Bobby C. Smith

1928-2002

It was my privilege to work with Bobby C. Smith for several years while this Upson Page was growing. Whenever I had a question about the county or anyone in it, Bobby seemed to know the answer! His energy and contributions to all of us via the Thomaston-Upson County Archives as well as these on-line pages live on.

The Upson County Historical Society lost one of its most preeminent members by death on Sunday, February 17. A long term member of our society, Bobby's love for Upson County history resulted in him literally becoming "Mr. Upson County History." He followed in the train of men like T.H. Sharman, G.A. Weaver, John A. Thurston, and Jack Morgan.

His contributions of materials to the Thomaston-Upson County Archives currently numbers over 1,000 individual items, everything from aerial photographs to sanborn maps.

Some of his more recent projects are:
1. He created the 1897 Land Lottery map for the UHS

2. He put together the huge topographic map on the wall in the Archives. He put the map together, drew in the land districts, numbered the land lots, and had started putting in the locations of all the cemeteries.

3. He taught Penny Cliff about tax digests and how they benefit researchers. Because of his work, the tax digests are now a common resource material for genealogists.

4. At his suggestion, the Archives has the wheel chair/chair lift.

5. He was continually making sure that historical materials were not thrown away but saved. His personal collection is the largest accumulation of historical materials in our county.

6. He was always on call of historical or genealogical questions.

7. He constantly reviewed archival records and made suggestions of new materials which should be purchased.

And let us not forget his signal contributions in the restoration of the Auchumpkee Creek Covered Bridge.

Bobbie C's accomplishments cannot be limited to what he himself did, for he constantly inspired others to become engaged in historical endeavors.

Born in Upson County on June 19, 1928, he graduated from R.E. Lee in 1945. He attended Georgia Tech and served in the U.S. Army. For years he served as the building inspector and tax assessor for the City of Thomaston. Numerous times, he served on the Thomaston City Council, and in 1970, he was appointed a member of the Bi-Racial Committee for the integration of the Thomaston Public Schools, filling a vital post in that critical time for public education.