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A Brief History of Monticello ? Monticello was designated county seat of Randolph County on December 10, 1808. Randolph County was renamed Jasper County on December 12, 1812 in honor of a Revolutionary War hero, Sargent William Jasper. This county was part of Baldwin County until 1807. Prior to 1805, all of the Baldwin County area was Creek Indian hunting ground. The County Commissioners bought the land that is now Monticello from Issac Weldon who had drawn it in the land lottery of 1807. The sight was selected because of it's hill top setting and an abundance of spring water. The early settlers chose to name the town Monticello in honor of President Thomas Jefferson?s Virginia estate. The city used a grid iron plan and laid out in a circle with a one and one-half mile diameter centered on the middle of the Courthouse square, resulting in approximately 1,200 acres within the city limits.
Cotton was king in Monticello before the Civil War. Jasper County was one of the three largest producers in the state. When the railroad came through in 1887 manufacturing and warehouse buildings were constructed along the line to meet the growing commercial demands. By 1820, Jasper County was fifth in the state in manufacturing industry. In the early 1900?s Jasper County was part of the ?Peach Boom?. While agriculture has always played an important role in the economy, many of the original farms were sold to the U.S. Government and now make up much of the Oconee National Forest. New industries moved to this area during the post World War 11 Economic boom, many related to the timber industry.
(information taken from The History of Jasper County compiled by Jasper County Historical Society)
 From stately homes
 Dogwood lined streets
And beautiful countryside
T he heritage of Monticello is evident
Our charm and quiet easy life
 attract a growing population
The City of Monticello was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. The Historic District is formed by the commercial district in the center with residential neighborhoods radiating outwards. Six of the seven main roads leading to the town square are nearly identical two lane, tree lined streets with houses of varied architectural style. The seventh road is characterized by small lots with equally small houses, sometimes called saddlebag houses, situated a few feet back from the streets. Architectural styles include Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne, Second Empire, Colonial, Neoclassical, Tudor Revival and Craftsman.
There are five cemeteries of historic significance in the city. A cemetery inventory is being done of all cemeteries in Monticello and Jasper County.
Please visit all of our tourism/travel pages - you will agree that there is plenty to see and do in Monticello and Jasper County.... enjoy!
Historic Heartland
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