This annual publication, Welcome Home, is designed to show you why that’ s so. But please, just keep it between us because we don’ t want the best-kept secret in the Peach State to be overrun by everyone at once.

This publication is designed to help you get everything you need to know about our charming neck of the woods. For new families and businesses, they’ ll find how to set up utilities, when to register for school and what to do for recreation. For long-time residents, they’ ll be reminded why Monroe County is a great place to live.

From the original Whistle Stop Cafe in the town of Juliette to the beautifully-restored 1896 courthouse, our county is alive with color and history. The Towaliga River at High Falls offers the perfect place for a romantic picnic lunch while avid antiquers will delight in the treasures that abound in the shops throughout our county. Whether you seek the thrill of world-class hunting in the woods around Smarr or are hot on the trail of your own family history in Forsyth-Monroe County offers something for everyone.

Our area is a network of unique but interconnected communities each bearing its own distinctive personality and past, but all uniting in common strength as we look toward our county’ s future. Here you will find the best of all worlds.

Our proximity to major centers such as Macon and Atlanta, as well as the ease

of travel afforded by the major north-south artery of Interstate 75, ensures access to a wealth of“ big city” amenities-- and yet we retain our“ small town” sensibilities and values. Those who work in Atlanta or Macon often choose to live in Forsyth- Monroe County; they appreciate the easier pace of our communities, the friendliness of our citizens and our wide array of superb educational, medical and professional services. Affordable property ensures commercial and residential prosperity and expansion even as we preserve the ambience of charm and neighborliness for which we are renowned.

Within these pages, you will find basic, but crucial, information such as numbers to call to get the utilities connected, information about Monroe County’ s schools and health-care facilities, and more. We also offer you an overview of the economic strength of the area and suggestions for leisure-time activities from hiking in one of the state parks to dining and shopping opportunities. Our goal is

AT-A-GLANCE

Forsyth- Monroe County

• Population Monroe County... 26,625 Forsyth........... 5,022 Culloden........... 227

( Source: U. S. Census, 2011)

The communities of Bolingbroke, High Falls, Juliette and Smarr are in unincorporated Monroe County.

The beautifully restored 1896

Monroe County courthouse glistens as the town’ s centerpiece.

to ease your transition as you make your home or locate your business within our county.

Rest assured that the staff at the Forsyth-Monroe County Chamber of Commerce will be happy to assist you with any questions about the area or to direct you to one of our member businesses who can best meet your needs. We warmly welcome you to Forsyth-Monroe County.

Area Code........... 478

Location

Monroe County is located in central Georgia, approximately 50 miles south of Atlanta and 25 miles north of Macon. Surrounding counties include Bibb, Jones, Jasper, Lamar, Butts, Crawford and Upson. Both Forsyth and Culloden are located along the Peach Blossom Trail that follows U. S. 41 / 341 from Jonesboro to Perry. Forsyth, along with the community of Bolingbroke, is also part of the Antiques Trail.