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Valdosta - Georgia's Azalea City
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Valdosta is Georgia's Azalea City. Many years ago, then parks superintendent, R. J. Drexel, planted azaleas along cty streets, on government property, and on church grounds. Mr. Drexel also give azaleas to local citizens to plant. Today, the city has an abundance of flowering azaleas that bloom during the spring and summer seasons and Drexel park is a tribute to the former parks superintendent's contribution. There is also an abundance of azalea gardens. The Garden Club uses azalea liners to fund the Crescent, home of the Garden Club.
Valdosta, known for the friendliness of its people, is listed as one of six US cities selected as Best of the Road for friendliness, by USA Today and Rand McNally. Valdosta is as
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proud of its small town Southern hospitality as it is of the abundance of azaleas. Peach State Theater, Georgia's official theater is located in Valdosta on the campus of Valdosta State University. Moody Air Force Base, home of the 34th Rescue Wind, is located in Valdosta.
Valdosta has four historic districts on the National Register Districts: Brookwood North, Downtown, Fairview, and Patterson Street. The historic Downtown district is a place to work, shop, dine and now live. Downtown is home to professional offices, retail shops, privately owned eateries, some of the area's oldest churches and lofts and apartments above storefronts. Fairview is a village that predates the city's incorporation. This district is characterized by developments from 1840-1860, Victorian homes from the late 1890s, and developments from the Prairie and Craftsman period (1910-1920).
Valdosta serves as a metro center for smaller surrounding areas in Southwest Georgia. Quitman, in Brooks County has one of the largest National Historic Districts. Hahira, eleven miles north of Valdosta in Lowndes County is the home of the annual River Run Equestrian Ride as well as the Honey Bee Festival. Lake Park, also in Lowndes County 14 miles south of Valdosta is the location of Wild Adventures Theme Park. Located on I-75, Lake Park is also a hot shopping destination. Remerton community was created to serve the needs of workers at Strickland Cotton Mills and later incorporated as a textile mill town. Remerton Mill Village features mill houses that have restored and converted into quaint local shops offering crafts, home furnishings, boutiques and consignments.
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