Georgia State Peanut Monument

Turner County Peanut Monument

Turner County

Adopted in 1998

At one time, peanuts were the number one cash crop in Georgia and were largely responsible for keeping many Turner County families fed. In honor of the importance of the peanut, one of Ashburn's citizens erected what some call the "World's Largest Peanut." The monument is approximately 20 feet tall.

Georgia Code, Title 50, Chapter 3
50-3-72.
(a) The peanut is designated as the official Georgia state crop.
(b) The peanut monument located in Turner County on the west side of Interstate Highway 75 within the limits of the City of Ashburn is designated the official state peanut monument.

 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT
 
To amend Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state symbols, so as to provide that the official state peanut monument shall be a certain peanut sculpture in Turner County; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
 
WHEREAS, the peanut is Georgia's most important cash crop, producing millions of dollars of income, greatly enhancing the state's economy; and
WHEREAS, in Turner County, Georgia, on the west side of Interstate 75 and within the city limits of the City of Ashburn, a monumental peanut towers over passing motorists as a tribute to this crop's importance to this state; and
WHEREAS, in 1974, with the assistance of a bequest from Nora Lawrence Smith and contributions by Gold Kist, Inc., and the Georgia Commodity Commission on Peanuts with the assistance of Robert Davis and John R. Rogers, directors of the Turner County Chamber of Commerce, the structure took shape, a giant peanut mounted on a brick and mortar base rising 40 feet and measuring over 12 feet in circumference; it was dedicated at a ceremony on February 17, 1974; and
 WHEREAS, the dedication displayed in a plaque reads as follows:
 
"DEDICATION"
 
This monument to the peanut, Turner County's most important agricultural product, is dedicated to the memory of Nora Lawrence Smith, December 25, 1886 - July 17, 1971. Member, Georgia Journalism's Hall of Fame, Editor and Co-Publisher of the Wiregrass Farmer, Turner County's Award Winning Newspaper and an untiring supporter of Turner County and its agricultural economy.
 
Architect:   A. R. Smith, Jr.
Builders:     W. E. Walker/Spell Sign Company
Donors:      Georgia Agricultural Commodity
                Commission for Peanuts, Gold Kist,
                Inc., Estate of Nora Lawrence Smith.
 
Sponsor:   Turner County Chamber of Commerce
               W. C. Youngblood, President
 
Monument Committee
              John R. Rogers, Chairman
              H. C. Barber, Jr.
              John Kovac
              Charles B. Perry
              Dan Raines
              Marvin D. Raines
 
                          February 15, 1975"; and
 
 WHEREAS, while the monument was for several years blocked from view of the highway by vegetation, and it deteriorated in condition, the obscuring vegetation has now been removed with the assistance of the House of Representatives and the peanut monument has been refurbished and lighted, and the monument, which has been recognized as the world's largest  peanut, proudly stands sentinel over the interstate highway proclaiming to the world that the peanut is King in Georgia; and
WHEREAS, in 1993, the Georgia House of Representatives and the Senate each passed a resolution declaring the Turner County peanut monument as the official state peanut monument, and it is only fitting that the declaration of those bodies be memorialized in legislation.
 
 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
 GEORGIA:
 
SECTION 1.
 
Article 3 of Chapter 50 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to state symbols, is amended by striking in its entirety Code Section 50-3-72, relating to the official state crop, and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
 
 "50-3-72.
 (a) The peanut is designated as the official Georgia state crop.
(b) The peanut monument located in Turner County on the west side of Interstate Highway 75 within the limits of the City of Ashburn is designated the official state peanut monument."
 
SECTION 2.
 
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.