From its earliest recorded history, Valdosta has been a town on the go. Once amed Troupville after former Governor George Troup, the town, including some uildings, literally picked up and moved from the region of a steamboat landing onthe Withlacoochee River to the rail lines of the Gulf and Atlantic Railroad four miles away. At its new location, the town was called Valdosta, after Governor Troup's estate, Val de Aosta, deriving that name from the Aosta Valley in Italy.

Local tradition holds the translation of Val de Aosta to be vale of beauty and indeed with its traditional Southern landscape of magnolias, pines, camellias, crepe myrtles and azaleas, it is a fitting name. Valdosta is known as "The Azalea City" because of lush blossoming banks of colorful azaleas in the springtime. A driving tour has been mapped out for observation, map available from The Valdosta ourism Authority. (www.valdostatourism.com)

Valdosta is also known as "Winnersville" because of its tradition of excellence in high school and university football. Valdosta State University Blazers and Lowndes High School Vikings brought home championships in the 2007 season and Valdosta High School holds the record for winning the most high school football games in the nation.

Though newly designated as a metropolitan statistical area, Valdosta offers amenities similar to much larger urban areas, among them a vibrant arts community in the downtown featuring the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, The Valdosta Symphony Guild, and Theatre Guild Valdosta. An integral part of cultural life, Valdosta State University presents theatrical and musical productions and welcomes the public to its art gallery.

An abundance of acreage is dedicated to youth sports, hiking and biking trails. Birders, fishers and hunters enjoy access to the Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area, a 13,000 acre wetlands system. Valdosta is a shopper's mecca with nearby Remerton Mill Village, home to quaint specialty shops, Colonial Mall Valdosta, and a variety of restaurants and stores in the downtown community listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The young and young at heart will enjoy Wild Adventures Theme Park, chock full of wild coasters, wild animals, and big name musical entertainment year round at the All Star Amphitheater. Learn more about Valdosta by visiting www.valdostacity.com.

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