---
title: HR 466. Historical significance of the 1911 Rand McNally map of Dawson County, Georgia; commend
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hr466
cite_as: HR 466, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr466
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr466.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr466/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71079
date: 2025-03-03
status: passed
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-12
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 131
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr466.md?full=1
bill_number: HR 466
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2025-03-03
last_action: House Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Will Wade
  - Johnny Chastain
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR466/2025
upstream_id: 1990370
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - Dawson County history
  - Georgia historical resolutions
  - local heritage
  - Georgia General Assembly commendations
---

# HR 466. Historical significance of the 1911 Rand McNally map of Dawson County, Georgia; commend

## Text

House Resolution 466
By: Representatives Wade of the 9th and Chastain of the 7th
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the historical significance of the 1911 Rand McNally map of Dawson County,
Georgia; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the 1911 Rand McNally map of Dawson County, Georgia, provides a valuable
historical snapshot of the region's geography, infrastructure, and cultural landmarks as they
existed in the early 20th century; and
WHEREAS, the map highlights several communities that were once integral to the county's
social and economic fabric but have since diminished or disappeared, including Afton,
Amicalola, Barrettsville, Bright, Cogburn, Dawsonville, Dougherty, Fork, Hubbardsville,
Johntown, Juno, Landrum, Laurel, McKee, Palmour, Pots Mountain, Rockpile, Sarepta,
Warhill, and Yellowcreek, each of which played a significant role in the area's development
yet, over time, has been lost or absorbed into larger towns or counties; and
WHEREAS, Afton, once a vibrant agricultural community, was home to several prominent
families who were integral to the county's early growth; though the town has largely
disappeared, its agricultural legacy remains a part of Dawson County's historical fabric; and
WHEREAS, Amicalola, named after the nearby Amicalola Falls, was a center for early
tourism and a gathering place for people enjoying the natural beauty of the area; though the
town has faded, Amicalola Falls State Park continues to draw visitors to the region; and
WHEREAS, Barrettsville, a settlement that grew around early roadways and trade, once
served as a crossroads for travelers and commerce; though no longer a recognized
community, its role in facilitating early economic activity is an important chapter in Dawson
County's history; and
WHEREAS, Bright, a small agricultural settlement, was home to farms that helped feed the
local population, and its location along early transportation routes made it a vital part of
Dawson County's rural economy; and
WHEREAS, Cogburn, an early mill town, served as a critical source of local industry,
providing employment and economic stability to the area for many years; though now a
distant memory, the community's industrial past still influences the development of
surrounding areas; and
WHEREAS, Dawsonville, the county seat, remains a thriving town that has grown from its
early history as a bustling center of trade and commerce; its historical significance is
celebrated today, even as it continues to evolve into a modern community; and
WHEREAS, Dougherty, a small farming community, once contributed to the agricultural
wealth of Dawson County, and though it has long since been absorbed into surrounding
areas, its presence on the early map serves as a reminder of the county's agrarian past; and
WHEREAS, Fork, a settlement once situated at a key junction of early roads, played an
important role in the transportation networks that connected Dawson County with other parts
of Georgia—its location near multiple crossroads made it a vital stop for travelers; and
WHEREAS, Hubbardsville, an early logging community, helped fuel the industrial growth
of Dawson County by supplying timber for the burgeoning building industry—the area's
natural resources were once central to the county's economy, and Hubbardsville was one of
its key contributors; and
WHEREAS, Johntown, a settlement that arose alongside the rise of mining activities, saw
a brief period of prosperity before the mines played out and the town faded from the map;
its once-prominent role in the mining industry is now remembered by historians; and
WHEREAS, Juno, a small community that grew up near the mining and logging operations,
served as a key location for industry and trade; today, little remains of Juno, but its role in
shaping the area's early economy endures in local memory; and
WHEREAS, Landrum, once a farm town known for its rich soil and crops, was part of
Dawson County's early agricultural movement, supplying food to the region; though the town
has disappeared, its agricultural contributions remain a part of Dawson's history; and
WHEREAS, Laurel, a community that once thrived along the waterways of Dawson County,
provided natural resources and a place of residence for those who worked the land and the
rivers—its legacy continues in the county's ongoing connection to its waterways; and
WHEREAS, McKee, a small farming community, contributed to Dawson County's early
agricultural economy, and though it no longer exists as a town, its influence on local farming
practices can still be traced through the county's agricultural landscape; and
WHEREAS, Palmour, named after an early settler, was once a bustling hub for local
agriculture and trade—its absence today is a reminder of the changing nature of Dawson
County's rural economy; and
WHEREAS, Pots Mountain, an area once home to small settlements of miners and loggers,
provided key natural resources that helped fuel the economy of Dawson County in its early
years; and
WHEREAS, Rockpile, once an important stop for travelers on early roads, helped connect
Dawson County to surrounding areas and was a central location for commerce during its
peak; and
WHEREAS, Sarepta, a once-thriving religious community, was a place for spiritual
gatherings and social events; although the town no longer exists, its spiritual influence can
still be felt in the local churches and gatherings today; and
WHEREAS, Warhill, once home to a strong agricultural base, was a place where residents
worked the land and participated in community events—its history is intertwined with that
of neighboring areas that continue to carry on its traditions; and
WHEREAS, Yellowcreek, a rural community that was closely tied to agriculture and local
trade, provided a hub for farming families in Dawson County; while the town has
disappeared, its historical importance as part of the county's agrarian past endures; and
WHEREAS, the map illustrates the layout of early transportation networks, including historic
roadways, railways, and settlements that shaped the development of small towns and rural
communities within Dawson County; and
WHEREAS, many of the communities, settlements, and named locations on the map reflect
a way of life that has since evolved due to industrialization, urbanization, and shifts in
economic and social structures; and
WHEREAS, preserving and recognizing this historical cartographic record allows for a
deeper appreciation of the county's heritage and provides insight into how the landscape and
society have changed over time; and
WHEREAS, the study and commemoration of these lost or transformed landmarks contribute
to the broader understanding of Georgia's small-town history and the forces that shaped its
development throughout the 20th century.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body recognize the historical significance of the 1911 Rand McNally
map of Dawson County, Georgia, and encourage further efforts to document, study, and
educate the public about the county's evolving geography and cultural legacy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the
public and the press.

## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary.

A Georgia House resolution commends the historical significance of the 1911 Rand McNally map of Dawson County, honoring communities that once existed there but have since faded away.

### Plain-language summary

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives recognizes the 1911 Rand McNally map of Dawson County, Georgia, as a valuable historical record of the region's geography, roads, and communities as they existed in the early 1900s. It walks through numerous small settlements shown on the map, such as Afton, Amicalola, Barrettsville, Cogburn, and Yellowcreek, describing their past roles in farming, logging, mining, trade, or religious life, most of which have since disappeared or been absorbed into larger towns.
The resolution formally states that House members recognize the map's historical value and encourage further efforts to document, study, and educate the public about Dawson County's changing geography and cultural history. It also directs the Clerk of the House to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to the public and the press.

### What it does

- Formally recognizes the historical significance of the 1911 Rand McNally map of Dawson County, Georgia.
- Encourages further documentation, study, and public education about Dawson County's changing geography and cultural history.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to the public and the press.
- Does not create any new law, funding, program, or legal requirement; it is a commemorative statement only.

### Who it affects

This resolution mainly affects Dawson County residents and local historians interested in the county's history, along with the Clerk of the House, who is tasked with distributing copies. It does not impose obligations on businesses, agencies, or the general public statewide.

### Why it matters

Because this is a commemorative resolution rather than a law, it does not change any rights, funding, or requirements for Georgians. Its practical effect is to put the General Assembly's recognition of Dawson County's local history on the official record and encourage future historical documentation.

### Key provisions

- The resolving clause states that House members recognize the historical significance of the 1911 Rand McNally map of Dawson County and encourage further study and public education about the county's evolving geography and cultural legacy.
- A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make copies of the resolution available for distribution to the public and the press.
- The bulk of the text consists of 'whereas' clauses describing individual historic communities shown on the 1911 map, none of which create binding legal effect.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2025-03-03)
- Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-03-03)
- Sponsors: Will Wade, Johnny Chastain
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71079

> The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr466.md?full=1