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and 2010 seasons and for baseball during the 2007 season. Lying a few minutes south of Warner Robins is the lovely, historic town of Perry. Founded in 1821, the town is called the "Crossroads of Georgia." Today, tourism is still an important industry in Perry. The Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter has state-of-the-art facilities and a convention center. The fairgrounds hosts hundreds of events each year including the Georgia National Junior Livestock Show and the Georgia National Rodeo. The largest event is the Georgia National Fair, which averages more than 440,000 visitors each year. It's no surprise that in 2010 businessweek.com called it the best place in Georgia to raise kids. And in 2012, CNN's Money Magazine named Warner Robins the seventh most affordable city in the nation. POPULATION: 147,658 (source: quickfacts.census.gov, 2013 estimate) MEDIAN HOUSE VALUE: $135,800 (quickfacts.census.gov, 2008-2012) MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $56,265 (quickfacts.census.gov, 2008- 2012) SALES TAX: 7 percent Robins Regional Chamber of Commerce 1420 Watson Blvd. Warner Robins (478) 922-8585 warner-robins.com Perry Chamber of Commerce 101 Gen. Courtney Hodges Blvd. Perry (478) 987-1234 perrygachamber.com JONES COUNTY Established in 1807, Jones County is one of the oldest counties in Georgia and stretches 395 miles. Clinton was the first county seat and became a boomtown of pioneers in the early 1800s. A large cotton-gin factory boosted the economy and the population explored. During the Civil War, the factory in Griswoldville was contracted to make revolvers for Confederate troops. In 1864, the factories were destroyed by Union troops. Nearly one quarter of the county is covered in the federally owned forests of the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge and the Oconee National Forest. While the northern section of the county is mostly wooded, the southern section is more developed and is where Gray, the county seat, is located. Because of so much wilderness area, hiking, fishing and hunting are popular pastimes for residents and visitors. The 35,000-acre Piedmont Wildlife Refuge is a particular favorite with birdwatchers. Besides Gray, there are several quaint communities and hamlets. Twelve original houses, built between 1808 and 1830, are part of the Old Clinton DID YOU KNOW? In 1845, Dr. Horatio Bowen, the leading doctor in the county, purchased a home in the Old Clinton Historic District. He was also a planter and become one of the largest wine producers in the state. GEORGIA NATIONAL RODEO FEB. 19-22 2015 GNFA.COM Historic District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The houses were built around a central square and depict the influence of New England settlers. Another historic place is the Jarrell Plantation. This state-owned site is an original plantation with 20 historic buildings dating between 1847 and 1945. POPULATION: 28,569 (source: quickfacts.census.gov, 2013 estimate) MEDIAN HOUSE VALUE: $137,000 (source: quickfacts.census.gov, 2008- 2012) MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $53,085 (source: quickfacts.census.gov, 2008-2012) SALES TAX: 7 percent Jones County Chamber of Commerce 161 West Clinton St. Gray (478) 986-1123 jonescounty.org 70 l MACON MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2014