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1930s Ball Ground

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If you ever read the minutes of past council meetings, you would realize that not only are the citizens of Ball Ground blessed with a mayor and city council that have proven to be forward-thinking, spending many hours making a long-range plan for the betterment of the city, but that this was true in years past as well. Without the wisdom and forethought of these fine men and women, Ball Ground would not be what it is today.

Two important events took place in Ball Ground in the 1930s. The first was the paving of “Main Street,” known today at Gilmer Ferry/SR 372. Mayor C.T. McWhorter and Council Members M.G. Hendrix, C.W. Groover, J.F. McKinney, A.P. Roberts and B.R. Jones worked with the Georgia State Highway Department to pave what was once a dirt road. August 19, 1930 council meeting minutes reflect the following: “Council authorized the spending not to exceed $1,200.00 for the purpose of hard-surfacing Main Street. The paving is to be done by the Highway Department.” The actual cost of the paving was $1,058.55.

If you have traveled through downtown Ball Ground recently, you likely noticed the road is not in the best condition. Having first been paved in the 1930s and many other times over the years, despite its present condition, it has certainly withstood the test of time.

At the February 1, 1932 council meeting, the subject of a waterworks system for the town was brought up for discussion. Messrs. Wagner and Loving of the J.G. McCrary Company were present with plans and estimates for council review. A resolution was unanimously passed stating that the mayor and council were in favor of calling for an election for the purpose of deciding the question of a bond issue for waterworks in said town. While there is no record that an election was held, a petition was circulated. A petition bearing the names of the majority of Ball Ground’s residential and business property owners was filed with the clerk of council, pledging cooperation to the authorities in their movement to provide a waterworks system, and to the end that the proposed system, if installed, may be self-sustaining from the revenues derived therefrom.

Discussions continued for several months before council approved to submit an application to the Federal Reconstruction Finance Corporation to secure funding in the amount of $19,000.00 to construct a water system. Like Main Street, the Ball Ground water system is still meeting the needs of residents. And like the road, the number of residents who rely on the system has grown over the years. One thing that hasn’t changed is the quality of Ball Ground’s water. The water comes from a well approximately 450 feet deep, and the water it produces is second to none.

Being a mayor or council member is a most rewarding job. You make decisions that are in the best interest of fellow residents today and for future generations to come. Life is a journey with no end, and you can only look and plan for the road that lies ahead.

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About the author

Karen Jordan

Karen Jordan

Karen Jordan
Karen Jordan is the city clerk for Ball Ground. 215 Valley Street, Ball Ground. 770-735-2123. CityOfBallGround.com
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