Petersburg, Georgia, Elbert County: Once a thriving hub of commerce and trade, Petersburg, Georgia, now reflects the transient nature of human endeavors. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Elbert County
Zip Code: Not available.
Latitude / Longitude: Approximately 33.8575° N, 82.6153° W
Elevation: 371 feet (113 meters)
Time Zone: Eastern Time Zone (EST)
Established: 1786
Disestablished: By the 1820s
Comments: Dionysius Oliver founded Petersburg in 1786 as a trading town at the confluence of the Broad and Savannah Rivers. Due to its strategic location, it quickly became an important commercial center, especially in the cotton trade.
At its peak, the town had more than 500 residents and featured various businesses, including a tobacco inspection and warehousing facility.
Remains: Petersburg is largely underwater today due to the mid-20th-century creation of the Clark Hill Reservoir (now known as Lake Strom Thurmond). Some town remnants, such as foundations and stone structures, can still be seen during drought or low water levels.
Current Status: Ghost town
Remarks: Despite its disappearance beneath the waters of Lake Strom Thurmond, Petersburg remains a point of historical interest. The town’s story reminds us of the economic and environmental changes that can dramatically alter the landscape and destiny of communities.
Researchers and history enthusiasts occasionally visit the area, especially when water levels drop, to see the town’s relics and imagine Petersburg’s once-bustling life.
