Luella is an unincorporated area of southern Henry County between Hampton and Locust Grove that grew up in the 1880s.

At that time, the Georgia Midland and Gulf Railroad built a rail line to move cotton between Macon and McDonough. Luella became one of the new stops. As a busy agricultural center, it had cotton gins, peach packing houses, churches and schools.

In 1920, however, an invader from Mexico, the boll weevil, devastated the county's cotton farming, and nine years later the Great Depression began. Both dampened Luella's growth.

Luella ceased to exist as a city 15 years ago, and now it has just a handful of residents. The only two remaining row crop farms in Henry County, the Strickland and Nutt properties, call Luella home.

But Luella is poised for big growth. Two huge golf course communities are under construction: Heron Bay to the west and Eagle's Brooke to the northeast.

Pam Nutt, a 25-year Luella resident, said in the early days "all you had to worry about was cows in the road." Now Luella's busy four corners -- the intersection of Ga. 155 and Hampton-Locust Grove Road -- is reason for concern because of the accidents, Nutt said.

Improvements are in the pipeline for that intersection, including the installation of a stoplight. Residents also expect a supermarket will be built. A new high school is under construction and an elementary school is planned. Luella's future looks bright.

Heron Bay

& Eagle's Brooke

Golfers might want to pay close attention two communities under construction in southern Henry County.

Heron Bay on the west side of Ga. 155 and Eagle's Brooke on the east side will feature 18-hole courses. Heron Bay's golf course is scheduled to open in late 2004 and Eagle's Brooke in 2005.

Both developments are emphasizing recreation, and golf isn't all they will offer. For example, water parks are planned, with slides, pools and fountains for community residents. In addition, tennis courts, small parks and walking trails will be built.

Eagle's Brooke is set to have 1,100 housing units and Heron Bay 1,670. Buildout periods for both will last several years. Some of Heron Bay's homes will front Ed Cole Reservoir.

Heron Bay is paying special attention to the aging baby boomer population. Approximately 350 of its homes will be low maintenance, targeting seniors, said Brian Davison, a partner with Minerva Properties.

Henry County is building a high school near both developments and plans to build an elementary school.

Prices at Heron Bay will range from the $130,000s to more than $700,000. Eagle's Brooke prices start in the mid-$100,000s and top out at more than $600,000.