Founded in 1891, Hahira– pronounced hay-hi-ra (with a southern drawl for extra emphasis) – became the center of activities when families would come to town for shopping, banking, haircuts, and a bite to eat. Located in Lowndes County, 11 miles from Valdosta, cotton was the main crop until around 1915 when boll weevils spread throughout Southwest Georgia, destroying thousands of acres of cotton and causing financial ruin to most farmers. The strong family farms bounced back, and tobacco became the main crop. Farmers also turned to a “sweeter crop” as the production of honey became a lucrative business. In the 1920s, with the establishment of The Puett Company, Hahira became known as the “Queen Bee Capital,” as this company supplied bees to farms across the U.S. and Canada. Today, tobacco has fallen in production—as it has across the U.S.—and honey has become less of a commodity in Lowndes County. According to the 2015 Georgia Farm Gate Value Report, Lowndes ranks 14th in tobacco production and Clinch and Colquitt counties rank the top producers of honey in Georgia. 46 S G M A G A Z I N E | FA L L 2 0 1 7 B U S I N E S S + C U LT U R E 47 Hahira: Respecting Its Past, Embracing the Future Artist rendering of Hahira Train Depot provided by Altman + Barrett Architects Artist rendering of Hahira Train Depot provided by Altman + Barrett Architects 46 S G M A G A Z I N E | FA L L 2 0 1 7 Part of Hahira’s growth has been attributed to the railroad that provided the primary means of transporting goods including cotton and tobacco. Hahira Mayor Bruce Cain remembers the old train depot on Main Street and the importance of the train stopping in Hahira. “The main part of town was built along the railroad track; it was how we sent and received goods and materials,” Cain said. “The railroad was a big part of this community…it was the interstate of that time.” Trains still run through Hahira; however, the depot was demolished decades ago when trains no longer stopped in Hahira and other small cities along the route. Many years later, former city manager and mayor Perry Leland Clanton helped bring a red caboose to the site where the depot once stood. Today, the caboose serves as a landmark and reminder of the important part the railroad played in Hahira’s history and economic growth. Several years ago, city officials began to discuss ways to bring the train depot back, as part of a new park and outside venue project. “It started as a park project, and then everyone started talking about wanting a train depot first,” said Keith Barrett, principal architect and vice president with Altman + Barrett Architects located in Hahira. “It has become a multi-phase project with the train depot being constructed in phase one and the park, splash fountain, and a veteran wall will come later.” On April 21, 2017, the city broke ground on the train depot project, which Barrett designed to incorporate modern functionality while retaining historical elements. B U S I N E S S + C U LT U R E 47 CULTURE Artist rendering of Hahira Train Depot provided by Altman + Barrett Architects The main part of town was built along the railroad track; it was how we sent and received goods and materials. The railroad was a big part of this community...it was the interstate of that time. – Mayor Bruce Cain Artist rendering of Hahira Train Depot provided by Altman + Barrett Architects Bruce Cain, Mayor of Hahira Keith Barrett, Altman + Barrett Architects