Historical Overview

Mitchell County was created in 1857 from a portion of Baker County that lay east of the Flint River in the heart of southwest Georgia. Camilla, Georgia was incorporated in 1858 and in the same year, one year after the founding of Mitchell County, named the county seat.

Mitchell County is named for General Henry Mitchell of Hancock County, who was a great leader in the movement for independence during the Revolutionary War and for many years presided over the Senate of Georgia. Camilla was named in honor of Miss Camilla Mitchell, the nineteen year-old granddaughter of General Henry Mitchell.

Due to a death of residents and the intervention of military occupation, no city elections were held until 1868. Since that time Camilla has been blessed with efficient and forward-looking city administrations. For example, instead of "granting" electrical power distribution to franchise companies, Camilla instituted its own electrical system, thereby assuring its citizens affordable electricity and, simultaneously, lowering property taxes with the "profits" from the sale of electricity. Furthermore, Camilla is currently installing a city-owned, high speed data transmission system for homes and businesses.

Camilla is at the center of one of the most efficient irrigated agricultural production systems in the world. A myriad of crops and products such as peanuts, pecans, pine trees, poultry, cotton, cattle, and vegetables are grown in the fertile fields surrounding Camilla. Most of these products are further processed in Camilla, thereby giving employment to her people and profit to her businesses.

Camilla has a proud history and a great future.

Historical Links

Mitchell County Genealogy Web site

Mitchell County High School Alumni Directory

Mitchell County Facts and Figures

Southwest Georgia History Site

1860 Census of Mitchell County, Georgia

Mitchell County, Georgia Civil War Units

Southwest Georgia Genealogical Society

Biography of some local Indian chieftains from the 1700's

Current Statistics

Southwest Georgia Regional Development Center

Georgia Department of Public Health - Mitchell County Information

Mitchell County Air Photo Holdings by the University of Georgia

 

Mitchell County Courthouse

Landmarks
Many of the most beautiful landmarks line Broad Street in Camilla. All visitors to this town should take a drive down Broad where they'll see antebellum homes, a historic courthouse and businesses, and end up at the Spirit of Camilla railroad.