Putnam County, Georgia
Putnam County is a Piedmont county in central Georgia with an estimated population of approximately 22,000 residents. Created in 1807 from portions of Baldwin County, the county was named after Israel Putnam, a general in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. The county seat is the city of Eatonton, which holds a distinguished place in American literary history as the birthplace of Joel Chandler Harris, author of the Uncle Remus stories, and Alice Walker, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "The Color Purple." Putnam County's combination of literary heritage, Lake Oconee resort development, and rural Piedmont landscapes gives it a distinctive character among central Georgia counties.
Geography and Physical Setting
Putnam County encompasses approximately 344 square miles of rolling Piedmont terrain. The most significant geographic feature is Lake Oconee, the large Georgia Power reservoir that covers portions of the county's eastern border. Lake Oconee, impounded on the Oconee River, has approximately 374 miles of shoreline and has driven substantial residential and resort development in Putnam County and neighboring counties. The Oconee National Forest extends into portions of the county, providing public lands for hunting, hiking, and wildlife management. The landscape beyond the lake consists of rolling hills, mixed forests, pastures, and creek valleys characteristic of the Georgia Piedmont. Elevations range from approximately 350 to 700 feet above sea level.
Government and Public Services
Putnam County is governed by a Board of Commissioners that administers county operations, public works, and service delivery. The county courthouse in Eatonton serves as the judicial and administrative center. The Putnam County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement. Public education is administered by the Putnam County School System. The county participates in the Central Georgia Regional Commission for planning and economic development coordination. The presence of Lake Oconee has required county attention to shoreline development regulations, water quality management, and services for the lakefront population.
Economy
Putnam County's economy has been significantly shaped by Lake Oconee and the resort and residential development along its shores. The Reynolds Lake Oconee resort community, featuring multiple golf courses, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge, and extensive residential development, has created a hospitality, construction, and service economy that provides significant employment and tax revenue. Tourism and recreation related to the lake attract visitors year-round. Beyond the lake economy, agriculture remains present with cattle, timber, and hay as principal products. Eatonton's literary heritage draws cultural tourists, with the Uncle Remus Museum, the Alice Walker Driving Trail, and related attractions. Manufacturing, government services, and education provide additional employment. The Georgia Writers Museum in Eatonton celebrates the state's broader literary tradition.
Key Communities
Eatonton — The county seat and largest city with a population of approximately 6,700. Eatonton's downtown area features the county courthouse, local businesses, and cultural attractions including the Uncle Remus Museum and connections to the literary legacy of Joel Chandler Harris and Alice Walker. The city serves as the governmental and cultural center of Putnam County.
Lake Oconee Communities — The shoreline of Lake Oconee in eastern Putnam County includes Reynolds Lake Oconee (formerly Reynolds Plantation), Harbor Club, and other planned communities that have attracted retirees, second-home owners, and year-round residents seeking lakefront living and golf resort amenities.
Crooked Creek — A small community in the Oconee National Forest area, representing the more rural and forested character of western Putnam County.