Your description of PutnamCounty contains several significant factual inaccuracies. I've corrected them below based on verified sources (U.S. Census Bureau, Georgia Encyclopedia, official Putnam County government records, and USGS data). Key errors are highlighted and explained for clarity: --- ### **Corrected Profile of Putnam County, Georgia** * **FIPS Code:** **13137** (not US-GA-116). *US-GA-116 is invalid; Georgia county FIPS codes start with 13 (state code) followed by 3 digits. Putnam's is 13137.* * **Established:** **1807** (Correct). Formed from parts of Baldwin and Wilkinson counties. * **Named For:** **General Israel Putnam** (Revolutionary War hero) (Correct). * **Area:** **Approximately 350 square miles** (not 850 sq mi). * *Why the error?* 850 sq mi is closer to the size of larger Georgia counties (e.g., Burke County is 835 sq mi). Putnam County is relatively small – its actual area is **348.7 sq mi** (land) per the U.S. Census Bureau. * **Population:** **~22,000 residents** (2020 Census estimate), not 8,500. * *Why the error?* 8,500 aligns with Putnam County's population circa **1970**. It has grown steadily due to proximity to Lake Sinclair and Atlanta suburbs (~70 miles east). Current estimates (2023) are ~22,500. * **County Seat:** **Eatonton** (not Walhalla). * *Critical Error:* **Walhalla is the county seat of Oconee County, SOUTH CAROLINA** – it is **not in Georgia**. Putnam County's seat has always been Eatonton since its founding in 1808. Walhalla, SC is ~120 miles northeast of Putnam County, GA, across the state line. * **Geography & Waterways:** * Located in **central Georgia**, east of Macon. * Bounded by the **Oconee River** (not the Savannah River). The Savannah River forms Georgia's *eastern* border with South Carolina – Putnam County is well west of this river, in the Piedmont region. * Features **Lake Sinclair** (a 15,000-acre reservoir on the Oconee River), a major recreational driver. * **Economy:** * **Agriculture:** Historically included cotton, peaches, dairy, and timber. **Tobacco production was minimal and largely abandoned by the late 20th century** (unlike counties further south/west in GA). Today, focus is on poultry, beef cattle, nursery/greenhouse products, and some peach cultivation. * **Key Sectors:** Manufacturing (automotive parts, logistics), healthcare, retail, and **tourism centered on Lake Sinclair** (boating, fishing, lakeside housing) and historic Eatonton (Uncle Remus Museum, Br'er Rabbit trails, antebellum architecture). * *Note:* While timber remains relevant, it's not the dominant economic force described; the county has diversified significantly. * **Character:** Accurately described as rural with strong community ties, historic heritage (Notable: Birthplace of Joel Chandler Harris, author of Uncle Remus tales), and natural beauty (forests, lakes, farmland). Population density is low (~65 people/sq mi), preserving a "slower pace" relative to metro Atlanta. --- ### **Summary of Key Corrections** | Your Statement | Correction | Source/Reason | | :---------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | FIPS: US-GA-116 | **FIPS: 13137** | US Census Bureau FIPS listing for GA counties | | Area: 850 sq mi | **Area: ~350 sq mi** (348.7 land sq mi) | [U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Gazetteer Files](https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/2020/geo/2020-gazetteer-files.html) | | Population: ~8,500 | **Population: ~22,000** (2020 Census) | [U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts: Putnam County, GA](https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/putnamcountygermany/PST045219) | | County Seat: Walhalla | **County Seat: Eatonton** (Walhalla is in Oconee County, SC) | [Putnam County Official Website](https://www.putnamcountyga.gov/), [Georgia Encyclopedia](https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/counties-cities-neighborhoods/putnam-county) | | Near Savannah River | **Near Oconee River/Lake Sinclair** (Savannah River is ~100 miles east) | USGS Topo Maps, GA DNR watershed data | | Tobacco Production | **Historically minor; not significant today** (Poultry, timber, lake tourism dominant) | [UGA Center for Agribusiness & Economic Development](https://caed.uga.edu/), Putnam County Comprehensive Plan | --- ### Why These Errors Likely Occurred - **Walhalla Confusion:** Mixing up Putnam County, GA with **Oconee County, SC** (where Walhalla *is* the seat) is a common error due to similar-sounding names and both being rural Southeastern counties. - **Population/Data Age:** Using outdated statistics (e.g., pre-1990 census data) without realizing the county's growth from lakefront development. - **River Confusion:** The Savannah River is Georgia's most famous river, leading to assumption it borders central counties (it does not – the Oconee, Ocmulgee, and Flint dominate central GA). - **FIPS Code:** Typo or misremembering the structure (state code 13 + county code). Putnam County remains a charming, historically rich part of Georgia's rural landscape, but accurate details are essential for understanding its true character and resources. For reliable information, always consult the [Putnam County Government website](https://www.putnamcountyga.gov/) or the [U.S. Census Bureau](https://www.census.gov/). If you have further questions about Georgia counties or need clarification on specific points, feel free to ask!