The City of Baconton, is the birthplace of the “Paper-Shell” pecan industry in Georgia. It is located in Mitchell County, 16 miles south of Albany along the beautiful pecan lined GA 3 also known as the Historic Dixie Highway Scenic Byway.

Baconton was named for Major Robert James Bacon who came with his wife in 1858, purchasing 4,000 acres of fertile farm land. Major Bacon was an industrialist, director of the Savannah, Florida and Western Rail-road Company, and cotton planter. During the construction of a railroad from Albany, Georgia to Thomasville, Georgia, he gave the right-of-way for railroad to go through his plantation. The engineers located a station on his plantation and without his knowledge named it Baconton in his honor in 1869.

In 1890’s George W. Jackson was one of the earliest and largest pecan growers in the Southwest Georgia. He was also one of the two principal developers of Baconton. He built the largest architectural Victorian era residence in Baconton. Its size, over-all design, detailing, and degree of integrity render it an extraordinary local building. The house is significant in local history architecturally impressive. The Jackson Davis House is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The structure was acquired in 1995 by the City of Baconton and beautifully restored to its former grandeur. Today it serves as the city’s visitors center and municipal offices.