McDuffie County was carved out of Warren and Columbia Counties in 1870 by an act of the Georgia General Assembly. The county is bound by Little River on its northern edge (now part of Clarks Hill Lake) and Little Brier Creek on its southern edge. The county’s population grew rapidly from the 1960s until the early 2000s and is currently increasing at a slower rate. McDuffie County offers the amenities of a city—such as restaurants, shops, tourist attractions, and industry—while retaining a rural countryside that preserves the small-town feel. The diverse culture of McDuffie County includes the rich tradition of the Belle Meade Fox Hunt, the history and festival honoring local blues legend Blind Willie McTell, Clarks Hill Lake, the home of Sen. Thomas E. Watson, the historic Rock House, and the Quaker village of Wrightsboro.
In honor of the 150th anniversary of McDuffie County, author Chase Norman Beggs, a McDuffie County native and graduate of Thomson High School, is proud to present a preserved compilation of vintage images that depict the history of the county. Beggs is the planning and zoning administrator for McDuffie County and has a bachelor of arts in history and political science from Augusta University.