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Douglas County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 132,403, nearly double that in 1990. The county seat is Douglasville. Douglas County is included in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area. It has attracted new residents as jobs have increased in the Atlanta area.
[edit] History
The county was created during Reconstruction after the US Civil War when many African Americans were serving in the Georgia legislature, and was named Douglass County after the abolitionist Frederick Douglass, but the name was soon changed when Confederate Democrats regained power and expelled the reconsructionists. They renamed it Douglas County (one 's') after Stephen A. Douglas, an Illinois senator and the Democratic opponent of Abraham Lincoln in the presidential election of 1860. The existing historical marker makes no mention of the original name and says:
The act creating Douglas County provided that in November 1870, voters of the new county would elect county officers, and vote to select the site of the county seat. In the election, some voters chose a site near the center of the county, but a larger number voted for the settlement known as "Skinned Chestnut" or "Skin(t) Chestnut," based on a Creek Indian landmark tree. The courthouse commissioners chose this site as county seat and proceeded to sell lots and build a courthouse. It later changed its name to Douglasville. A group of citizens filed suit against the commissioners. The case ultimately went to the Supreme Court of Georgia, which ruled against the commissioners. Both sides agreed to postpone further action until the route of the Georgia Western Railroad through Douglas County was determined. The General Assembly enacted legislation on Feb. 28, 1874, directing that an election be held on Apr. 7, 1874, to determine the location of the county seat—but with the provision that the site be located on the Georgia Western Railroad. In the election, voters confirmed Douglasville as the county seat. On Feb. 25, 1875, the General Assembly incorporated Douglasville. [edit] Timeline
[edit] Population History
[edit] CemeteriesCemeteries of Douglas County, Georgia, United States [edit] Research Tips[edit] External links
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