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Douglas County, Georgia

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1901 - 4 ft tall stela was found on top of a hilltop shrine near Sweetwater Creek. the carving did not look like Muskogean art. Archaeologists could interpret the art. This Stela is on display in the Sweetwater Creek State Park. [1]

The American Petroglyphic Society determined the art as Taino Arawak which is a guardian deity worshiped near Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The Hernando de Soto Expedition in 1540 referred these taint Arawak and called them “Toa”, a division of the Arecibo, Puerto Rico called “Toasi” or “Tawasee” by the Creeks. They lived in central Alabama in the mid 1700’s.[1]

The Creeks Indians platform mounds and village near the Chattahoochee River is near Sandtown Creek across the river from Six Flags Over Georgia in Douglas County. The Annawakee Mound on Annawakee Creek is also near the Chattahoochee River in Douglas County. Archaeologists feel the building of this mound was after abandoning the Sandtown Creek town mound. This mound is believed to have been about 500 AD to 900 AD. Both Swift Creek and Napier ceramics were uncovered near the Annawakee Mound.[1]


1826 {{Blue|Old Villa Rica (Hixtown) began as when gold was found. By 1829 more gold had been discovered in Georgia and miners in Old Villa Rica moved to the Dahlonega area. The community grew and was established inn 1830 as several hundred miners continued to mine the 19 active mines of Old Villa Rica. Gold lots were selling for $500/acre compared to the normal $2.00/acre land elsewhere. The town was just like the Wild West with horse thieves known as the Pony Club and vigilantes (the Sticks). By 18860 the mines had played out.[2]
Pre-1830's Prior to white settlement, the Creek and Cherokee Indians battled over the area. The US government drew a line (1) mile East of Douglasville so that the Cherokees were to remain north of the line and the Creek Indians to remain on the south. By 1830 the Indians had to give their land East of the Mississippi River to the Federal government..[3]
1838 the American Indians were expelled from Georgia land and move to what is currently Oklahoma, on the "Trail of Tear". Many did not survive the trip.[3]
Douglas County
1860-1883 Georgia Western Railroad, (Pacific Railway Company), started to build its railway from Atlanta to Birmingham Alabama. The Civil War interfered with construction as well as the owners went bankrupt. Finally the railway was completed 1883.began construction on a railroad that would stretch from Atlanta to Birmingham, Alabama. The construction had been delayed owing to the Civil War (1861-65) and the bankruptcy of the original owners. The railroad, which ran through Douglas County, was finally completed in 1883[3]
New Manchester Mill Ruins (Civil War
1861-65 Civil War battle sites are also located in the county. One example is the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company textile factory. [3]
Douglas County did not exist during this Civil War time frame. Douglas area at that time was known as Campbell county. Troops of both sides moved through the area, and both armies to took and used what they could find, affecting the future Douglas County citizens. [4]
Flint Hill Methodist Church at Hwy 5 is the site of 2 confederate burials. [4]
July 3, 4, 1864 state militia and 3rd Texas Cavalry held a trench line against Union forces near a 2-story rock house on Rockhouse Road and Riverside Parkway. The Union forces took Edge’s home, property, stock, and crops. Gen.Sherman ordered Gen. Stoneman and McCook move south to secure the Sandtown Road, by going around the Confederates. Troops crossed the Sweetwater Creek and enter Salt Springs, Georgia (Lithia Springs, Georgia). Gen. Ross and Confederates were pushed back to the river. The New Manchester Manufacturing Company was here with a town of 500 people who worked in the factory, a flour mill, grist mill and 50,000 pound water-powered saw. [4]
July 1864 Since the factory had supplied cloth for tents and sheets to confederates, Gen Stoneman captured the mill and had it destroyed. Many of the mill workers were rounded up by the Union soldiers and sent north. These citizens had to stay in the north and many never returned. The mill was never rebuilt.[4]
July 9, 1864 General Sherman and Union troops invaded Georgia on their March to the Sea and burned the town of New Manchester and the mills. All that is left now are the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company's textile factory.[3][4]
Fall, 1864 The Confederate Army of the Tennessee camped at Dark Corner, Campbell county. General Hood decided to make this area his headquarters. Orders which are historically archived currently were addressed to Dark Corner with the date Sept 30 and Oct 1 1864.[4]
The county was named for two people.
pre-1870’s the Georgia reconstruction legislature named the 201 sq. mi. county in honor of Frederick Douglass, a Civil War-era abolitionist . Thus the county originally had (2) (s’s) in its name. [5][6]
Douglass Co. 1874
1870 From parts of Carroll, Cherokee counties and the old Campbell County (now defunct), the legislature created Douglas County. The county seat became Douglasville, Georgia eventually. When the Confederate Democrats regained control of the legislature, they changed the name of the county to honor the rival of Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Douglas who was on the 1860 Democratic ticket. At this time the second (s) was removed from Douglas County.[7][8] [6]
Oct 17, 1870 Douglas County became Georgia's #133 county. It is near the city of Atlanta west of Fulton County. Due to the proximity to Atlanta, Douglas County is considered 1/50 fastest-growing counties in the United States.[3]
"Skinny"/"Skinned" Chestnut
1870 As county citizens frequently do in Georgia, South Carolina and Texas, citizens disagree over which town to be named as county seat. Douglas County Citizens had a similar dispute which lasted 4 years. Douglasville was first known as "Skinned" or "Skinny" Chestnut. (similar to the chestnut tree long ago used as an Indian marker. Douglasville was chosen to be the county seat by the first officers. But... an election with a majority had voted for a site more central.. This case wound its way to the Supreme Court of Georgia, which ruled in favor of the citizens' choice.. A run-off election finally selected Douglasville with a majority by 1875. [3]
1871 the commissioners started selling town lots. A 3-room wooden courthouse was built for the 1st Courthouse. [9]
Feb 25, 1875 Douglasville, Georgia became the county seat. It was named for the county.
March, 1879 Citizens of the Douglas County voted to change the shape and size of the courthouse square.[9]
1880 2nd Courthouse - a 2-story brick courthouse was built on the enlarged courthouse square. An error in the fault in the baking of the brick or poor quality motor caused the courthouse to crumble.
1882 When the Railroad extended to Douglas county, Hixtown (Old Villa Rica) and Cheevestown built a new town New Villa Rica. Two fires destroyed much of the new Vill Rica in 1890 and 1908. When settlers moved to New Villa Rica, they moved buildings such as Wicks Tavern (constructed of Dutch style timber framing method. These buildings were moved using the Railroad.

Wick's Tavern was not torn down, but currently serves as a museum. [2]

1884 - The building had to be abandoned.[9]
1884-1896 - It is unclear what was used for a courthouse. [9]

Hobson, Georgia is located in Southern Douglas County near the Chattahoochee river (10 miles S of Winston).[10]

Lithia Springs Milford Mill ruins
Dec 20, 1893- Lithia Springs, Georgia was incorporated. It is located on the Southern Railroad running from Atlanta to Birmingham. In 1900 its population was 330, but continues to grow. At that time there was a post office, with money order service, express and telegraph service, hotels, and some good stores. Its name is derived from the salt (lithe) mineral water springs in the area. Wealthy tourists visit the area which is a wealth result. By 2010 the small town had a population of 2010 census, the community had a population of 15,491. The area is named for its historic "lithia" mineral water springs. In 1933 Lithia Springs was dissolved as an incorporated town, but was incorporated again in 1994. As of 2001 when the city was unable to deliver some services, it was disincorporated. Over the 110 years the town had 5 mayors. Its postal zip code is 30122.[10]
Little Anna tourist
1896 - a large 2-story brick courthouse with a clock tower was built in the same location, designed by architect, Andrew J. bruere & Co. This building was substantial and lasted 60 years.Cite error 3; Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many
Jan. 11, 1956 The 1896 courthouse was destroyed by fire. [9]
1896 Courthouse old
June, 1965 bond election approved costs for building a new courthouse on the same site as the previous courthouses. This was contemporary building that looks single story from the front. Due to being on a hill this actually was 2 stories with 52 rooms (36,000 sq. ft.) [9]
Sweetwater state Park (Ruins of New Manchester Mfg Mill
1967 The Georgia Conservancy was founded. US Congressman James Mackay of Decatur, gathered citizens who were interested in Georgia's vanishing resources. One of the early items tackled and won was Sweetwater Creek became a state park. This organization works with other organizations to protect threatened areas.[11]
1990 Douglas County had outgrown the courthouse. County government offices were spread out in 7 buildings of Douglasville. Tax was approved for a county government complex. The courthouse square was too small to hold a larger building and it was noisy due to trains. [9]
1997/1998 On a 60 acre site 1/2 mile away the new building began and was completed Feb, 1998. The old building on the square became the home for a museum and the Douglas County History Society.[9]
1998 When the new Courthouse opened it was feared the grand "old 1965 courthouse" would be "surplus" and slated for sale and disposal. However the Tourism and Historical Commission saw potential in the building. They asked the Board of Commissioners to hang onto the building as it had great architecture. Now It is home for the Douglas County Museum of History and Art. Many private collections are featured, such as school lunchboxes, Coco Cola articles, a tribute to veterans, black education history, medical history, merchants and farmers exhibits. Fanny Mae Davis (first historian and Young Vansant are featured. [12]
Douglas Co. Courthouse
1998 5th County Courthouse was built. This courthouse is located on the same site of the (3) previous courthouses. This replaced the 1950 2nd courthouse which now has a museum and the Douglas County hIstorical Society offices. [3]
The Southern Railway crosses the N part of the county. Here Douglasville is located which has a State bank with capital of $25,000. Douglasville, Georgia has good schools, and a college, Douglasville College is located, connected to the public school system of the county. Down the road is Salt or Lithia Springs with its resort. Nearby is the Chattahoochee river on the eastern and southeastern border and together with some tributary creeks affords abundance of fish.[10]


With work (plowing, etc) Douglas county land produces 600 or 700 pounds of seed cotton, 12 bushels of corn, 20 of oats, 10 of wheat, 10 of rye, 100 of Irish potatoes, 75 of sweet potatoes, 10 of field-peas, 15 of groundpeas, 2,000 pounds of crab-grass hay, 300 pounds of corn fodder and 150 gallons of sorghum syrup. According to the United States census of 1900 during the season of 1899-1900 there were ginned 8,091 bales of upland cotton.[10]
Douglas proximity to Atlanta
Georgia Comptroller listed the improved land as 121,499 acres; wild land 1,323 acres. The average value/acre was $5.66, of wild land- $1.60; value f town property- $127,641; stocks and bonds - $2,289; value of merchandise, $18,925 ;invested in cotton factories- $600.00; invested in iron works $200.00; with an Aggregate value of whole property of $1,092,096.00. [10]
late 1960 The Georgia Conservancy acquired > 2,000 acres in Douglas County. They named this area Sweetwater Creek State Park. Lithia Springs park is in Douglas County with the Sweetwater Creek runs through Lithia Springs park as it meanders to connect to the Chattahoochee River. The park offers fishing, boating, and hiking. [3]


Sept 21, 2009 Douglas County was inundated by the worst flood of its history. This region is not near the gulf of Mexico, yet is very humid and floods, even tornadoes occur here. Rain fell one night totaling 18 inches at once. Many aroads, and homes were destroyed. This affected Douglas ville, Villa Rica, Austell, Lithia Springs and Chapel Hill, with 8 deaths.[13]

Adjacent counties

  • Cobb County– northeast
  • Fulton County – southeast
  • Carroll County – west
  • Paulding County – northwest

Government Offices

1st Courthouse,1871 A 3-room wooden courthouse was built for the 1st Courthouse. [9]

2nd Courthouse, 1880 - a 2-story brick courthouse was built on the enlarged courthouse square. An error in the fault in the baking of the brick or poor quality motor caused the courthouse to crumble. By 1884 the building had to be abandoned. [9]

1884-1896 - It is unclear what was used for a courthouse. [9]
1896 Courthouse old

3rd Courthouse, 1896 - a large 2-story brick courthouse with a clock tower was built in the same location, designed by architect, Andrew J. bruere & Co. This building was substantial and lasted 60 years.[9]

Jan. 11, 1956 The 1896 courthouse was destroyed by fire. [9]

4th Courthouse, June, 1965 a bond election approved costs to build a new courthouse on the same site as the previous courthouses. This was contemporary building that looks single story from the front. Due to being on a hill this actually was 2 stories with 52 rooms (36,000 sq. ft.) [9]

1990 Douglas County had outgrown the 1965 courthouse. County government offices were spread out in 7 buildings of Douglasville. Tax was approved for a county government complex. The courthouse square was too small to hold a larger building and it was noisy due to trains. [9]
Douglas Co. Courthouse

5th Courthouse, 1997/1998 On a 60 acre site 1/2 mile away the new building began and was completed Feb, 1998. The old building on the square became the home for a museum and the Douglas County History Society.[9]

Geography

Forest - Hardwoods- all kinds of oaks, hickory, chestnut, sweet gum, birch, maple and pine
Size 212 sq. mi (135,680 Acres) 200 square miles (520 km2) is land and 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2) (0.5%) is wate
Crops with tillage Seed cotton, corn, oats, wheat, rye, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, field peas, crab-grass hay, corn fodder, sorghum syrup, cotton
Farm Animals raised, 1890 --sheep, cattle, milk cows, working oxen, horses, mules, donkey, swim, poultry.
Elevation - 740 feet (230 m) at the Chattahoochee River to 1,340 feet (410 m)
Mountains - Andy Mountain, between Villa Rica and Winston –(W of Douglasville along Bankhead Hwy is highest.
Cedar Mountain- 1,257 feet
Pine Mountain - 1,180 feet (360 m).
Region - Piedmont region, with underlying rock strata of igneous and metamorphicized igneous rock
Topography - Elevation varies due to rolling hills and near Appalachian mtns.,
Sub Basin -- All of Douglas County os in Middle Chattahoochee River-Lake Harding sub-basin of the ACF River Basin (Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin)
Terrain is rolling hills and stream valleys with alluvial plains along the Chattahoochee River.
Type  :Seasonal or permanent wetlands parallel many of its streams.
Creeks/Streams- These are relatively narrow bands of soggy terrain that provide ecological diversity for animal and plant life.
Soil thin topsoil over most hills and steep slopes, while much deeper soil near streams
Type Soil - Sandy loam can still be found near streams and there are some deposits of blue pipe clay (alluvial kaolin.
Creeks- Major streams include the Dog River, Annawakee Creek, Little Annawakee Creek, Sweetwater Creek, Basket Creek, Bear Creek, Little Bear Creek, Yellow Rock Creek, Toggle Creek, Mud Creek, Huey Creek, Wolf Creek, Slater Mill Creek Crooked Creek and Camp Creek.

https://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/native-american-history-of-douglas-county-georgia.htm

Protected areas

  • New Manchester ruins, of Civil War
  • Sweetwater Creek State Park

Demographics

There is not 2000 census breakdown. In 2010 United States Census, there were 132,403 peoplein the county with a population density of 661.8 inhabitants/sq. mi. The racial makeup of the county was 52.5% white, 39.5% black or African American, 1.4% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 3.8% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 8.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 13.1% were African, 9.1% were American, 8.6% were Irish, 7.8% were German, and 7.6% were English. Median income for a household in the county was $50,798, and the median income for a family was $54,082. About 5.70% of families and 7.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.90% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over. Estimated 2017 population - (2017) 143,882 [14]

  • 1890 The county produced 518,669 gallons of milk, 162,627 pounds of butter, 93,299 dozens of eggs and 12,922 pounds of honey.
  • 1900- population -8,745, a gain of 951 since 1890.
  • Colleges
West Georgia Technical College, Douglas County.
Mercer University branch, in Douglas County.
  • MCI operates a major switching center there.

Schools

  • 1900 Douglas public schools has 45 schools, has daily attendance of 1,312 pupils in the 34 schools for whites and 338 in the 11 schools for Negroes. The report of the State School Commissioner, issued in 1900, states the school fund was $6,035.71.
  • Douglas County is the 17th largest school district. Is served by the Douglas County School System, the seventeenth largest public school district in Georgia. There are:
19 Elementary Schools
7 Middle Schools
5 High Schools
Crossroads Night school, A Performance Learning Center
numerous private academies.

Colleges

Mercer University has educational programs for working adults, located in Douglas County (Lithia Springs) i
West Georgia Technical College, formerly West Central Technical College (main campus in Waco, Georgia) provides programs for adult education and GED classes.
Tanner Technical Institute -
Strayer University
Georgia Highlands College

Highways

  • Interstate 20
  • U.S. Route 78
  • U.S. Route 278
  • Georgia State Route 5
  • Georgia State Route 6
  • Georgia State Route 8
  • Georgia State Route 8 Connector
  • Georgia State Route 61
  • Georgia State Route 70
  • Georgia State Route 92
  • Georgia State Route 154
  • Georgia State Route 166
  • Georgia State Route 402

Hospital - Douglas County is served by Wellstar Douglas Hospital

Cities/Communities

County Resources

  • Lithia Springs (Salt Springs, Georgia) noted for health-bestowing waters, favorite resort in summer and winter.
  • Hunter Harvest Arts and Crafts Festival, Douglasville
  • Pioneer Days, Douglasville
  • Kris Kringle Market, Douglasville
  • Tour of Homes, Douglasville
  • New Manchester Days.


Census

  • The proximity to Atlanta stimulated growth in Douglas County Interstate 20 runs through the county, thus allowing a short commute to Atlanta for many residents who work in the city.
  • According to the 2010 U.S. census, the county's population is 132,403, a significant increase over the 2000 population of 92,174.
1880 --- 6,934 —
1890 --- 7,794 12.4%
1900 --- 8,745 12.2%
1910 --- 8,953 2.4%
1920 --- 10,477 17.0%
1930 --- 9,461 −9.7%
1940 --- 10,053 6.3%
1950 --- 12,173 21.1%
1960 --- 16,741 37.5%
1970 --- 28,659 71.2%
1980 --- 54,573 90.4%
1990 --- 71,120 30.3%
2000 --- 92,174 29.6%
2010 --- 132,403 43.6%

Cemeteries


Sources

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 https://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/native-american-history-of-douglas-county-georgia.htm
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_Rica%2C_Georgia
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/counties-cities-neighborhoods/douglas-county
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 https://patch.com/georgia/douglasville/our-history-yankees-sing-dixie-in-douglas_753dc667 Douglas co. and History]
  5. ↑ https://mhstribaltimes.org/8934/did-you-know/douglas-county-originally-named-in-honor-frederick-douglas/
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://genealogytrails.com/geo/douglas/history.htm
  7. ↑ https://georgia.gov/cities-counties/douglas-county
  8. ↑ https://mhstribaltimes.org/8934/did-you-know/douglas-county-originally-named-in-honor-frederick-douglas/
  9. ↑ 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 9.11 9.12 9.13 9.14 9.15 https://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/topics/counties/douglas
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 http://genealogytrails.com/geo/douglas/history.htm
  11. ↑ https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/geography-environment/georgia-conservancy
  12. ↑ Douglas Museum of History
  13. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_County,_Georgia
  14. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_County,_Georgia




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