While cotton was still huge for Georgia's economy, by the late 19th century, peaches were being marketed as a particularly southern industry. The famous Elberta Peach was established around this time as a Georgian fruit. The peach farmers viewed their craft as a progressive, post-Civil War endeavor.

Georgia is called the Peach State, but the fruit has been part of our history long before there was a Georgia. Franciscan monks introduced peaches to St. Simons and Cumberland Island in the 16th century. Cherokee Indians grew peaches here in the 18th century.