Around the turn of the century, new businesses in Statesboro included stores and banks built along North, East, South, and West Main streets. In 1908, Statesboro led the world in sales of long-staple Sea Island Cotton, a specialty of the Low Country. Mechanization of agriculture decreased the need for some farm labor. After the boll weevil destroyed the cotton crop in the 1930s, farmers shifted to tobacco. The insect had invaded the South from the west, disrupting cotton cultivation throughout the region. By 1953, however, more than 20 million pounds of tobacco passed through warehouses in Statesboro, then the largest market of the "Bright Tobacco Belt" spanning Georgia and Florida.
around the turn of the century new businesses in statesboro included stores and banks built along north east south and west main streets in 1908 statesboro led the world in sales of long-staple sea island cotton a specialty of the low country mechanization of agriculture decreased the need for some farm labor after the boll weevil destroyed the cotton crop in the 1930s farmers shifted to tobacco the insect had invaded the south from the west disrupting cotton cultivation throughout the region by 1953 however more than 20 million pounds of tobacco passed through warehouses in statesboro then the largest market of the "bright tobacco belt" spanning georgia and florida