When it was incorporated in 1974, it had a government entirely composed of women; and in 1978 it elected Carrie Kent, the first African-American woman mayor in Georgia history.

Walthourville draws its name from Andrew Walthour, a revolutionary soldier and a physician who established a plantation in the area circa 1795.

"[12] By 1974 the town had an airstrip and an industrial park, and there was some concern the area might be annexed by nearby Hinesville, Georgia.

An attempt to do so by the male leaders of the town some 12 years earlier had failed due in part to "bickering.

[13] But when the approved papers arrived (signed by then-Governor Jimmy Carter[15]) they realized they were required to serve as town government until the first election in December.

Coming as it did at the height of the women's liberation movement, the all-woman government of the town attracted much attention including national coverage by A.P.,[18] UPI,[19] NBC Nightly News with John Chancellor[20][21] and CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite.

In the vicinity of Walthourville across the county line near the intersection of Tibet Highway and Griffin Road lies Tea Grove Plantation, an outdoor collection of historic buildings, vehicles, and farming equipment open to the public.

[28] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.8 square miles (9.8 km2), all land.