About Royston, GA

Letter from the Mayor:

Welcome to Royston! We are a population of just under 3000 and no matter what brings you here, you'll find a great sense of community. Let me share a small sampling of what Royston has to offer.

Let's start on Main Street in our historic downtown. You'll find a small-town atmosphere that's friendly, and inviting. Explore our local shops, enjoy amazing baked goods and make sure to stop at the local restaurants while you’re here. Royston is the home of baseballs’ legend Ty Cobb. And we’re proud to have the Ty Cobb Museum here to help tell the story of his family, his career, his achievements, and the awesome contributions he made to our great city and the game of baseball.  

Are you ready for some fun? Make sure to visit the Royston Wellness and Community Park comprised of forty four acres with all kinds of recreational activities – walking trails, disc golf, picnic shelters, playground area, exercise stations, an amphitheater or just pure relaxation. We are three miles for Victoria Bryant State Park and twelve miles from Lake Hartwell.

We are proud to have a great school system, Royston Elementary right in the heart of the community. We are a thriving and safe community providing both departments of police and fire. If you’re looking to start a business or build your dream home here, we have you covered with utilities of natural gas, water, sewer, and sanitation.

As Mayor of Royston, I hope you enjoy your time in Royston. If you're visiting, please come see us again soon! If you’re looking at making Royston your home, we can’t wait to welcome you to our community! Here We Grow!

Sincerely,

Keith Turman, Mayor



History of Royston

The busy little city of Royston is located in Franklin County in the State of Georgia. The land round about is rich, fertile and well developed into a prosperous cattle and farming section.

Sometime in the early 1800's, people passed through this section and found the area very desirable. So it was that Mr. W. Asbury Royston settled here.

Mr. Royston, Mr. Robert Berryman, Angus Johnson, and Jackson Burnette were among the first land owners. Mr. Berryman acquired much land in the area, and it was he who made the first recorded sale of land. The purchaser was Mr. Royston, and the total amount was two acres valued at $2.00 per acre. Those two acres now make up most of the extent of the business section of our town.

Not too long after this purchase, Mr. Royston built his place of business, on the lot where the Royston Drug Store now stands. He also built his home, which wasn't extremely large, on the space now occupied by the Sanders' Motor Company. Beautiful cedar trees lined his walkway to the front door.

Mr. Royston's store held various kinds of merchandise and a man who drove an ox-drawn wagon was kept busy making trips to Athens for supplies.

The Franklin Springs Post Office was moved into his store and became known as "Royston Post Office" in honor of Mr. Royston. So it was that our town got its name.

In 1879 Royston was incorporated and became the center of activity for all the people near and far. The first mayor was Allen Turner, and the men who first helped him to govern our city were: W.  A. Burnette, Epp Bond, W. M. Bowers, and J. B. Burnette. The city Marshal was Tom Mabrey.

(Above are excerpts from an essay written over 50 years ago by Mrs. Sylvia Leard Gaye that won the 1954 Royston High School essay contest. The subject was "The History of Royston.")