Lavonia

History

The Cherokee people were indigenous to the area in which Lavonia is located. A sophisticated tribe that typically dwelled in cabins by the 18th century, the Cherokee joined with the British during the American Revolution. When the American colonists prevailed, their land was issued as bounty land to those who had fought in the revolution. As a result, European Americans began to move into the Lavonia area during the 1780s. The founding of the town of Lavonia came as the result of the expansion of the railroad in northeast Georgia. A railroad line known as the Elberton-Airline Railroad desired another station further to the north. In a move typical for the time, businessmen in the area determined to build a town around the new railroad station. Upon division of the area into town lots and completion of all necessary legal procedures, the town of Lavonia was incorporated in 1880. The community was named after Lavonia Hammond Jones, the wife of a railroad official.

Geography

Lavonia is located in northeastern Franklin County at (34.436055, -83.106270). A small portion of the town extends southeast into Hart County. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which , or 0.53%, is covered by water. The city lies along Interstate 85, southwest of Greenville, South Carolina, and northeast of Atlanta.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Franklin County High School
  High · Carnesville · 1,048 students · 16.1:1 ratio
• Franklin County Middle School
  Middle · Carnesville · 826 students · 14.5:1 ratio
• Carnesville Elementary School
  Elementary · Carnesville · 703 students · 13:1 ratio
• Lavonia Elementary School
  Elementary · Lavonia · 549 students · 13.4:1 ratio