Rincon, Georgia

The City of Rincon, in the southeast area of Effingham County, was first incorporated as recently as 1927. Even though its incorporation was not that long ago it appears that the earliest settlers came to the area in 1751. But, its existence as a full-fledged community with families and businesses dates back to the late 1800's. The origin and development of Rincon, Georgia really got its start with the coming of the railroad. Around the time of the turn of the century a rail line was built from the Carolinas across the state line at the Savannah River and southward to Savannah. The name of the city is believed to have had its origin from the Spanish or Mexican name "Rincon" after a small but prosperous town in Mexico.

Once the railroad and depot were built a telegraph operator or agent is known to have been on duty as early as about 1895. This opened up the area to communication. With the coming of the railroad and service to Rincon and the combined availability of the "dirt" road (now state Hwy21) between Savannah and Rincon and beyond, and other country roads between farms and the town and outlying other towns, Rincon became a small hive of activity. The surrounding farmers, sawmill operators and the like, who "wagoned" their products, cotton and lumber, to Savannah, now could "wagon" to the Rincon railhead for shipment. They also could receive shipments and travel as rail passengers.

About the time of World War 1 there was a spurt of local activity. Some men were absent in military services, and many locals in and around Rincon commuted daily to work in ship building and other war-related plants in Port Wentworth and Savannah. Soon after the war, new homes were built or completed by new residents and old.

Concerning Rincon GA's early schools there was a grade school that began about 1900 in an old two story building opposite the Lutheran church. A few years later the school was moved further north between 4th and 5th streets into a new two story building that had a steeple bell-tower and bell to signal recess and lunch periods and the opening and closing of school for the day. That building stood and we used for at least 40 years for both grade school and high school. It was originally know as Effingham Institute. Its name was changed in the early 1920's to Rincon High School.

Although Rincon, GA was first incorporated in 1927, as mentioned earlier, by 1929 the corporate government had become inactive. This was partially due to the small population. Sometime later, however, the population began to increase, first gradually and then rapidly. By 1950 the population was 454. By 1955 it was 650 and by 1960 it was 1,057. Times and circumstances having changed, Rincon was reincorporated and organized as the Town of Rincon and the end of 1954. The incorporated limits of Rincon can generally be described as within a circle having a diameter of 2 ½ miles, with the center at the site of the old (now gone) railroad depot.

In approximately 1934, Georgia State Hwy 21 was paved from the Chatham County line in the south northward through Rincon and Springfield and beyond. In about 1939, electric lines were installed and electric power from the Savannah Electric and Power Company came to Rincon replacing private individual small plants. In late 1955, Rincon installed its own city pump, tank, lines and water system, enabling "running water" throughout for the first time. In 1956, the Volunteer Fire Department was organized. Also beginning in that year, many arterials and streets were paved.

Rincon's growth within the past few years has been nothing short of phenomenal. A large number of commercial enterprises have shot up on Hwy 21 on the southern part of the city. Housing sub-divisions are growing throughout the area as more and more families are becoming aware that Rincon is a great place to live. In light of its past and present, Rincon can confidently look forward to a bright future.