After the Civil War, railroads came to Gwinnett County, and new cities emerged along the rails, including Buford, Duluth, Norcross, and Suwanee. Confederate veteran Bonaparte Allen moved to Buford and opened a tannery that became world famous for its shoes, saddles, and horse collars. During the difficult 1930s, people called Buford the "Depression-Proof City." Cotton was the chief cash crop in Gwinnett County from the 1800s to the 1920s, and in addition to larger cotton mills, small grist mills were an important part of the early economy. Following World War II, many farmers turned to dairy and poultry production, and by 1957 Georgia was the nation's leading producer of poultry. As metro Atlanta grew, Gwinnett farmland soon became residential subdivisions for suburban commuters. By 1965, Interstate 85 connected Atlanta to South Carolina through Gwinnett, and low land prices brought in warehouses and distribution centers along the corridor. In the early 1970s, Gwinnett became known as the home of a Western Electric plant and laboratory that became the world's largest maker of copper cable for the telephone industry. A growing population, great quality of life, and business-friendly government drew many more companies, including dozens of international businesses attracted by Gwinnett's diverse workforce.