Peachtree City, Fayetteville, Tyrone, and Brooks in Fayette County - Something Good for Everyone!

Fayette County, named by veterans of the American Revolution who served under General Marquis de La Fayette, originally sold for 19 cents an acre when purchased from the Creek Indians in 1821. However, the price of land in Fayette County has gone up some since then! In fact, Fayette County leads the 20-county metro Atlanta area in average home price. Although Fayette County is a suburban community, its roots are rural. As late as 1970, the population remained under 10,000, but now stands at 83,700.

Fayette County's link to the novel "Gone With the Wind" is part of its rural heritage. Author Margaret Mitchell's great grandparents in Fayette County were the inspiration for Scarlett's family, the O'Haras. The fictional Scarlett attended the non-fictional Fayetteville Academy and was on the site of the Glynn Street School, which was recently renovated to become the new Municipal Complex for the City of Fayetteville. This location is just a short distance from The Home Source Realtors office in Fayetteville.

Peachtree City, Fayette County's largest city is also its youngest. Arising from a 15,000-acre planned community, the City of Peachtree City, incorporated in 1959 is almost completed. Peachtree City holds title to the nation's lowest crime rate of any city with a population of more than 20,000. Peachtree City also has the distinction of having the South's highest per capita ownership of golf carts! Residents can reach almost any venue in the city along its 70 miles of cart paths. A current and complementary golf cart path (and street) map can be obtained 7 days at The Home Source Realtors office on Westpark Drive in Peachtree City. Call 678-234-1239 for directions.

The Town of Tyrone was named by Irish railroad workers who thought the lush green countryside reminded them of home. Tyrone has recently completed a comprehensive plan built around a town center concept. The centerpiece of the plan will be a municipal complex, with adjacent recreational facilities that will be the heart of activities for its 3,800 citizens.

Although fewer than 400 people inhabit the quiet town of Brooks, it has its own water system, post office and library.

The county's school system is often cited as the chief reason for Fayette County's phenomenal growth. Fayette has a consolidated system with 20 schools. Fortunately, Fayette's citizens have continued to financially support the asset that led them to the county. In 1984, voters approved a $14 million bond issue; in 1988 they approved an additional $27.5 million; in 1994 still another $35 million. Growth in the total tax digest has made the millage increases minimal.

The bricks and mortar aspect is important, but the instruction is even more so. Fayette County students score a full 54 points higher than the state average in SAT scores. The school system leads the state in norm-referenced tests. Ninety percent of the students go on to post-secondary schools with 85 percent going to four-year colleges or universities and 5 percent attending community or vocational colleges.

Fayette County will continue to keep its commitment to offering a quality lifestyle. In 1996, it improved further with the opening of a new hospital, Fayette Community Hospital, affiliated with Piedmont Hospital. As local officials note, Fayette County waited a long time for a hospital, but it waited for the best.

(The above article taken from "Metro Atlanta Newcomer's Guide", published by Chamber Publications, Inc)