MURRAY COUNTY HISTORY

    The rich history of the people and places of Murray County has grown and changed with  the State of Georgia.  After being created during the removal of the Cherokee Indians from North Georgia, the farms and plantations of the county relied on the rich farmland to grow cotton and  provide food and income for the people.  The Smith-Lever Act sent the first County Agent to Murray County in 1917, Mr. A. E. Irving followed by Mr. R. L. Vansant, Mr. H. N. Kemp.  The first "Boy's Agriculture Club" (4-H) was organized by Mr. R. F. Whelchel in 1929 and soon after girls were included in the 4-H program.  Mr. J. H. Henderson served the people as County Agent until 1940.  Mr. H. O. Cole Sr. was named county agent in 1951 and served until his sudden death in 1979.  Mr. Cole was noted for his work with 4-H members and community organizations.  
    Early 4-H members concentrated on learning skills to produce larger crops, such as corn and how to preserve what they had grown to feed their families during the cold winter months.  Members were featured on WSB's 4-H show many times over the years and many members have become an important part of local and state programs.  Rhonda Smith was the first National Winner from Murray County in the Breads Project.  State Winners included Dr. David Loughridge in the Wildlife Project  and the 1989 Meats Judging Team.
    During the last twenty years 4-H has grown as the population of Murray County has, from 725 members in 1984 to the 1340 members in 2003.   Members are still involved in traditional programs such as DPA, Judging Teams and Camps.  Recent additions to local activities have included working in the "Relay for Life" and adopting 8 miles of the Conasauga River in the Adopt-A-Stream Program.