Alamo was incorporated in August, 1909, J.M.
Fordham was elected the first mayor and laws were formulated. Glenwood is
believed to have been incorporated around 1895. There were a dozen or
more businesses in each town including cotton gins, saw mills, grist
mills, and turpentine stills to accomodate the natural resources. Doctors
and lawyers rendered professional services to the increasing population.
Churches and civic organizations were organized. Schools were
built. The steady growth of Alamo and Glenwood encouraged the people to
bid for a new county. The proposed new county was to be formed of that
portion of Montgomery County west of the Oconee River. The primary reasons
for the new county were (1) wonderful growth of the west side (2) natural
boundaries: east by the Oconee River west and south by the Ocmulgee and
Little Ocmulgee Rivers: (3) inconvenience of crossing the treacherous
Oconee which was uncrossable several months of the year, to attend
business at the county seat in Mount Vernon. The plan orginally was for
the county to be called Kent in honor of William B. Kent who served in the
legislature at that time. However, it was named Wheeler in honor of Civil
War General Joseph E. Wheeler. Alamo was made the county seat when
Wheeler was created on August 14, 1912. The new county took in 294.6
acres with a population of 10,000. A courthouse was financed by a $50,000
bond issue.
With World War I, came an all time high in cotton prices. Farmers
borrowed money and planted more cotton than ever before. The amistice
brought a drop in cotton prices and, to worsen matters, the boll weevil
hit the cotton crops. Loan Companies took over farm after farm. In
addition, fire took its toll of residences and businesses, including
Idelson's store, one of the largest in this section of the state. In the
late twenties, however, new water systems were installed and the Georgia
Power Company bought franchises from the towns to furnish
electricity. The thirties found Wheeler county "bone dry" despite
elections legalizing beer and liquors. The depression hit hard but the
county kept its head above the water. The roads from Alamo to Glenwood and
Alamo to Lumber City were paved. This information was donated by: DONNIE CLARK More on WHEELER COUNTY
Email: dclark@mail.telfair.public.lib.ga.us
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