Griffin Spalding Historical Society

06/13/2026

Turf Magic has been treating our grounds for a couple years now and it has never looked better here at The Bailey Tebault House - Thank you, Turf Magic!

06/11/2026

Calling all local history enthusiasts!

Join us in Senoia tonight as GSHS President Drew Payne shares the story of the Griffin-Spalding Historical Society: our founding, preservation efforts, and the work we’re doing to protect and celebrate our community’s history.

You’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about our committees and community partners, including the Southside Genealogical Society. Whether you’re a longtime member, a history buff, or simply curious about local preservation, this event is open to everyone!

We hope to see you there!

📜 Join us for our June Monthly Program! 📜

We're thrilled to welcome the Griffin-Spalding Historical Society to Senoia!

Executive Director Maggie Saunders and GSHS President Drew Payne will share the story of their founding, mission, and recent preservation successes — including their beautiful headquarters at the historic Bailey-Tebault House. 🏛️
They'll also spotlight the Southside Genealogical Society and the many ways GSHS engages and involves their community.

🗓️ Thursday, June 11, 2026 (TONIGHT)

🕡 Doors open at 6:30 PM — light refreshments & socializing
🎙️ Program begins at 7:00 PM
📍 6 Couch Street, Historic Downtown Senoia, GA
🎟️ Free for SAHS members | $5 suggested donation for guests

Bring a friend and discover what's happening just up the road in Griffin! 🌳
🔗 Learn more about GSHS at griffinhistory.com
🔗 SenoiaHistory.com

06/08/2026

Today in History:

On June 8, 1840, Gen. Lewis Lawrence Griffin stood on a stump near the town spring in what was then Pike County, and began selling lots to the highest bidder, establishing the City of Griffin.

Founded as a railroad community, Griffin became an important center of commerce for Middle Georgia and when Spalding County was created in 1851 from portions of Fayette, Henry, and Pike, Griffin was selected county seat.

Learn more about the founding of Griffin on our Blog: https://www.griffinhistory.com/post/the-founding-of-griffin-railroads-vision-and-a-tree-stump-auction

06/05/2026

We need two more houses in Griffin for this year's Historic Tour of Homes happening December 6th, 2026. Know your home's age but not sure of it's history? No worries. We'll help you find it.

If you, or someone you know, is interested in opening your home for this event, email us at [email protected].

05/25/2026

On Memorial Day, we honor and remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. We are especially mindful of the families, friends, and fellow service members who carry their memory every day.

Did you know Georgia played an important role in the origins of Memorial Day? The National Cemetery Administration credits Mary Ann Williams of Columbus, Georgia with helping establish the tradition of decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers a practice that inspired the first national observance of “Decoration Day” in 1868. Here in Griffin, Memorial Day services were documented as early as 1888, when local residents gathered to decorate graves.

Photo from GSHS Archives, Copy from Front Page of Griffin Daily Newspaper May 31, 1971.

05/13/2026

05/03/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported GSHS yesterday at our Derby Party & Fundraiser. We had a beautiful time in the garden. This event would not have been possible without the incredible support of our sponsors and volunteers:

A special thank you to
• First National Bank of Griffin, Gold Sponsor
• Jeffrey's Bottle Shoppe, bar sponsor
• Allison and Holli, for the photo backdrop everyone loved featuring Letters & Company’s beautiful banner

We’re also grateful to
• Lost Horizon Bluegrass Band, for an amazing performance 🎶
• The Liquor Gate, for bourbon gift bottles 🥃
• Hollowood Home & Candle, for the Best Hat gift basket 🎁
• Pursell Farms Farms, for the getaway package 🌿
• Kroger, for discounted roses 🌹
• Lowe’s, for generous plant donations 🌱

And a huge thank you to our Events Committee, House and Grounds Committee, and Board, your time and support mean everything to us!

🎉 Congratulations to our winners
• Kay Mobley, Best Hat on the Track, winner of a gorgeous Hollowood gift basket
• Allison Wilder, Runner Up
• Congrats to Robert Morgan, winner of the Pursell Farms getaway
• Thank you to Randy Shaw for donating his 50/50 raffle winnings back to the Griffin Spalding Historical Society 💛

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended our Derby Party, your enthusiasm and community spirit made it truly special all while helping support our mission. We can’t wait to see you at future events 🏇✨

More photos coming soon, we’ll share an album here once they’re ready 📷

04/28/2026

Reminder:

If your daughter plans to apply for the 2026–2027 Griffin-Spalding Historical Society Junior Guild, your family must have an active GSHS membership.

The deadline to join is May 1, 2026.

Membership is required in order to receive an invitation to apply, and space is limited each year.

Junior Guild is open to rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

You can join here:
https://www.griffinhistory.com/

Questions? Email [email protected]

04/25/2026

Today in History: In the early hours of April 25, 1908, at approximately 2:00 a.m., a powerful tornado tore through Griffin, leaving a path of destruction in what became known as the “Griffin Disaster.” The storm devastated the Rushton Mills cotton mill complex and nearby homes, forever changing the landscape of the community.

This tragic event was part of the "1908 Dixie Tornado Outbreak", which swept across the Southeastern United States from April 23–25, claiming hundreds of lives.

These historic photographs, generously donated to the Griffin-Spalding Historical Society in 1997 by Mr. Otis Snider, offer a sobering glimpse into the aftermath, and the resilience that followed. Rushton Mill would later be rebuilt, standing as a testament to the strength of the Griffin community of the time.