Gilmer County Historical Timeline | Northeast Georgia LifeStyle

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Take a step back in time with this Gilmer County Historical Timeline from 1556 through present day. Be sure to keep checking back for new information as the page grows

1500’s

1556: Spaniard Moyano visited the area now called Gilmer County multiple times. These trips were attempts to establish Catholic missions in the area, however, none were successful.
Prior to 1665: the region of the state now called Gilmer County was claimed by the Spanish, as a part of Florida until 1665.

1600’s

1665: the area now called Gilmer County, Georgia became a part of Carolina

1700’s

1769: by this year in time, the first non-indians had settled in what was to eventually become Gilmer County, Georgia.
1780: Colonel John Sevier (1745-1815) entered into Georgia to started what was know as his “heroic” battles with the Indians

1800’s

1805: The Federal Highway was completed
1829: There was a short “Gold Fever” in the area during this time which ended in the 1840’s.
December 3, 1832: Gilmer County, the states 85th County, was created from Cherokee County, by an Act of the General Assembly (Ga Laws 1832, p. 56). The County was named for George Rockingham Gilmer aka “Indian Fighter,” who served two terms as Governor.
1834: Old Cartecay United Methodist Church, the oldest Methodist Church in North Georgia, was established.
1840: Population: 2,536
March 24, 1842: Fort Hetzel was abandoned
1840s: the end of the Gold Rush in Gilmer County
1850: Population: 8,440
1860: Population: 6,724
1870: Population: 6,644
1880: Population: 8,386
1883: the arrival of The Marietta and North Georgia railroad to Gilmer County
1890: Population: 9,074

1900’s

1900: Population: 10,198
1903: John W Clayton introduced the addition of apples to the local economy; he raised over 70 different varieties of apples
1910: Population: 9,237
1916: telephone services were developed in Gilmer County
1920: Population: 8,406
1930: Population: 7,344
1940: Population: 9,001
1946: Cicero Logan became sole Commissioner of Gilmer County
1950: Population: 9,963
1950: Power was available to every person in Gilmer County by 1950
1959: Harold Hefner began his term as Gilmer County’s Commissioner (He was elected in 1958)
1960: Population: 8,922
1970: Population: 8,956
1973: Benjamin N. Whitaker, Gilmer County’s last sole Commissioner, began his term. (He was elected in 1972)
1980: Population: 11,110
1988: Gilmer County established a five-member board of commissioners, which includes: Mack Logan, Ruel Reece, Garvin Davis Jr., John Penland, and Charles Aaron.
1990: Population: 13,368
1991: Georgia Highway 515 was completed bringing a large increase in tourists: (the county’s apples, festivals, scenery, etc.)

2000’s

2000: Population: 23,456
2010: Population: 28,292

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