King Cotton

Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin in 1793 greatly influenced the economic development of the South, including Walton County. Before this invention, processing cotton was so labor intensive that growing the crop was not profitable except in coastal areas. The cotton gin made cotton a very profitable cash crop for small farmers. After acquiring the homestead property in 1836, William Harris grew cotton as his family's cash crop. Every inch of land not needed for subsistence was planted in cotton, and more land was cleared each year for additional production. In 1860, the Harris homestead had 280 improved acres and produced seven 400 lb. bales of ginned cotton.

Georgia · United States