Crawford

Alan Erwin is sworn in as the mayor of Crawford earlier this month. He took over Seavy O’Neal, who didn’t run for reelection last year. (Submitted Photo)

Alan Erwin is sworn in as the mayor of Crawford earlier this month. He took over Seavy O’Neal, who didn’t run for reelection last year. (Submitted Photo)

Oglethorpe County mayors prioritize clean cities for 2026

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
A clean city is the priority for Crawford Mayor Alan Erwin in 2026.  “We just want to get our city back up to par, cleaned up, and well maintained to where people that live in the city of Crawford are proud of their surroundings, as well as myself,” he said.
The monks walk through Oglethorpe County on Sunday afternoon. (Photo/Steven Colquitt)

The monks walk through Oglethorpe County on Sunday afternoon. (Photo/Steven Colquitt)

Monks walk for peace

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Wingate Downs received a surprise call Saturday from the group of Buddhist monks walking from Texas to Washington. They needed a place to stay that night after traveling from Oconee County. He jumped at the chance.
Maxeys leadership includes (from left) city council members Carrie Hayes, Carrie Hyatt, Danny Gorman, Mayor Edward Toledano, Shirley Callahan, Doug Miller and city clerk Jenny Yearwood-Parker. The city is adding online bill pay for water bills next month. (Photo/Ansley Gavlak)

Maxeys leadership includes (from left) city council members Carrie Hayes, Carrie Hyatt, Danny Gorman, Mayor Edward Toledano, Shirley Callahan, Doug Miller and city clerk Jenny Yearwood-Parker. The city is adding online bill pay for water bills next month. (Photo/Ansley Gavlak)

Lexington denied for rural zone designation

Ansley Gavlak
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Lexington wasn’t one of the seven cities selected for rural zone designation. The Northeast Georgia Regional Commission reviewed and submitted the application on the city’s behalf.
Mary Ann Cox, who lives in Crawford, incorporates her artwork into her seasonal style. This year, she compiled winter and holiday paintings and printed a small booklet to send to loved ones. (Photo/Maia Capuano)

Mary Ann Cox, who lives in Crawford, incorporates her artwork into her seasonal style. This year, she compiled winter and holiday paintings and printed a small booklet to send to loved ones. (Photo/Maia Capuano)

Artist combines love of painting, color with Christmas decorations

Maia Capuano
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Mary Ann Cox uses vintage elements, such as Christmas cards, and handcrafted pieces, such as a holly painting, to decorate for the holidays.   Cox has transformed her home into a merry oasis through her creativity and artistic abilities.
The Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce sign hangs from the Crawford Depot. New “Patriot Bucks” program aims to boost small businesses by rewarding residents for shopping local. (Photo/Ansley Gavlak)

The Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce sign hangs from the Crawford Depot. New “Patriot Bucks” program aims to boost small businesses by rewarding residents for shopping local. (Photo/Ansley Gavlak)

Chamber launches Patriot Bucks to encourage local spending

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Shopping in Oglethorpe County just got easier with the launch of Patriot Bucks. The $10 cards were to be randomly mailed to 250 households this week to encourage local spending.
Alan Erwin, Crawford’s incoming mayor, poses at the Crawford Depot on Nov. 14 2025. Erwin will replace longtime Mayor Seavy O’Neal, who is stepping down, when he takes office Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo/Mia Fishman)

Alan Erwin, Crawford’s incoming mayor, poses at the Crawford Depot on Nov. 14 2025. Erwin will replace longtime Mayor Seavy O’Neal, who is stepping down, when he takes office Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo/Mia Fishman)

Love for Crawford leads Erwin to mayor’s office

Mia Fishman
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
When current Crawford Mayor Seavy O’Neal announced he wouldn’t run for office again after serving for seven years, Alan Erwin told his wife he was ready for the challenge. Crawford City clerk Amy Wall-Lance later called Erwin, who ran unopposed, to let him know “he was in.” “You ready?” she asked.
The upstairs of the factory building was partially insulated for an apartment, and part of it has exposed brick walls and large windows. This is part of the Historic Jefferson Mill property in Crawford that went up for sale in October of 2025 for $1.6 million. (Makenna Reavis/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The upstairs of the factory building was partially insulated for an apartment, and part of it has exposed brick walls and large windows. This is part of the Historic Jefferson Mill property in Crawford that went up for sale in October of 2025 for $1.6 million. (Makenna Reavis/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Historic mill seeks new owner and purpose

Makenna Reavis
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Jefferson Mill in Crawford is full of local history, and Gary Stacy hopes to keep it that way.  The building was built with brick made in Smithonia and was originally powered by a hydroelectric plant built at Watson Mill, giving it deep Oglethorpe County roots.
Crawford City Clerk Amy Wall-Lance (right) discusses the meeting agenda to the city council on Oct. 14. Willie Torres (left), who recently replaced Sandra Sheridan as a council member, and Brenda Butler (middle) listen to Wall-Lance. (Ansley Gavlak/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Crawford City Clerk Amy Wall-Lance (right) discusses the meeting agenda to the city council on Oct. 14. Willie Torres (left), who recently replaced Sandra Sheridan as a council member, and Brenda Butler (middle) listen to Wall-Lance. (Ansley Gavlak/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Crawford to resubmit trail expansion grant

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
CLARIFICATION: Information was incorrect about which company was hired to clear the city streets from overgrown brush and limbs in the Lexington City Council minutes and the Oct. 30, 2025 print edition of The Oglethorpe Echo. The correct information is in the story below.
Chad Tracy, CEO of Patriot Construction, stands by Crawford Village’s first phase of 26 two-bedroom and 2½-bath rental units. These units are expected to be complete in 2-3 weeks. (Grace Burnett/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Chad Tracy, CEO of Patriot Construction, stands by Crawford Village’s first phase of 26 two-bedroom and 2½-bath rental units. These units are expected to be complete in 2-3 weeks. (Grace Burnett/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Phase one of Crawford Village expected to be complete soon

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Phase one of Crawford Village construction, including 26 two-bedroom, 2½-bath rental units, is expected to be complete in approximately 2-3 weeks.  All of Crawford Village, located near the intersection of Bunker Hill Road and Highway 78 and along Wheeler Circle, should be finished by 2030.