Page Contents for Blackshear, Georgia

Statistics & Facts

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Chamber of Commerce.

Community events.

Organizations, Churches, and Sports.

Libraries.

Schools.

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Statistics & Facts

The Georgia state capital is Atlanta.
The population of Blackshear is approximately 3,263 (1990), 3445 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 1,405 (1990), 1381 (2010).
The amount of land area in Blackshear is 9.349 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0.224 sq kilometers.
The distance from Blackshear to Washington DC is 606 miles.
The distance to the Georgia state capital is 214 miles. (as the crow flies)
Blackshear is positioned 31.29 degrees north of the equator and 82.24 degrees west of the prime meridian.

History & History Related Items

Civil War Prison Site
In November 1864, over 5000 Union prisoners of war were brought to Blackshear from Savannah via Andersonville, Georgia to avoid General Sherman's armies liberating the prisoners. They were imprisoned here in Blackshear until the beginning of January, 1865, when they were transferred to Thomasville, Savannah, and back to Andersonville. Today, a plaque marks the site of the prison camp. Located on Hwy 203 North on the outskirts of Blackshear.
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Attractions

Heritage museum and genealogical library
We highlight the history of Pierce County and the state of Georgia. There are exhibits on agriculture (cotton and tobacco), local artist's paintings, church histories, manuscripts and photographs, the American Civil War, and much more.

Historic Sites to Visit in Pierce County:

Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church and cemetery:
The cemetery dates back to the 1830's and is the oldest cemetery in Pierce County. Among citizens buried in the cemetery is one veteran of the American Revolution, Civil War veterans, as well as veterans from WWI, WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam.
The church is a very simple built structure with no elaborate furnishings on the inside. The architecture of the church is very plain, but quite unique from the majority of churches one might see. Church meetings are held throughout the year on an irregular basis.

Blackshear Cemetery (c. 1830)

Raulerson Cemetery (c. 1830)

Civil War Prison (Nov. 1864-Jan. 1865)
Over 5000 Union soldiers were imprisoned here to avoid liberation by General Sherman's troops.

Blackshear Presbyterian Church (1874) First Presbyterian Church in Blackshear

Courthouses:
Pierce County has two of its five courthouses still standing. The fourth courthouse was built in 1875 after the previous courthouse burned that year. It stands in the city park square of Blackshear and is a private residence.
The fifth courthouse built in 1903 stands at the end of main street in Blackshear. It is still in use today.

City Jail:
Built in 1894,this Gothic style jailhouse is a very unique structure. It has been called the "Hanging Jail" through the years because of its tower casemate, but no one was ever actually hanged inside the jailhouse. The jailor lived downstairs with his wife and family while the prisoners were confined in the cells upstairs. Today one can visit this historic structure which is listed on the National Registry. Call the Pierce County Chamber of Commerce for more info: 912-449-7044.

Brantley Brick Warehouse (c. 1900)
Most likely the oldest and only tobacco brick warehouse in the state of Georgia. Currently serves as an antique mall, restaurant, and law offices.

Heritage Museum and Railroad Depot:
Located in the Blackshear Railroad Depot (c. 1900), this museum depicts a time line of Pierce County and her citizens. Various artifacts through the years have been donated by people of the county.

Blackshear Road Marker
General David Blackshear ordered a military road to be built through what is now Blackshear during the War of 1812.

Citizens Bank (1905)
Now serves as the Pierce County Press newspaper offices

City Water Tower and works (c. 1900)
One of the few remaining concrete water towers of its kind in the state of Georgia.
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Blackshear City Government

Blackshear City Clerk's Office
318 Taylor St.
Blackshear, GA 31516-1718
Phone: 912-449-7000

Blackshear Chamber

Chamber of Commerce
SW Central Ave.
Blackshear, GA 31516
Phone: 912-449-7044

Blackshear Community Events

Fall/Winter
Harvest Festival-in Blackshear (Fall)
Pierce County High School Homecoming Parade-in Blackshear (Fall)
Christmas Parade-in Blackshear (December)
Spring/Summer
Pierce County Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament-in Blackshear (Spring)
Fourth of July Celebration-in Patterson (July)
Softball League-in Blackshear (Spring & Summer)
Biz Z Warehouse Flea Market (April & November)
Tobacco Market Auctions (July-October)
Contact the Chamber of Commerce for more information
Phone: 912-449-7044

Blackshear Organizations

Chamber of Commerce
SW Central Ave.
Blackshear, GA 31516
Phone: 912-449-7044

Blackshear Libraries

Blackshear Public Library
600 Main Street
Blackshear, Georgia
phone: 912-449-7040
hours: Mon.-Fri.
A branch library of the Okeefenokee Public Library System based in Waycross, Georgia. The Blackshear library contains general books, periodicals, reference materials, along with computers, and a heritage room containing historical information of Pierce County.

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Marian Anderson Library
623 Sycamore St.
Blackshear, GA 31516-2119
Phone: 912-449-6025

Blackshear Schools

Pierce County High School
4850 County Farm Rd.
Blackshear, Georgia 31516-1236
Phone: 912-449-2055
Mascot: Bear
Colors: Blue & Silver

Pierce County High School Athletics offers:
Football
Basketball (Boys & Girls)
Baseball
Tennis (Boys & Girls)
Golf (Boys & Girls)

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Pierce County Board of Education
114 Strickland Ave.
Blackshear, GA 31516-1236
Phone: 912-449-2044