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History
First Settled in 1758, Liberty County has played an important role in American history ever since the Revolutionary War. Button Gwinnett and Dr. Lyman Hall, early residents of the area, were among the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
One of Georgia's original counties, Liberty County was established on February 5, 1777. The earliest settlers of Liberty County were Puritan farmers from Dorchester, S.C., who moved to the region to grow cotton, tobacco, and rice.
Hinesville, with its population of more than 28,000 is the county's largest city and serves as the County Seat.
Location & Climate
Hinesville is located near Georgia's Atlantic Coast, approximately 45 minutes southwest of historic Savannah off of state road 84 in Liberty County. South of Hinesville, also on Highway 84, one will find the municipalities of Allenhurst and Walthourville. East of Hinesville on 84 is the municipality of Midway and, further to the south on Highway 17, the municipality of Riceboro.
The average summer high temperature for the area is 89.9 degrees with a humidity that often reaches the 90% range. The average low during the summer months is about 71 degrees. There is some relief from the heat along the coast as the ocean breezes cool temperatures and bring much needed rain. August normally has the most rain, averaging 7.46 inches, followed by 6.38 inches in July and 5.66 inches in June. The area also has a long hurricane season, spanning from June through November.
Winters are normally mild with average highs of 61.5 degrees and average lows of 41 degrees. Snow is uncommon to the area. The last measurable snow to fall on the area was a record 3.6 inches on December 24, 1989, giving local residents a rare white Christmas.
Local Government
While the city's operations are handled by the city administrators, policy decisions are made by a five-member council led by the mayor. The council meets at 2 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays at City Hall. Council members are elected by districts. The mayor runs citywide. All serve four-year terms. Hinesville City Hall, located on Martin Luther King Drive, can be reached by calling (912) 876-3564.
Liberty County is served by a seven-member board of commissioners, six of whom are elected by district and one at-large who serves as the chairman. Commissioners serve four-year terms. The county commision's most visible responsibility is maintaining county roads, but its other roles range from planning and zoning decisions to helping oversee the hospital, development authority, and recreation department. The County Commision Courthouse Annex is located at 112 North Main Street and can be reached by calling (912) 876-2164.
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