The sandy loam allowed the city to become the inland capital for Sea Island cotton. When cotton crops were devastated by the boll weevil in the early 1900s, other crops such as pecans, peanuts, and tobacco rose in popularity. Valdosta's business district experienced tremendous growth from 1890 to the late 1920s, and most of the city's historic public buildings were constructed around this time. The Valdosta Heritage foundation is dedicated to saving and restoring the remaining historic buildings, homes, and districts of the city. The determination of the little town that moved to the railroad is still evident today in the city that is moving into a prosperous future.
Agriculture continues to be a driving force.
Pine trees, now the area's most important raw material, are grown and harvested for a variety of uses. For anyone wishing to see and learn more of Valdosta's history, walking tours of the city are provided. Tours are also available of many of the city's historic homes, such as the Crescent, which serves as the headquarters for the Valdosta Garden Center, and the Barber Pittman House, which was home to the first bottler of Coca-Cola outside of Atlanta and now houses the Chamber of Commerce. Georgia's newest theme park features wild animals, wild rides, and wild shows for the whole family. Try the Safari Adventure to see wild animals in their natural habitats.