Valdosta, located in Lowndes County in the wiregrass region of southern Georgia, was founded in 1860, when the county seat was moved 4 miles east from Troupville to meet the railroad that would connect the region with Savannah. The town was named for the residence of former governor George Troup, who named his home after the Valle d'Aosta region of northern Italy. The town took some time to begin substantial growth, but after the Sea Island cotton...