Buena Vista ( ) is a city in Marion County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area. The population was 1,585 at the 2020 census, The city is the county seat of Marion County. It is the birthplace of baseball legend Josh Gibson and Medal of Honor recipient Luther H. Story.

History

Buena Vista was first settled in 1818 by settlers from Georgia. A postal office was established in 1837, and it was incorporated as a town. In 1850, the seat of Marion County was transferred to Buena Vista from Tazewell. Buena Vista was incorporated as a city in 1891, and again in 1920. In 1906, a major fire destroyed much of Buena Vista, however it was rebuilt with brick soon after. Following the fire, the town received an influx of European immigrants.

Geography

Buena Vista is in central Marion County in western Georgia. Georgia State Routes 26 and 41 cross in the center of town. SR 26 leads west to Cusseta and southeast to Ellaville, while SR 41 leads north to Geneva and south to Preston. State Route 137 leads northeast to Tazewell and west-northwest to Union.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Buena Vista has a total area of , of which , or 1.68%, are water.<br> 1850-1870 1870-1880<br> 1890-1910 1920-1930<br> 1940 1950 1960<br> 1970 1980 1990<br> 2000 2010

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2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Buena Vista had a population of 1,585. The median age was 37.9 years. 25.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 87.4 males age 18 and over.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 601 households in Buena Vista, of which 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 24.5% were married-couple households, 24.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 47.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 37.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The district has 108 full-time teachers and over 1,686 students.

  • L. K. Moss Primary School
  • Marion County Middle High School

The Marion County School District is in the process of opening a new middle/high school. The structure will sit on 200 acres of land in the middle of the county and is scheduled to open for the 2012–13 school year.

Infrastructure

The city is served by Georgia State Route 26, Georgia State Route 41, and Georgia State Route 137.

Notable people

  • Josh Gibson, Negro leagues baseball player and Hall of Famer
  • Roosevelt Jackson, oldest living Negro leagues baseball player (minor leagues only)
  • Eddie Owens Martin, creator of Pasaquan
  • Luther H. Story, Korean War Medal of Honor recipient

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File:Marion County Courthouse (NRHP) Buena Vista, GA.JPG|The Marion County Courthouse is located in Buena Vista. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 18, 1980.

File:Buena Vista, GA City Hall.JPG|Buena Vista City Hall

File:Buena Vista, GA Post Office (31803).JPG|Buena Vista Post Office (ZIP code: 31803)

File:Marion County, GA Public Library.JPG|Marion County Public Library

File:Josh Gibson Water Tower; Buena Vista, GA.JPG|A water tower in Buena Vista proudly proclaims the town to be the "Home of Josh Gibson". The Hall of Famer was born in Buena Vista on December 21, 1911.

File:Pasaquan (NRHP) Buena Vista, GA.JPG|"Pasaquan" is a seven-acre compound near Buena Vista created by outsider artist Eddie Owens Martin (1908–1986), known as "St. EOM". The site is maintained by the Pasaquan Preservation Society. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 27, 2008.

File:Shiloh-Marion Baptist Church and Cemetery (NRHP) Buena Vista, GA.JPG|The Shiloh-Marion Baptist Church and Cemetery, located just south of Buena Vista near the Webster County line, was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 17, 1984.

File:Drane-Stevens House (NRHP) Buena Vista, GA.JPG|The Drane-Stevens House, located in Buena Vista, was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 28, 1999.

File:Alfred and Jane Ables House (NRHP) Buena Vista, GA.JPG|The Alfred and Jane Ables House, located in Buena Vista, was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 9, 2002.

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References