Cooperville was a center of religious, educational, and social activity for Southeast Georgia prior to the War Between the States. It was established by William Cooper about 1790 when he acquired the 1100 acres originally granted to Nobel Jones. His home, later enlarged by his brother George Cooper, stood about 1/2 mile west of the site. The village was home to Wilson C. Cooper, the educator who established Cooper College 1/4 mile east; George Cooper the Second, inventor of the Cooper plow; William Cooper, the Baptist minister whose imposing home stood nearby; Dr. T.B. Cooper, the educator and Baptist minister; and J. Randolph Cooper, the Confederate officer.