A Brief Introduction to the History of Fulton County
Fulton County was created by an act of the Georgia General
Assembly on December 20, 1853 out of a western part of DeKalb
County. Although popular folklore says the county was named
for Robert Fulton, many local historians believe the name developed
to honor Hamilton Fulton. Hamilton Fulton was, at one time,
the Chief Engineer for the state. He also surveyed a railroad
route through what is now Fulton County.
In 1932, Fulton County more than tripled in size, first with
the annexations of Milton and Campbell counties that took effect
on January 1, 1932. Still, later in the year, the Roswell Militia
district, including the city of Roswell, was transferred from
Cobb County to Fulton. This took effect in May of 1932. These
mergers took place under a State legislative program known as
“Bigger and Better Counties”. After the merger of
Milton, Campbell, and Fulton counties, the state program faded
into obscurity.
Milton County had been created in 1847 out of territory taken
from Cherokee, Cobb, and Forsyth Counties. The county was named
in honor of John Milton, a revolutionary war hero in Georgia.
Campbell County was created in 1828 out of territory from: Carroll,
Coweta, DeKalb, and Fayette counties. It was named in honor
of state legislator Colonel Duncan G. Campbell.
The origins of Atlanta resulted from the construction of the
Western and Atlantic Railroad. The center of the city marks
the southern point of the road. Around this southern point,
the city, originally known as “Terminus”, grew.
In 1843 the community name was changed to “Marthasville”
in honor of the daughter of then Governor Wilson Lumpkin. Still,
again in 1845, the name was changed to “Atlanta”
which was intended to be the feminization of the word Atlantic.
Welcome to the Fulton County, GAGenWeb page. My name is Tony Hayes and I am the Fulton County Coordinator. I hope the information you find here is helpful
in your genealogical research.
We are always looking for ways to improve this site. If you have items you wish
to contribute please
contact me!
State Coordinator Vivian
Price Saffold Assistant State
Coordinator Linda Blum Barton
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