Attapulgus was one of the first settlements in Decatur County, Georgia, first known as the Borough of Pleasant Grove until its name changed with the establishment of a post office in 1838, taking a Creek Indian word meaning “Dogwood Grove.” The town was first incorporated in December, 1866. Tobacco was first grown around 1840, shade covering was added around 1890, and the last crop was grown in 1973. Fuller’s Earth, or Attapulgite, was identified around 1890; this unique type of clay is found in only two other areas on earth, Spain and Russia. The railroad was built by here in 1903. Attapulgus became known for its people, schools, churches, and the industries of shade tobacco and fuller’s earth. Its Methodist Church was established in 1830, a Presbyterian Church in 1852, the Second Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in 1878, the Baptist Church in 1928, and a Church of God in 1949. A male academy was chartered in 1838, a female academy in 1853, and public education was enacted in 1870. Masonic Lodge No. 8 was chartered in 1839 and later moved to Bainbridge, and Masonic Lodge No. 225 was chartered in 1858. Citizens from here excelled in the ministry, military, medicine, education, business, and other areas of life.