EAST JULIETTE

Glover

EAST JULIETTE (GLOVER) The topography of the land in the section of East Juliette is hilly and rolling.  In about 1825 when the Creek Indians were pushed across the Ocmulgee River, white settlers moved in where the famous Indian trail "Horse-Path" crossed, some settling on the east side in Jones County and some on the west side in Monroe county.  For many years a ferry was used to cross this river, until a toll bridge was built. (Note: Pitt's Ferry listed on early map.)

1895 map shows Juliette.

The towns of Iceburg and Brownsville had sprung up earlier (Monroe Co west side of Ocmulgee near where Falling Creek/Black Creek feed into Ocmulgee) but disappeared as Juliette began to grow with the coming of the East Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia Railroad in 1882. Being split by the Ocmulgee River, the town of Juliette is in Monroe County and East Juliette in Jones County. Iceburg's post office was established July 30, 1879 with Robert M. Williams as postmaster--it was in his store.

It is said that Mike DENNIS erected the first gristmill at Juliette.

East Juliette, located on the Ocmulgee River in northwestern corner of Jones County was first called Glover's Mill until about 1925 when the post offices of Juliette on the west side of the river in Monroe county and Glover's Mill on the west were consolidated. Charles E. Redding was the first postmaster in Jan 8, 1883.

It was when the Southern railroad was built that the little settlement became known as Juliette, and tradition says that the name was in honor of the first white woman to cross the river to make her home on the west side. Another story states that someone suggested that the two settlements, one on the east side and one on the west side be known as Romeo and Juliette.
Probably the actual name came from the engineer who was building the railroad and called it Juliette for his daughter, Juliette McCracken. MaCracken Street is the name of the main street running through Juliette today.

Photo contributed by MaeBell Napier

The depot owned by the Southern Railroad was built soon after the railroad came through. For many years it did a large shipping business with the Juliette Mill and many cotton growers. Some of the agents were Lon Pitts, E.M. Wililams, O.b. Ingram, Roscoe C. Dickey, J.M. Jackson, Kirby Edwards, M.B. Bridges and Johnnie Harkness.
Photo contributed by MaeBell Napier

Joe SMITH, a native and builder, established the Juliette Milling Company Gristmill powered by the river.   In 1872 Nathaniel GLOVER bought a mill from Smith, and set up a sawmill and cut lumber to build a store. Later he cut, molded and burned the brick with which to build the factory.  In 1898, a log dam was constructed on the river to furnish power with which to run the cotton textile mill and a gin.

NOTE: Nathaniel S. Glover was Sheriff in April 19, 1841. See Deeds.

After Nat GLOVER's death, his two sons came into possession of the property. These sons were Jack and Dr. W.P. GLOVER. (
John "Jack" Jackson Glover, born January 17, 1849, died August 9, 1883, married Sarah Medora Middlebrooks, b. December 13, 1852)
Jack was drowned and Dr. W.P. GLOVER became owner and controlled the entire estate.  Dr. GLOVER gave up his practice to supervise the mill which was more profitable.  He was a shrewd businessman and accumulated a fortune; however he was outwitted by a business deal and lost controlling interest in the businesses.  He sold out and the mill fell into other hands.

The old gristmill was torn down in 1904 and a new one built. In 1926 the wooden gristmill burned and was replaced in 1927 by the present concrete structure. It was the world's largest water powered gristmill. The gristmill leased its operation to Dixie Lily Milling Company and then to Martha White Mills, and later ceased all operations in 1957.
The Macon News published a photo of "Oldest Employees" - Juliette Milling company." D.H. Gibson, who has worked for the Juliette Mills for 20 years. He holds the place of ginner. John Usery, rock dresser, in the employ of the company for over 25 years."

The wooden dam that was first built was replaced by the present concrete structure in 1921. In 1907 the Milling company built the firt bridge across the river which was the only bridge over the Ocmulgee River for many miles. Other towns had Ferries, Juliette had a bridge. It was only wide enough for one lane of traffic and the fee was $.05 for wlaking and $.10 for a wagon or automobile. The old bridge was a toll bridge until 1931 and was replaced by the new bridge in 1971. 
Photo contributed by MaeBell Napier

In 1898 a church was organized and a building erected to serve as a meetinghouse and a school house.  It was thus used until 1915 or 1916 when it burned.   Then a separate school credited to John N. BIRCH of the Juliette Milling Co. was built and playgound equipment installed.  J. Neville BIRCH followed in the footsteps of his father, by helping in the making of a new school in 1939.  Across from the old school, an interdenominational church was built by the Juliette Milling Co.  It is used mostly by the Missionary Baptists and Primitive Baptists. Ephesus Primitive Baptists (1895),  Rev. MINTER served the church for 20 years. Elder E.J. MADDOX of Chester served as a Primitive Baptist preacher for 18 years. Three Negro churches: Springhill Baptist Church, St. Paul Methodist Church, and St. Peters Rock Baptist Church.

Photo contributed by MaeBell Napier

The first Juliette school was built near the existing Juliette Methodist Church around 1900 and burned in 1907. It was rebuilt. Some of the teachers wer: Misses Kittie Taylor, Maude McGee, Fannie Gibson, Pearl Sears, Bessie Glasgow, Mamie Wililamson, Janie Mae Smith, Ophelia Carolyn Holland, Kate Smith, Mary Lou Webb, ruth McElroy, Sue Smith, Ruth Harrison and Lillian Harrison. The school was closed in 1943 and from that time on the local kids rode the bus to forsyth.

East juliette had its own school complete with a gymnasium that run through the ninth grade from there they rode the bus to Gray, which is the county seat of Jones co.

The population of East Juliette is about 400 (c1957).  On the west side of the river in Monroe county, about 250.  This has been a rather isolated community, but now has two paved roads leading out and is easily accessible.

 "Fried Green Tomatoes" movie was filmed at the Whistle Stop Cafe in Juliette (Monroe Co) in 1991

Juliette, Georgia
Monroe County
By Dianne Middlebrooks  [email protected]

The sleepy little town of Juliette was created in 1882, formally known as Brownsville and Iceburg.  The railroad, then East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia is now Southern Railroad. Southern Railroad built the depot that handled a "large shipping business for many years with the Juliette Mill and the many cotton growers".  Juliette was named for Juliette McCracken, supposedly a relative of the engineer who supervised the grading and laying of the railroad.  The first post office was established at Iceburg in 1879; was moved to Juliette in 1883.

Brownsville Methodist Church probably got its name from the community of Brownville, now known as Juliette.  The cemetery is the only reminder of long ago. The fire station in Juliette is in the Middlebrooks District named for the Middlebrooks family "who were large landowners" in 1882.

The main industry in Juliette was the "great" grist mill. Joe Smith owned the mill who gave it to his sons.  Dr. W. P. Glover was the next buyer around 1890. (John Jackson) Jack's father, Nathaniel "Nat" Glover, recognized the value of the power of the Ocmulgee River in Juliette, Georgia, so he bought Smith's Mill for Jack to operate.  This was a large two story mill with machinery for grinding corn and wheat. One mill was on the Monroe County side of the river and the other mill was on the Jones County side.  Jack moved in before 1883 to take possession of the mills. He was working very hard one day when by accident he fell into the river and lost his life. He died August 9, 1883. Upon the death of Jack Glover, Dr. W. P. (Washington Pierce) Glover, brother of Jack bought the Mill in 1890. The Mill became known as Juliette Milling & Glover Manufacturing Company until Dr. Glover sold his interest in the Mill.  The new name was Juliette Milling Company.  The old mill was torn down in 1904 and a new one was built. The new mill burned in 1926 and was rebuilt in 1927 with the present structure and steel.  The mill started operation in March of 1927 and closed in 1957.

In 1907, the Juliette Milling & Glover Manufacturing Company built the Juliette Toll Bridge replacing the Glover or Smith Ferry.  This bridge was made free in 1942 and a newer bridge was built in 1971.  All the bridges built were over the Ocmulgee River.

East Juliette is in Jones County and was incorporated in 1924.  This town was originally a railroad settlement on the opposite side of Ocmulgee River from Juliette.  East Juliette was at one time known as Glovers after Dr. W. P. Glover who inherited the property here.

(W. P.) Washington Pierce Glover, M. D., born March 7, 1853, died December 12, 1876, Jasper County, Georgia, married Mary Leila Middlebrooks, born August 20, 1855

Source: Monroe County, Georgia A History. (1979). Monroe County Historical Society, Inc. Forsyth, Georgia Middlebrooks, Dianne. Middlebrooks researcher
Source: Used with Permission
"History of Jones Co., Ga" by Carolyn White Williams
Written by Alline Jarrell

Copyright: Virginia Crilley 2000
Web Master: Virginia Crilley 2000
Eileen B. McAdams 2009