"Representative of railroad towns in the late 19th century, Metcalfe developed as a center for commerce and trade of timber and agricultural products. As soon as the Thomasville and Augusta Railroad Company announced in 1887 that it would build a railroad from Thomasville, GA to Monticello, FL, the settlement burst forth from the landscape at the mid-point of the route. With tracks laid and the yellow frame depot built, the first train arrived at the station on August 24, 1888; already booming and bustling, the town had an academy, several stores, a church, depot, and numerous residences. Named for Dr. John T. Metcalfe, a wealthy New Yorker who spent his winters in Thomas County and a tireless promoter of the area’s resources, Metcalfe continued to grow into the early 20th century. During the latter half of the century, the once vibrant town faded with neglect. Led by the Metcalfe Heritage Society, a group of passionate philanthropists, and the Metcalfe Community Association, the town experienced a remarkable renaissance following its 2009 designation as a “Place in Peril” by The Georgia Trust. *Erected in 2020 by the Metcalfe Heritage Society and Thomasville Landmarks in honor of Theresa Brown."
