Thomson (originally calledSlashes) is a city in and thecounty seat ofMcDuffie County, Georgia, United States.[4] The population was 6,814 at the 2020 census. Thomson's nickname is "The Camellia City of the South", in honor of the thousands ofcamellia plants throughout the city. Thomson was founded in 1837 as a depot on theGeorgia Railroad. It was renamed in 1853 for railroad officialJohn Edgar Thomson and incorporated February 15, 1854 as a town and in 1870 as a city. It is part of theAugusta – Richmond County Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Thomson, originally called "Slashes", was founded in 1837 as a depot on the Georgia Railroad. It was renamed in 1853 for railroad officialJohn Edgar Thomson.[5] In 1870, Thomson was designated seat of the newly formed McDuffie County. It was incorporated as a town in 1854 and as a city in 1870.[6]
TheOld Rock House, built in 1785, is said to be one of Georgia's oldest documented houses with its original design intact. Built by Thomas Ansley, the home is said to be the home of ancestors of former presidentJimmy Carter. Thomson is also the birthplace ofPopulist leader and two-time presidential candidateThomas E. Watson.
Thomson had aminor league baseball team. An affiliate of theBaltimore Orioles, theThomson Orioles became members of the 1956 six–team theClass D levelGeorgia State League. Playing home games at The Brickyard, Thomson led the league in attendance and qualified for the playoffs. The Georgia State League permanently folded following the 1956 season.[7][8][9]
TheMcDuffie County School District holds pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of four elementary schools, a middle school, a high school and an alternative school.[25] The district has 262 full-time teachers and over 4,312 students.[26]
Rev.Romulus Moore, one of the first African-American legislators in the Georgia State Assembly, and one of the founding fathers of the civil rights movement.
Tom Watson, U.S. senator, Populist Party leader, and renowned orator of the late 19th century. Noted for establishingRural Free Delivery, which set up rural mail service for the nation
Alwyn Cashe, the first African-AmericanMedal of Honor recipientpost-9/11, and only the second Georgia native to receive the award since 1974.
