Barnesville council votes to rename Twelfth Street for Annie M. Harris amid mixed resident reaction

The Barnesville City Council voted to rename Twelfth Street “Annie M. Harris Drive,” concluding months of public comment and debate over whether changing the street name would honor the city’s first African American female council member or erase neighborhood history.

Supporters said the renaming recognizes Ms. Annie Mae Harris’s long public service. “It’s not about the street, it’s about memorializing my mother’s service,” said Devy Harris, one of Ms. Harris’s children, thanking the council for the dedication. Mayor Pro Tem Christopher Hightower framed the change as an act of recognition following an earlier unofficial dedication and sign on Ms. Harris’s birthday.

Opponents told the council the process had shortcomings. Pamela Smith, a resident who said she owns property on Twelfth Street, told the council she and other property owners were not fully consulted and that renaming the entire street would erase long-standing local history. “Some properties have been there since the 1930s,” Smith said, urging a compromise.

Acting City Manager Tim Turner told the council that a survey of 21 addresses found 3 opposed and 6 unreachable; he said only current residents were polled. That survey result and the question of whether property owners beyond current residents should have been consulted were central points of contention during the public hearings.

After discussion, Councilmember Christopher Hightower moved — and Councilmember Sammie Shropshire seconded — a motion to rename Twelfth Street Annie M. Harris Drive; the council recorded the motion as approved. The council also discussed placing a dedication sign if residents preferred retaining the original street name, but the voted motion implemented the full renaming.

The council indicated it would follow up with administrative steps to update signage and records and directed staff to provide residents with information about the change and timing.