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Exploring milestones from the past
0520 echoes
Effingham began printing childrens pictures for free as the future World Builders on March 15, 1957. From left to right are Ginger Sheffield, LaDonna Cronian, Louise Exley, Gloria Thompson and Mose Mock, age 19 months at the time. Photo provided - photo by Photo provided

The following are important events on a timeline for 100 years of Effingham’s History by the Effingham Herald in January 2000. World builders in the Sept. 6, 1957 issue of the Springfield Herald included: Ginger Sheffield, age 9, LaDonna Cronian, age 10, Louise Exley, age 11, Gloria Thompson, age 5, and a 19-month-old “Mose” Mock. 

March 19, 1997:”The Gingerbread Man” films at Webb Jewelers in Springfield.

September 4, 1996: Known as the year of the “split.” South Effingham High opens with Dr. Franklin Goldwire as principal.

July 18, 1995: City of Springfield purchases old Springfield Ford building for a city hall.

Oct. 8, 1995: St. John’s Lutheran in Rincon marks its 100th anniversary.

February 9, 1994: First Effingham Day at the Capitol sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.

March 10, 1993: E-911 Service activated.

May 23, 1990: Four lanes of traffic opened between Rincon and I-95.

1988: County votes to permit beer and wine. Rincon Library Branch opened

April 8, 1987: First baby born at a rural free-standing birthing center in the State of Georgia was Amanda Kate Coover at Family Health and Birthing Center in Rincon.

August 1987: County will develop a 999 acre Industrial Park.

November 25, 1987: First County Administrator John Patrick Lingenfelser hired.

1986: Walmart opened in Rincon.

July 17, 1985: Fort Howard chooses Effingham for 1,800 acre paper mill. They began production in October.

September 30, 1982: Beloved Guyton physician Dr. Charles Brown Jr. dies.

August 1980: Census shows the county has grown to 17,889 from 13,632 in ten years.

December 1978: Guyton’s first annual Tour of Homes is begun by Dr. Willie Todd.

1977: Two UGA professors locate the site of the original 1734 Ebenezer settlement on land of the M. C. Jaudon family.

January 8, 1976: Guyton IGA Foodliner opens offering supermarket prices with convenience store hours.

July 4, 1976: Lord and Lady Effingham arrive from England to help Effingham celebrate the USA’s Bicentennial.

August 12, 1976: Michael Moore is elected school superintendent. He is youngest at age 25 in Georgia and possibly the nation.

February 15, 1973: Six inches of snow fell over Effingham County.

August 30, 1971: New Effingham Academy opens as a private school.

September 17, 1971: Salzburger Museum opened and dedicated by Georgia Salzburger Society.

November 1971: Doris Flythe becomes first elected woman official in Springfield Council history.  In 1974, she became the first woman mayor in Springfield.

May 23, 1969: Jerusalem Lutheran Church celebrates 200th anniversary.

September 4, 1969: After heavy rains delay schools opening by a week, all Effingham schools open with first year of total desegregation under a court ordered integration plan.

1968: Two Huey helicopters crashed, one in February and one in April, in Effingham killing a total of five Hunter Army Airfield crew members.

June 7, 1963: Sky View Drive in Theatre opened first color movies, “Girls, Girls, Girls” with Elvis Presley and “Fancy Pants” with Lucille Ball.

October 4, 1961: Walt’s Furniture Store holds open house for the public to view a new marvel, Color Television during World Series games.

January 15, 1960: Sheriff H. O. Carr announces retirement after 26 years.

June 28, 1959: Effingham’s worst disaster occurred in Meldrim when a Seaboard Railway train derailed into the Ogeechee River killing 26.

January 18, 1957: Herald ownership changes from Mr. F. H. Shearouse to Mr. and Mrs. W. O. Lee.

July 13, 1956: Open house for Dr. Ray Webb’s new clinic. He is a young doctor who has come home to practice.

March 1955: Mrs. Julia Rogers is the first lady to serve as jury foreman and Mrs. Thelma Edwards Lowe is the first female bailiff.

1955: County wide polio vaccinations begin by the Health Department.

October 22, 1954: Mrs. Rosabell Webb, a supply teacher at Effingham Academy becomes the first woman ever to be summoned for jury duty in the county.

July 3, 1953: In a shocking vote, Effingham citizens vote for a controversial state law to require livestock to be fenced.

February 13, 1953: Sky-Vu Drive in to open near Springfield in April with admission of $.50.

January 11, 1952: The Mars Theatre in Springfield announces the controversial film “The Story of Bob and Sally” on January 17. Because of the shows “realistic and true to life portrayals” grammar school children are not allowed and men and women are not allowed to view the film together and are given separate showings.

October 27, 1950: Cheeta, the star of many Tarzan movies appears at the Mars Theatre for three performances on Oct. 31.

July 4, 1950: Guyton revived its annual 4th of July picnic with bar-b-que, bands, games, baseball and more than 2000 attending.

This was compiled by Susan Exley of Historic Effingham Society. If you have photos, comments or information to share, contact Susan Exley at 754-6681 or email her at: susanexley@historiceffinghamsociety.org