History

Taylor County was created from Macon, Marion and Talbot counties in 1852, the 98th county organized. The county was named after Zachary Taylor, who won a victory at Buena Vista in the Mexican War and later became the 12th President of the United States.

The Tuscaloosa Formation, located in the county, is a sand clay formation that represents the first prominent coastal plains deposits laid.

Butler was named for General William Orlando Butler, another hero of the Mexican War.

Points of Interest

The Wire Road, which ran through Taylor County, was named for the telegraph wire that stretched along it. The road was part of the stage highway from Richmond to New Orleans.

Points of interest in Taylor County include: Beechwood Farm, the home of Confederate General John B. Gordon; and the site of Fort Lawrence, which was established by Colonel Benjamin Hawkins, for whom Hawkinsville was named.

Annual Events

The Crackerland Country Fair is held in the community of Howard each April. Also, a Strawberry Festival is held annually in Reynolds.

Peaches grown in Taylor County

Taylor County Courthouse