SR794: SR794 Douglas County Day; recognize February 24, 2026

26 LC 129 1134 Senate Resolution 794 By: Senators James of the 28th, Rhett of the 33rd, Anderson of the 43rd, Davenport of the 17th, Orrock of the 36th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing February 24, 2026, as Douglas County Day at the sta te capitol; and for other1 purposes.2 WHEREAS, Douglas County, Georgia, the state's 133rd county, was created on October 17,3 1870, and named in honor of Stephen A. Douglas, the Illinois st atesman who ran against4 Abraham Lincoln in the 1860 presidential election; and5 WHEREAS, carved out of Campbell and Carroll counties, Douglas County encompasses 1996 square miles and has grown into one of the 50 fastest-growing counties in the United States7 due to its proximity to Atlanta and access to the famous Interstate 20 corridor; and8 WHEREAS, Douglasville, the county seat, was officially established on February 25, 1875,9 and was originally known as "Skinned" or "Skint" Chestnut in re ference to a prominent10 chestnut tree used as a Native American marker; and11 WHEREAS, Douglas County has a rich indigenous history, once inhabited by the Creek and12 Cherokee peoples, with numerous Mississippian burial mounds and Native American13 artifacts found throughout the area; and14 S. R. 794 - 1 - 26 LC 129 1134 WHEREAS, in 1881, the Georgia Western Railroad, later acquired by the Pacific Railway15 Company, began construction of a rail line that would connect A tlanta to Birmingham,16 Alabama, establishing Douglas County as a key transportation hub; and17 WHEREAS, Douglas County is home to Sweetwater Creek State Park, a beloved natural18 resource offering fishing, boating, and hiking, as well as the historic ruins of the New19 Manchester Manufacturing Company, which was destroyed by Union troops during20 Sherman's March to the Sea in 1864; and21 WHEREAS, the county prioritizes education, hosting a satellite campus of West Georgia22 Technical College and a branch of Mercer University, providing residents with valuable23 higher education opportunities; and24 WHEREAS, Douglas County fosters a strong sense of community thr ough annual events25 such as A Taste of Douglasville, the Hunter Harvest Arts and Crafts Festival, Pioneer Days,26 the Kris Kringle Market and Tour of Homes, and New Manchester Days; and27 WHEREAS, the citizens of Douglas County take great pride in the ir community's rich28 history, continued growth, and contributions to the State of Georgia, making it abundantly29 fitting and proper that it be appropriately honored during this special time.30 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body31 recognize February 24, 2026, as Douglas County Day at the state capitol.32 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed33 to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the34 press.35 S. R. 794 - 2 -