Our History
Founders and Stewards
Joseph L. Harris (c. 1840s – 1940s)
The Patriarch of the Land A Legacy of Stewardship on Amelia Road.
Biography: Joseph L. Harris stands as a testament to the endurance of Spalding County’s agricultural roots. Born in the mid-19th century (records indicate a Joseph L. Harris born Dec 1845, died June 1943), Harris was more than just a resident; he was a custodian of the land during the county’s most transformative years.
Living through the Reconstruction era and into the 20th century, the Harris family name appears in early lineage records connecting the families of the region to the very soil we fight to protect today. His life spanned nearly a century of local history, witnessing the transition from horse-drawn wagons to the paving of our first major thoroughfares.
Key Contributions:
- Land Stewardship: Preserved large tracts of agricultural land that maintained the rural character of the district.
- Community Roots: His family line connects to several key families in the Spalding/Pike region (including the Akins and Harrises), forming the social backbone of early unincorporated Spalding County.
Why He Matters Today: When we look at the zoning battles for Amelia Road, we are fighting for the land Joseph L. Harris tended. His legacy reminds us that land is not just an “asset” for industrial development, but a heritage to be passed down.
2. Frank D. Bishop
The Civic Builder
Headline: Building Community Through Service.
Biography: While many know the “Bishop” name in Georgia for development and commerce, Frank D. Bishop represents the side of local history focused on community infrastructure and integrity. Research into the Bishop legacy in our region often points to men who understood the value of steady, honest growth rather than rapid industrial exploitation.
Key Principles:
- Accountability: The Bishop name is often associated with holding local institutions to a standard of order and service.
- Neighbors First: A proponent of policies that benefited the resident and the farmer, ensuring that as Spalding County grew, it did not leave its people behind.
Why He Matters Today: In an era of “text amendments” and backroom deals, Frank D. Bishop’s example serves as a call for transparency. We invoke his memory to demand that our current Board of Commissioners acts with the same level of responsibility toward their constituents.