Fitzgerald was founded at Swan in 1895 by Mr. Philander H. Fitzgerald, a lawyer, veteran, and publisher of the American Tribune of Indianapolis, as a soldiers’ colony in the South. It was settled by Union veterans who, tired of Northern winters, came from 38 states and 2 territories to this benign and fertile land, which only 30 years before had been deep in enemy territory. In the early 90’s, devastating droughts had impoverished Mid-West farmers, and Georgians had sent trainloads of food to relieve them. Impressed, Mr. Fitzgerald conceived his plan and formed the American Tribune Soldiers’ Colony Company, a non-profit organization. Despite offers from neighboring states, the company chose this site, acquired 50,000 acres of land, and laid out a town. By December, 5,000 colonists had arrived. The next fall, the schools opened with 501 pupils, the first in Georgia to offer free tuition and texts and a nine-month term. On Dec. 2, 1896, Fitzgerald was incorporated and elected officials took charge. With principal streets named to honor great leaders of both armies, and with Confederate veterans joining their former enemies in this unique community endeavor, Fitzgerald has symbolized through the years an enduring unity born of the unfailing respect brave men hold for each other.