Randolph County
is in the WSW part of Georgia and contains about 800 square miles.
It was established by an act of Congress on December 20, 1828 from Lee
County. It was named for John Randolph (1773 - 1833), a Senator and
Representative from Virginia for many years.
Randolph County included all of Stewart and Quitman Counties and parts of
Terrell and Clay Counties. Cuthbert was established and made the county
seat in 1831. It was incorporated into a town in 1834. Indians were in
this area until 1836 when they were driven out after the Creek Rebellion.
Randolph county is rich in old homes, some dating back as far as 1837.
There are roughly 34 homes built in the 1800s within the city limits of
Cuthbert. The present courthouse was built in 1885. The original was a log
fort building. By the late 1850s, Cuthbert was recognized as the
educational center of Georgia because of the two women's colleges in its
area, Andrew College and Baptist Female College of Southwest Georgia and a
male academy. Andrew College is the second oldest in the US and in 1956
became co-ed.
Railroads came to the area in the 1850s and it became a thriving
agricultural center. Now, Randolph County focuses on industry, which
prospers from its excellent transportation facilities. Also, because of
its abundant water supply and mostly mild weather, agriculture flourishes.
