Dawson County Historical Timeline | Northeast Georgia LifeStyle

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Take a step back in time with this Dawson County Historical Timeline from 1790 through present day. Be sure to keep checking back for new information as the page grows

1700’s

1790: what would eventually become Dawson County experienced an increase in white homesteaders between 1790 and 1830

1800’s

1829: Native Americans thrived in the area now known as Dawson County up until gold was discovered in 1829.
1830: the old Lumpkin Campground, which was originally established as a Methodist camp-meeting site, which is still in use for Methodist and Baptist camp meetings today.
1830: The US Congress passed the Indian Removal Act
1832: Georgia claimed the area of the region that is now Dawson County as state territory.
1838: Native Americans who had not already voluntarily left the area and moved west were forced to leave via the Trail of
Tears.
December 3, 1857: Dawson County, the states 119th county, was created. It was named for Judge William C. Dawson.
August 1858– Plans were finalized for the construction of a new courthouse that would replace the existing log structure that contained the county’s documents, etc.
1859: Dawsonville was incorporated as a town
1860: Population: 3,856
1860’s: The 1860’s brought war and hardship to the families that called Dawson County home.
The Confederate units that were raised in Dawson County during this time include:
~ 21st Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company E Concord Rangers
~ 22nd Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company I, Dawson County Independents
~ 38th Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company I (Wright’s Legion), Dawson Farmers
~ 38th Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Company L (Wright’s Legion)
~ 52nd Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry, Company I
The Union units that were raised in Dawson County during this time include:
~ 1st Georgia Infantry Battalion, Companies B and C
1870: Population: 4,369
1880: Population: 5,837
1881: A new jail was completed for the county after the original jail was destroyed by fire during an escape attempt.
1890: Population: 5,612

1900’s

1900: Population: 5,442
1910: Population: 4,686
1920: Population: 4,204
1930: Population: 3,502
1930’s: the invasion of the boll weevil and the climbing cost of mining operations, both gold mining and the cotton agriculture businesses suffered.
1940: Population: 4,479
1950: Population: 3,712
1952: Dawsonville was incorporated as a city
1956: Lake Lanier was created by the completion of Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River; part of the lake forms the southern end of Dawson County.
1957: The Appalachian Trail was re-routed and the new endpoint was established approximately 8 miles north of Amicalola Falls State Park. This made Dawson County a major attraction area for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
1960: Population: 3,590
1966: Dawson County hosted its first Annual Moonshine Festival
1970: Population: 3,639
1971: 10,000 acres sold by Lockheed-Georgia allowed the county to establish the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area.
1980: Population: 4,774
1980’s: The Georgia 400 highway to Atlanta made this area more accessible.
1980: The current Dawson County Courthouse opened.
1990: Population: 9,429

2000’s

2000: Population: 15,999
2000: The Kangaroo Conservation Center, which was originally established in Alpharetta, relocated and opened on 87 acres located in Dawsonville, Georgia.
2010: Population: 22,330

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