Demographics

The small town of Homer is located in Banks County, Georgia and serves as the county seat. The northern boundary of Banks County is the Chattahoochee National Forest and much of the county is woodlands. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 9.6 square miles, all land. As of 2000, the total population of Banks County was 14,422, growing to 16,055 by 2005, Census estimates show. In 2000, there were 950 people, 366 households, and 249 families residing in the Homer.

History

Created in 1858 from parts of Franklin and Habersham counties, Banks County was named for Dr. Richard E. Banks, a prominent, traveling physician who treated both settlers and Indians in northern Georgia and South Carolina. Homer, the county's only municipality, was incorporated in 1859 and was named after Homer Jackson, a prominent settler.

In its early days, the Banks County economy was based on cotton and corn. By the 1920s, cotton and corn gave way to beef and poultry production and textile manufacturing as the area's primary industries; then came poultry feed production in the 1960s. Today Banks County's growth is primarily related to the increase in retail sales and tourism from the Banks Crossing shopping outlet center.

Banks County boasts one famous resident. The great Ty Cobb, the first player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, was born in Banks County on December, 18, 1886 at 1350 Hwy. 105 (now named Ty Cobb Parkway).

Homer's claim to fame is - the town was one of the earliest world record holders for its annual Easter Egg Hunt. In the 1985 Guinness Book of World Records, Homer holds the record for the most eggs hid, a total of 80,000 eggs, in its hunt that year. The event is a 47-year-old, Easter Sunday tradition that draws about 5,000 egg hunters, children and adults. Even though it no longer holds the record, Homer still touts its annual hunt, hosted by Garrison Farms, as the world's largest. For over a century, each July Homer has held an annual Sunday School celebration, honoring Banks County's churches.

Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping

Banks County is the home of Banks Crossing, one of the of the most visited outlet centers in the South. Banks Crossing offers over 150 stores with over 1 million square feet of manufacturer-direct outlet shopping. The shops at Banks Crossing are a 6.5 mile-10 minute drive from Homer on Hwy 441 in Commerce, Georgia.

Historical Sites

Fort Hollingsworth

Built circa 1793, Fort Hollingsworth served to protect against Indian attacks during the American Revolution. Located on Wynn Lake Road in northern Banks County, the fort stands in remarkable condition. A frame house built around the fort in the 1800s has protected it from ruin for more than two hundred years. "A Day at the Fort" celebration is held on Memorial Day Weekend.

Banks County Historic Courthouse

Located in downtown Homer, the courthouse is one of the oldest in Georgia. Built in 1870 and restored in the 1980s, this historic courthouse now houses the Chamber of Commerce. A modern courthouse facility has been built nearby.

The Ragsdale Gristmill

The Ragsdale Gristmill was built in the early 1860s. With millstones for grinding meal, threshing equipment to separate grain from hay, and a vertical saw for sawing logs into boards beneath the mill house, this mill met all the needs of the farmer.

The Old Banks County Jail

This former jail, constructed in 1906, is now open and available for tours.

Blind SuzyBridge

Located on Antioch Road off of GA Hwy. 51, this covered bridge was constructed around 1911.

Things to Do

The Atlanta Dragway site was built in 1975 on land originally graded for an airport. The first track was good, old Georgia red clay. In 1980, the track was sold, paved, and sanctioned as an NHRA track. Back then, the track was only open twice a year for major events. The NHRA purchased the track in 1993, made substantial improvements, and now hold events year round. Located in nearby Commerce, the Atlanta Dragway is a 7 mile-1 minute drive from Homer.

Play 18-holes on Hammers Glen Golf Club & Retreat. Voted one of the top ten public courses in Georgia by Georgia Fairways Magazine, Hammers Glen will host the 2008 Georgia Open. The course is located on Scales Creek Road in Homer.

Will Homer score with home buyers? Homer's historical interest, and proximity to the mountains of North Georgia and Lake Lanier, shopping at Bank's Crossing, golfing at Hammers Glen, or racing at the Atlanta Dragway, may be enough to draw those searching for a new home and a small-town way of life.

Our Homer site is the one Internet site that specializes in Homer real estate for sale and offers complete relocation services throughout the area. Our interactive Web site not only provides new home information, like detailed descriptions, photos, and floor plans, it also provides pertinent community information on local schools, recreation, and other features to help you make important decisions on your new Homer home before you move. At New Homes Realty, our goal is to satisfy you, the buyer. Our licensed Homer Real Estate Agents offer professional, personalized real estate services and objective advice - all at no cost to you.