Midway, Georgia

 

 

Midway's history dates back to the 18th century. Puritans migrated to St. John's Parish, Georgia, from Dorchester, South Carolina, in 1752 and established several settlements, including what became the Midway community. The Council of Georgia granted them 31,950 acres (129.3 km²), as colonial officials wanted a large number of settlers in the area to help protect them from the Creek Indians. The original Midway settlers were primarily rice planters and developed a strong agricultural economy, aided by the 1,500 slaves they brought from South Carolina.^[4]

The city of Midway was incorporated in 1925.

In 1973, the Midway Historic District, encompassing the Midway Congregational Church and Cemetery, the Midway Museum, and the Old Sunbury Road, was added to the National Register of Historic Places.^[5]

Midway is located in eastern Liberty County at 31°48′00″N 81°24′44″W / 31.799873°N 81.412298°W / 31.799873; -81.412298 (31.799873, -81.412298).^[6] The current city limits include the former unincorporated community of Dorchester. The city limits extend east to include Exit 76 on Interstate 95, at the eastern terminus of U.S. Route 84. Via I-95 it is 32 miles (51 km) northeast to Savannah and 45 miles (72 km) south to Brunswick. US 84 leads west from I-95 through Midway 15 miles (24 km) to Hinesville, the Liberty county seat. To the east from I-95, Islands Highway continues 10 miles (16 km) to Colonels Island among the Atlantic coastal marshes.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Midway has a total area of 6.4 square miles (16.7 km²), of which 1.74 acres (7,053 m²), or 0.04%, are water.^[7]

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,141 people, 615 households, and 457 families residing in the city.

Midway has an industrial park with nine manufacturing facilities. In 2007, Target Corporation opened a 1,500,000-square-foot (140,000 m²) regional distribution center, with two sections to the facility being present: Tradeport East and Tradeport West ^[10]

The Midway Museum is home to documents, exhibits, and furnishings associated with the Midway Society from the Colonial period through its last meeting in December 1865. The Midway Museum was Georgia's first colonial museum.^{[citation needed]}

In July 2011 Midway received national attention after city police shut down a lemonade stand run by young girls attempting to earn money for a waterpark trip. Police and city officials maintained the girls were required to obtain a business license.^[11] Neighboring Richmond Hill allowed the girls to set up their lemonade stand at its first farmer's market later that month.^[12]

The 2014 award-winning independent film A Promise was filmed in Liberty County.^[13][14]

In 1980 key scenes for the Italian horror film City of the Living Dead were shot within Midway Cemetery across the road from Midway Congregational Church.

Public education is provided by the Liberty County School System.^[15] Public schools located in Midway are:

• Liberty Elementary School (grades K through 5)^[16]
• Midway Middle School (grades 6 through 8)^[17]

• Moses Allen, minister (d. 1779)
• Benjamin Andrew, planter (d. 1790)
• Daniel Baker, Presbyterian minister (d. 1857)
• Nathan Brownson, physician and statesman (d. 1796)
• Lyman Hall, physician and statesman (d. 1790)
• Abiel Holmes, clergyman and historian (d. 1837)
• Raekwon McMillan, American football linebacker (b. 1995)
• Daniel Stewart (Brigadier General), politician and brigadier general, (d. 1829)
• John W. Wilcox Jr., rear admiral in the U.S. Navy (d. 1942)

• Official website
• Midway Museum