The Community Of Rex, Georgia

I love the bridge in Rex! Yes, I know that they are working on moving it.  However, I also understand that it will be used as a walking bridge, with I think will help to preserve some of the history of Rex.  Rex, is one of those places that a nice Sunday afternoon drive through can be heart warming to those that grew up in a small town.  It definitely reminds me of home.

There is no longer a Rex, Georgia.

The community of Rex is located just east of Highway 42. It is the home of Rex Mill, a historic grain mill sitting along the banks of Big Cotton Indian Creek. Although the mill has not functioned for decades, many long term residents of the area still remember it being in operation.

Crossing the creek at the mill is an old steel bridge which allows only one-way traffic (controlled by stop lights at each end). Clayton County is in the process of rerouting the roadway and leaving the old bridge open to pedestrian traffic only.

There is little readily available history about Rex, Ga. It is known at in the 1930’s and 1940’s, farmers used to bring their grain by horse pulled carriages from as far away as Lakewood Heights (now part of southeast Atlanta) to be processed at Rex Mill.

James Walter Estes, on of the former Mayors of Rex, was born there in 1882. He was president of the Rex Chair Company and was in the industry, serving as the the president of the Bank of Rex for over 30 years. Estes also served in the Georgia State Senate for two terms.

Today, along with the old mill, several dilapidated wood frame downtown buildings remain. Although the downtown area of Rex has lost its commercial appeal. The residential community has grown by leaps and bounds. Rex is a popular place to live and housing is in good demand. Commercial services are pretty much limited to Highway 42, which runs in a north to south direction paralleling Interstate 675.