History

Dougherty County was created in 1853 from part of Baker County. Georgia's 102nd county was named for Charles Dougherty of Athens, a judge of the Western Circuit and a popular advocate of state rights.

Albany has several sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Among them are St. Teresa's Catholic Church, built in 1859 and the oldest Catholic Church in continuous use in Georgia, and Heritage Plaza, a collection of historic buildings and educational facilities.

Points of Interest

Radium Springs is located within the county just south of Albany. The springs are the largest in Georgia, discharging 70,000 gallons of 68 degree water each minute. The springs received its current name in 1925 when the spring water tested was found to contain traces of radium isotopes. During the 1920s a club casino was operated on the banks of the springs.

Dougherty County, which has more pecan trees than any other county in the nation, is a strong contributor to south Georgia's claim as the pecan capital of the world.

Dougherty and Lee counties share Chehaw Wild Animal Park, a 100-acre wildlife preserve where native and exotic animals move about freely in natural habitats.

The Flint RiverQuarium is an amazing 175,0000-gallon 22-foot deep Blue Hole Spring. This interactive museum showcases Southwest Georgia's underwater world with more than 100 kinds of fish, turtles, alligators, snapping turtles, and other river creatures.

Notable Citizens

Some notable Albany natives include naturalist Jim Fowler and former major league baseball player Ray Knight. LPGA great Nancy Lopez also makes her home in Albany.

Dougherty County was also home to Alice Coachman, the first African American woman to win an Olympic gold medal. Coachman, who grew up in Albany, won the high jump competition in 1948.

Higher Education

Albany State University, Albany Technical College, and Darton College

Annual Events

Annual events in Albany and Dougherty County include the Flint River Fall Festival in October and the Celebrity Quail Hunt in February.

Albany Symphony musician

Quail Hunting