In 1824 the Georgia General Assembly granted a charter to Houston County Academy of Perry, and in 1825 the first academy was built on this site by Thomas Justice at a cost of $999. In 1826 the first Sabbath School was organized in this Academy and was a Union School for all denominations. In 1950 an armory was built on the site and named for General Courtney Hodges. The building is currently serving as the Perry Events Center, and a beautiful iron horse on the front lawn offers excellent photo opportunities.