LOCATION
Located
two miles west of Claxton, Georgia.
Hagan is a small town, with an approximate population of 1505. There is a
lot of history in Hagan. Hagan was first settled in 1889 by Isaac C.
Daniel and Marshall A. Smith as a railroad town for the Savannah and Western
Railroad. The original City Platt, dated 1889, showed lot numbers, street
names and even a block entitled Court House Square. Since Marshall A.
Smith gave a portion of the land which became the town, he was given the privilege
of naming it. He chose Hagan which was the maiden name of his wife Susannah
(She was the first wife of Simon Brewton, who died in the Battle of Richmond, in
the civil war. Simon Brewton was the grandson of Nathan
Brewton, one of the original settlers of what was to become Evans County.
In February 1891, the railroad right-of-way was cleared and two sidings were
laid. A depot was build at the corner of Railroad and Tattnall
Street. Hagan was now a full station. The 1890's was the era when
many fine homes were built. In 1892, G. Wesley DeLoach built a two story
house on the corner of Railroad Ave and Strickland Street. The house, now
known as "The Deloach House" is on the National Register of Historic
Places and has many visitors year round. In 1853, the Hagan School was
formed and built on what is now Perkins Mill Rd. In 1895, the Hagan Academy was
built on land given by Mr. M A Smith. The site is now the city playground,
located next to the Hagan Baptist Church. Professor Gilmore, an Englishman, was
in charge and had a large auditorium and two classrooms on each side. The
school closed in the last of the 1940's when it was consolidated with Claxton's
Schools. In 1891, Dr Horace Mooney was the first physician to come to
Hagan. In 1879, Mr. John H. Perkins secured an option on 100 acres of land
southeast of the depot in Hagan to build a feeder mill for Perkins Manufacturing
Company in Augusta. This was the beginning of a growth of diverse industry
in Hagan that would continue n great bounds for 50 years. About 350 men
worked the mill. There was a commissary, where it was said that one could
buy anything from a straight pin to a coffin. Dampier pond, (now known as
Burkhalter Pond) was dammed up for a reservoir for the machines and an Artesian
well was drilled for drinking water. There was also a boarding house of
twelve rooms and fourteen row houses were built for the workers. There was
also a railroad spur which went to the mill. The mill, suffering from the
depression of 1907 and the increased costs of securing raw materials, went into
the hands of receivers in 1910 and partial operation continued until 1912.
In 1912, the mill closed. Hagan was first incorporated in 1906. Mr.
M.A. Smith was the mayor and a new city charter was granted in 1911. In 1948,
when Mr. Harry Willis was mayor, a city well was drilled and water was made
available to all residents. A short time later, street lights were
installed. 
Hagan has a
wonderful and full history. Hagan has a wonderful and full history. Today, there are over 5
miles of paved streets and roads within the city limits, There is a city
hall, a Police station, and a garbage and trash pick-up service. The tax
rate is low and our city owes no indebtedness. The present mayor is Mr.
Vernon Owens. Hagan is a small and quiet town and is a wonderful place to
either start or raise a family. If you like a small town setting, we invite you
to come and see us.
Music playing on this page is "Georgia", sequenced by Don Carroll.
For Questions or comments contact Don Carroll.
(Mail to: Donniec@ix.netcom.com )
