Ware County’s bicentennial celebration, held at the Exchange Club Fairgrounds, concluded Sunday, December 15, marking the anniversary of the Georgia General Assembly creating Ware County December 15, 1824. First District Rep. Buddy Carter (left) read a proclamation which was presented in Congress making the bicentennial of Ware County and the sesquincentennial of Waycross part of the public record. Carter also presented a proclamation from the Georgia General Assembly signed by Gov. Brian Kemp. Both proclamations were presented by Carter to Ware County Commissioners (l-r), Sammy Hendricks, Timmy Lucas and Leonard Burse. Carter spoke of his ties to Ware County starting with his wife, Amy Coppage, a former resident of Manor. (Below) Dr. William Clark (left) spoke about the beginnings of Ware County and the importance of the Okefenokee Swamp. Clarence Gooden, retired Executive Vice President of CSX Transportation, gave a short history of the railroad and its importance to Waycross and Ware County.
