Anyone who consistently follows Cobb County Board of Commissioners meetings or Planning Commission hearings is probably aware that chickens can be a controversial topic.
However, before World War II it was accepted that chickens were an important part of Cobb County’s culture and economy.
In 1900, as Cobb residents entered a new century, the county had fewer than 25,000 people, and agriculture dominated its economy.
In fact, prior to the influx of people to work in the Bell Bomber plant during World War II, Cobb was a solidly agricultural county.
So, it should not be surprising that there was little controversy about raising chickens during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
A 1907 Cobb County Poultry Show
The Atlanta Georgian, which became a Hearst newspaper in 1912, ran an article in its February 9, 1907 edition (click here to read the entire article on the Georgia Historic Newspapers website), reporting on a poultry show in Cobb County.
Here’s an excerpt from the article:
The Atlanta Georgian and News: Prize Winners Named at Cobb Poultry Show.
Marietta, Ga., Feb. After a three-day exhibition, the Cobb County Show came to a close with the announcement of prizes. The show was a success in every respect, with more than 1,000 birds being on exhibition. The winners were as follows:
- Robert K. Adams, Marietta: First, second, and third cockerel; fourth pullet; first, fourth hen, and second pen.
- R. W. Whitfield, Smyrna: Second cockerel; first, third, and fifth pullet; first, second, and third hen; first and second pen.
- J. B. Lumpkin, Marietta: Fifth cock; fifth pullet.
- John F. Price, Marietta: First hen.
- Whitfield, Smyrna: Second cockerel; first, second, and third cock; first, second, and third hen; first and second pen.
- Harry N. DuPre, Marietta: First cock; fourth pen.
- H. E. Boynton, Atlanta: First, second, and fifth hen; fourth and fifth pullet.
- Miss Alina Reid, Smyrna: Fifth cockerel; first and third…
Read the full article here
