Register: History and Hotels

Register Between Early History and the Present

Register was originally settled in 1855 and was formerly known as Bengal. The town’s history connects these early milestones with the legacy of a small turpentine community and a largely agricultural character. It also includes development during the railroad era, school history, and the preservation of historic traces. For travelers who choose a destination partly for its history, this offers several specific ways to explore Register rather than a single, all-defining theme.

The legacy of the turpentine community is part of the town’s historical character; its largely agricultural orientation describes another aspect of the place. This makes it possible to distinguish its origins from its present-day character without reducing them to a single trait.

Railroads and Schools

The Register and Glennville Railroad was completed in 1901. As Register grew during the railroad era, four to six passenger trains passed through the town each day. The completion date and the number of trains shed light on two sides of this development: the railroad project’s completion and the scale of passenger service at the time.

The history of local schools can also be understood through two milestones. In 1904, Register School consolidated the rural schools of Atwood, Adabelle, Union, and Sylvester. Register High School opened in 1917. Together, these mark two distinct stages in the history of education: the consolidation of rural schools and the later opening of the high school.

Buildings and Historic Preservation

Buildings that once served public functions are also part of the town’s historic heritage. The Historic Mill Creek Schoolhouse formerly housed Register’s city hall; after a fire in 2017, City Hall was rebuilt in 2018. The City Drug Store formerly housed Register’s community center. These examples link a historic schoolhouse and a former drug store with municipal uses.

Some buildings that housed Register’s early businesses still stand in town today. Thus, the town’s history includes not only former public uses but also traces of local business life.

The Register Historic District is among the properties in Bulloch County listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The District preserves architectural and cultural heritage in Bulloch County. In 1992, Register began restoration work to preserve important parts of its local history. The District’s listing and the restoration work represent two distinct forms of preservation: formal inclusion on a register and practical efforts to preserve local history.

The dates provide a timeline of the town’s development: the settlement in 1855 was followed by railroad and school history in the early 20th century; restoration work began in 1992. This helps distinguish early development from later preservation efforts.

Practical Information

Free parking is available when visiting Register. If specific parking conditions are important for your plans, check local conditions before your visit.

Visitors staying in or visiting Register can also enjoy everything Statesboro has to offer.

Discover more destinations: Statesboro.

For the broader travel overview: Bulloch.