LAST YEAR, OCT. 30, 2025
Each fall, visitors to Roger Pierce’s annual Stepback event, just a few miles south of Eatonton, get to witness daily life in rural Georgia much as it was more than 80 years ago.
Stepback offers a look at farm life circa 1940 through a collection of log buildings, antique tools, and live demonstrations — all constructed, curated, or orchestrated by Pierce himself. Now 84, Pierce said he’s hosted the event more than 20 times.
FIVE YEARS AGO, OCT. 28, 2021
With two required public hearings – that provided very little public input – come and gone, the Putnam County Board of Education approved the resolution to begin phasing out the current Putnam County Elementary School site on Washington Street and begin the project of a new school for grades 3-5.
10 YEARS AGO, OCT. 27, 2016
Holding a rattlesnake in his hands while someone is pointing a loaded gun at him may sound like a scene for a reality show, but it’s actually reality for Putnam County resident Craig Smith. Smith is the go-to man in Putnam County for removing and relocating unwanted snakes. His 17-year-old son, Dusty Smith, helps or even goes in his stead when the older Smith is unavailable.
25 YEARS AGO, NOV. 1, 2001
Once again Putnam County High School has produced a national championship dairy judging team, and they are Scotland-bound to compete in the international contest next summer. The team of Daniel Burt, Katie Collis, Rodney Redd and Tricia Watson returned from Kentucky early Sunday morning complete with an honorary police escort.
50 YEARS AGO, OCT. 28, 1976
A local bill that would change the structure of the Eatonton city government will be presented to City Council at the next regular meeting calls for a sevenman council, four voting wards, and after an interim three-year term for three councilmen, four-year terms for the mayor and seven for council members.
75 YEARS AGO, OCT. 25, 1951
Eatonton spooks, including Sylvia, are saving their spasms and pranks from Halloween, when they’ll join other local inhabitants at the gala carnival to be presented at the Elementary School under the sponsorship of the Parent-Teacher Association.
100 YEARS AGO, OCT. 29, 1926
Commissioner H.M. Stanley, who knows conditions in Georgia, talks frankly that Georgia should “live at home,” that is, grow the food her people and her stock consume. He declares: “There is no reason why any farmer in Georgia should buy food supplies.”