Kalpana Kalpana (Editor)

McRae Helena, Georgia

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Country
  
United States

County
  
Telfair, Wheeler

Zip code
  
31055

Area code
  
229

State
  
Georgia

Website
  
mcrae-helena.org

Population
  
8,745 (2015)

McRae-Helena, Georgia httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Driving in mcrae helena georgia part 2


The city of McRae-Helena, in the U.S. state of Georgia, was formed on January 1, 2015, when the two cities of McRae and Helena were merged. McRae-Helena is the County seat of Telfair County, Georgia.

Contents

It is largest city in Telfair County, Georgia with an estimated population of 8,745 in 2015. This includes the population held as inmates at McRae Correctional Institution. In downtown McRae-Helena is a small replica of the Statue of Liberty, a small replica of the Liberty Bell, and a marble memorial to Telfair County residents who died in military service.

History

On January 1, 2015, McRae and the adjacent town of Helena merged to form McRae-Helena. This merge was initiated because Helena could not manage the city’s wastewater capacity. If McRae took on on Helena’s water services, Helena would have been left with less revenue, and it would have been left providing only two services. Therefore, the cities were united with House Bill 967, sponsored by Representative Jimmy Pruett of the 149th district. It was signed into law by Governor Nathan Deal on April 10, 2014.

Geography

McRae-Helena is located in northern Telfair County at 32°3′52″N 82°53′54″W (32.064508, -82.898251).

Several U.S. highways pass through McRae-Helena Area. U.S. Routes 23 and 341 pass through the city as Oak Street, leading northwest 20 miles (32 km) to Eastman and southeast 24 miles (39 km) to Hazlehurst, while U.S. Routes 280, 319, and 441 pass through as Third Avenue, crossing US 23/341 in the center of town. US 280 leads northeast 33 miles (53 km) to Vidalia and west 55 miles (89 km) to Cordele, while US 319/441 leads south 19 miles (31 km) to the small town of Jacksonville and north 35 miles (56 km) to Dublin.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.34000 square miles (11.24055 km2). The Little Ocmulgee River flows just northeast of the city limits.

Sites of interest

Located in downtown McRae-Helena is Liberty Square, home of a Statue of Liberty replica that is one-twelfth the size of the original. It has a replica of the Liberty Bell and a marble memorial to Telfair County residents who died in military service.

On the outskirts of McRae-Helena is the Talmadge Home. This historic home was occupied by two former Georgia governors, Eugene Talmadge and Herman Eugene Talmadge. McRae-Helena was also the birthplace of Marion B. Folsom (1893–1976), a longtime executive of the Eastman Kodak Company who served as the United States Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare during the Eisenhower administration.

Famous railfan photographer William B. Folsom is buried in McRae-Helena.

Telfair County School District

The Telfair County School District holds pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of one elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. The district has 112 full-time teachers and over 1,648 students.

  • Telfair County Elementary School
  • Telfair County Middle School
  • Telfair County High School
  • Higher education

  • Oconee Fall Line Technical College - McRae-Helena Campus
  • Demographics

    In 2015 it was estimated there were 8,754 people, including the population held as inmates at McRae Correctional Institution, residing in the city.

    Economy

    Major employers in McRae-Helena include:

  • Husqvarna
  • McRae Correctional Institution
  • City of McRae-Helena
  • Coca-Cola Bottling Plant
  • Golden Peanut Company
  • Telfair State Prison
  • Little Ocmulgee State Park
  • Cook Petro
  • Griffins Warehouse-McRae, LLC
  • References

    McRae-Helena, Georgia Wikipedia