it the same as that city in Texas.<br />
8.<br />
20.<br />
28.<br />
36.<br />
34<br />
Never forget where you came from<br />
From Houston County to Washington D.C.<br />
cousins & US officials Sonny & David Perdue<br />
Perry comes together in downtown<br />
Historical downtown is the focus of<br />
good times and great shopping<br />
Air Force One brings President and First Lady<br />
to Robins Air Force Base<br />
Meet us at the game<br />
See what football Friday night is like in Houston County<br />
Contents<br />
52.<br />
62.<br />
74.<br />
80.<br />
88.<br />
At Home in Houston County<br />
Creating community around food<br />
Farm to table goodness at local farmer’s markets<br />
Soar into the Museum of Aviation<br />
Why the MOA is a must-see<br />
Broadway vibes in Houston County<br />
Productions and musicals come to life in Perry and<br />
Warner Robins<br />
Who, What & Where directories<br />
A listing of area businesses<br />
Our school system at a glance<br />
04 Masthead.indd 1 10/25/18 6:54 PM