About The Project

In the Spring of 2010, a Facebook group was begun for "ATCO, Georgia, The Village" with the hope that interest would be garnered in maintaining and capturing the history of our Village and its families with stories, photos and memories. In part, the decision to do this was prompted by the unforeseen demolition of our Mill that had stood for decades as a monument to all of our families' hard work and dedicated labor. Its destruction and the uncertainty about the remaining Village had become a very emotional subject for ATCO Kids.

Our success was phenomenal.

Just a short 6 months later, we had 600+ photos that were shared of Village families and places by almost 300 "ATCO Kids," the name the ATCO mill village children have dubbed ourselves. Additionally, these same ATCO Kids have written and submitted many, many stories about growing up and living in the Village.

We have worked so hard, been diligent and have begun remembering and preserving a history others had long since forgotten. We continue to renew old friendships, make new ones, strengthen our bonds and gather family histories of Villagers and the history of the mill. I am humbled and sincerely appreciate the efforts of everyone who has thus far contributed, and I am grateful to those who continue to contribute.

Thank you, ATCO Kids, my friends, for your help with preserving our memories and the history of the mill, our Village, and its families!

~Yvonne, ATCO Kid

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There was, and continues to be, a special bond between the "Village" kids. We roamed the streets all day until it was dark, and no one worried about us. We scooted down Trash Pile Hill and beyond, to the fields of Jackson's dairy to sneak off and spend the day dangling from a cable strung from one side to the other across the Pettit Creek.

Summers were spent at the pool, where lines were long, and everyone got in line early to pay their dimes, and later quarters.

You could set your watch by the Mill whistle in the mornings and afternoons. The Mill "hands" walked to work and back and carried their lunches either in lunch boxes or brown bags.

The ATCO school lunchroom served only hamburgers and hot dogs while I was there. Each classroom had one tiny bathroom in the back of the room. When it rained the basement held water, and earthworms oozed from the drains.

There were 2 huge, wide staircases on either side of the school leading to the auditorium where we had music.

Remember the playground with all the swings, the merry-go-round, and the HUGE slide underneath the oak tree? Remember milk and egg delivery to your front porch? Jackson's Store? The Park?

Every house had a 'wash bench' made of concrete and pebbles. Great benches..must've weighed 300 lbs. each.

What magic the Trails held!

Take a few minutes and share some of your memories with the rest of us.

We can relive it together. ENJOY!