County History: DeKalb County, Georgia | DeKalb History Center (2024)

The land that we now call Georgia was once the ancestral homeland to both the Cherokee Nation and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The Creek Confederacy, now known as the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, consisted of a union of several groups – Muscogees being the largest, Hitchitees, Yuchis, and others. Sometime in the 1700s, Europeans began calling them “Creeks” because they resided near waterways. They lived in tribal towns all through middle and south Georgia and in Alabama. The Cherokee Nation inhabited parts of northern Georgia and Alabama, southern Tennessee, and western North Carolina.

In order to preserve the well-being of its people, the two nations slowly began to assimilate and cede some of their land in an effort to appease the burgeoning population of incoming settlers. The Cherokee and Muscogee (Creek) Nations were two of the “Five Civilized Tribes,” a term coined by European settlers, identifying southeastern tribes that attempted to conform to European culture and society in order to survive and maintain peace. Unfortunately, the thirst for land and money was too great, and the nations were forced to give away their lands until there was nothing left.

There are eight confirmed land lotteries directly resulting from both the Creeks and Cherokees ceding their land: 1805, 1807, 1820, 1821, 1827, 1832 (two lotteries occurred), and 1833.

The 1821 land lottery, which raffled off land taken from the Creeks, resulted in the formation of Henry, Fayette and Gwinnett Counties, from which DeKalb County would eventually be formed. The General Assembly of the State of Georgia appointed five commissioners who picked land lot 246 in the 15th militia district as the county site.

DeKalb County was established in 1822 as Georgia’s 56th county and is situated on a natural ridge that runs between Atlanta and Athens, the Continental Divide. The southern boundary is the South River and the northern boundary is the Hightower Trail, a trading path used by Indigenous Peoples from across the southeast.

The county has 269 square miles and was named after Baron Johann de Kalb, a native of Germany and self-proclaimed baron who aided the colonists in their fight for independence. The county seat was named for Stephen Decatur, a naval hero in the War of 1812. Neither man ever set foot in DeKalb County. Both surnames were popular for “new” place names in this time period – over 30 cities and counties in the United States are named for these men.

DeKalb was already organized into militia districts with justices of the Inferior Courts and justices of the peace retaining their offices. Captains of the militia districts often served as judges and tax collectors for the districts as well. Some of these early militia districts included the Diamond District, the Browning District and the Shallowford District. The City of Atlanta, in its infancy and until 1853 when Fulton County was created, was entirely in DeKalb County.

As the Muscogee (Creek) were slowly being pushed out, the settlers who came into DeKalb were of English, Scotch, and Irish descent coming from Virginia, the Carolinas, and Europe. They were subsistence farmers who were not highly educated and usually lived in log cabins.

Decatur was incorporated as the county seat on December 10, 1823. Its location was a trading post at the intersection of two Native trails.

In July of 1864, some of the battle of Atlanta actually took place in DeKalb County around the courthouse and along what is now DeKalb Avenue.

Chief of the industries during the early years in DeKalb were granite quarrying, farming, dairy farming and cotton mills and grain mills. Land near the South River produced 1,000 or more pounds of cotton per acre, and the county was one of the largest milk producers in the southeast. Large truck farms supplied vegetables throughout the region. Development in DeKalb in the early years was along the rivers and along the railroads from Decatur, east to Stone Mountain and southeast to Lithonia.

One of the most important periods in DeKalb County occurred after World War II. The county grew tremendously, due to equal parts good planning and proximity to Atlanta. When the General Motors plant opened in Doraville 1947, our county became the epicenter for the Ranch House boom in Georgia. The dairy land all around this county provided the ample space we needed to begin suburban sprawl. Much of the pivotal planning was done under the leadership of Scott Candler, Sr., who was the sole DeKalb Commissioner during this time period.

Today DeKalb County is the fourth largest county in Georgia with over 757,000 (2021 data) residents. It is home to Clarkston, the most diverse square mile in America and countless gems that add to its character and rich history.

County History: DeKalb County, Georgia | DeKalb History Center (2024)

FAQs

What is DeKalb County famous for? ›

The county has always been noted for agriculture. In 1852, the first Agricultural Fair was held in Sycamore, under the supervision of the DeKalb Agricultural Society. Eventually farmers, businessmen, bankers and newspapermen organized to become the DeKalb County Soil Improvement Association.

Why is DeKalb famous? ›

Barbed wire was a key product in DeKalb's history. Joseph Glidden (1813–1906), a DeKalb resident since about 1850, received a patent in 1874 for inventing the conventional double-strand barbed wire that remains in common use around the world today.

When was the old DeKalb County courthouse built? ›

DeKalb County's fourth courthouse, built in 1916 and known today as the Old Courthouse, sits on the historic square in Decatur. A small park and bandstand surround the building, which today houses the DeKalb History Center.

What city in Georgia has the most African Americans? ›

In absolute number, the City of Atlanta has the greatest number of black residents, at 465,230 — for 51.8 percent of that city's population.

What is the oldest house in DeKalb County? ›

The Solomon Goodwin House was located at 3931 Peachtree Road in Brookhaven, Georgia, 0.5 miles (0.80 km) east of Atlanta city limits. Dating back to 1831, it was the oldest building still standing in DeKalb County, Georgia and the oldest building "Inside the Perimeter".

What percent black is DeKalb County? ›

The 5 largest ethnic groups in DeKalb County, GA are Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (52.4%), White (Non-Hispanic) (29%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (6.19%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.26%), and White (Hispanic) (2.91%).

Why is DeKalb called Barb city? ›

Originally known as the “Barb City', where barbed wire was invented, the City of DeKalb has evolved from a primarily manufacturing and agribusiness town to a community which is recognized for its commitment to economic and environmental sustainability, a variety of cultural and entertainment opportunities, and regional ...

What is the largest city in DeKalb County? ›

DeKalb County is included in the Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell metropolitan area. It contains roughly 10% of the city of Atlanta (the other 90% lies in Fulton County). Stonecrest is the largest city that is entirely within the county.

What was invented in DeKalb? ›

Barbed Wire: Joseph Glidden, who developed barbed wire, is a historic citizen of DeKalb. Glidden would ultimately be known as the “Father of Barbed Wire”. Glidden began to mass produce his invention, and eventually sold half of the company to Isaac L. Ellwood.

What famous people went to DeKalb School of the Arts? ›

Notable alumni
  • 2002: Donald Glover – writer, director, comedian, actor, rapper, record producer under the name Childish Gambino.
  • 2004: Lloyd – R&B singer.
  • 2007: Shonica Gooden – Broadway actress.
  • 2007: Myles Grier – TV actor, producer, writer.
  • 2014: Yung Baby Tate – rapper, singer, and record producer.

Is DeKalb GA a good place to live? ›

DeKalb County is a wonderful place to live, work, and play. From its abundance of outdoor activities to its vibrant nightlife scene and diverse restaurant options, there is something for everyone in this vibrant community.

When was DeKalb County founded? ›

DeKalb County was formed in 1822 and named after Baron Johann DeKalb, who was a general with the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.

Who is DeKalb County TN named after? ›

The county was created by the General Assembly of Tennessee on December 2, 1837, and was named for Revolutionary War hero Major General Johann de Kalb.

What is the history of Hall county GA? ›

Hall was founded in 1818, when the region's mountains were still populated by Native Americans, as the trading center of Northeast Georgia. Gainesville, its seat, soon became a frontier boom town as settlers flocked to homesteads in the rolling hills formerly inhabited by Cherokee Indians.

What is the oldest Black town in Georgia? ›

Oscarville was formed in the 1800s during the post-war Reconstruction. Oscarville was an agricultural community, and for most of its history it was reported to be prosperous.

What is the oldest Black neighborhood? ›

Tremé, a historic community just north of the French Quarter, is the oldest African American neighborhood in America. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, free persons of color and eventually those African slaves who obtained, bought or bargained for their freedom were able to acquire and own property in Tremé.

Where is the oldest black community? ›

Pocahontas Island — 70 acres in the middle of the Appomattox River next to downtown Petersburg — is home to one of the oldest African American communities in the United States. Pocahontas became a town in 1752, a center of tobacco trade and, later, shipping and railroads.

What is the oldest all Black town? ›

Eatonville, Florida, is the oldest black-incorporated municipality in the United States. Incorporated in 1887, it is the first town successfully established by African American freedmen.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Carlyn Walter

Last Updated:

Views: 6219

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carlyn Walter

Birthday: 1996-01-03

Address: Suite 452 40815 Denyse Extensions, Sengermouth, OR 42374

Phone: +8501809515404

Job: Manufacturing Technician

Hobby: Table tennis, Archery, Vacation, Metal detecting, Yo-yoing, Crocheting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.