Senate Resolution 272
By: Senator James of the 28th
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing February 27, 2025, as Douglas County Day at the state capitol; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS, Douglas County, Georgia, the state's 133rd county, was created on October 17,
1870, and named in honor of Stephen A. Douglas, the Illinois statesman who ran against
Abraham Lincoln in the 1860 presidential election; and
WHEREAS, carved out of Campbell and Carroll counties, Douglas County encompasses 199
square miles and has grown into one of the 50 fastest-growing counties in the United States
due to its proximity to Atlanta and access to the famous Interstate 20 corridor; and
WHEREAS, Douglasville, the county seat, was officially established on February 25, 1875,
and was originally known as "Skinned" or "Skint" Chestnut in reference to a prominent
chestnut tree used as a Native American marker; and
WHEREAS, Douglas County has a rich indigenous history, once inhabited by the Creek and
Cherokee peoples, with numerous Mississippian burial mounds and Native American
artifacts found throughout the area; and
WHEREAS, in 1881, the Georgia Western Railroad, later acquired by the Pacific Railway
Company, began construction of a rail line that would connect Atlanta to Birmingham,
Alabama, establishing Douglas County as a key transportation hub; and
WHEREAS, Douglas County is home to Sweetwater Creek State Park, a beloved natural
resource offering fishing, boating, and hiking, as well as the historic ruins of the New
Manchester Manufacturing Company, which was destroyed by Union troops during
Sherman's March to the Sea in 1864; and
WHEREAS, the county prioritizes education, hosting a satellite campus of West Georgia
Technical College and a branch of Mercer University, providing residents with valuable
higher education opportunities; and
WHEREAS, Douglas County fosters a strong sense of community through annual events
such as A Taste of Douglasville, the Hunter Harvest Arts and Crafts Festival, Pioneer Days,
the Kris Kringle Market and Tour of Homes, and New Manchester Days; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Douglas County take great pride in their community's rich
history, continued growth, and contributions to the State of Georgia, making it abundantly
fitting and proper that it be appropriately honored during this special time.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
recognize February 27, 2025, as Douglas County Day at the state capitol.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the
press.