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 Monument." The monument is approximately 20 feet tall.

Georgia State Peanut Monument :
Turner County Peanut Monument

In excellent repair, lovingly maintained, the World's Largest Peanut is as fresh as the day it was manufactured. Floodlights surround it; bicycle reflectors are on the tips of the crown on which it sits to catch the light. A plaque on its brick base says that the peanut was erected in February, 1975, was designed by A.R. Smith, Jr., and was dedicated to the memory of Nora Lawrence Smith, member of the Georgia Journalism Hall of Fame and co-publisher of the Wiregrass Farmer. It's easy to find, on a service road cul de sac next to I-75.

Georgia Bill

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.

Georgia Law

The law designating the peanut monument located in Turner County on the west side of Interstate Highway 75 within the limits of the City of Ashburn as the official Georgia state peanut monument is found in the Georgia Code, Title 50, Chapter 3, Section 50-3-72.

TITLE 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT
CHAPTER 3 - STATE FLAG, SEAL, AND OTHER SYMBOLS
ARTICLE 3 - OTHER STATE SYMBOLS
§ 50-3-72 - State crop; official state peanut monument
O.C.G.A. 50-3-72 (2010)
50-3-72. State crop; official state peanut monument

(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.