Settlement of the Carmel community began with the creation of Meriwether County in 1827. Early families—Caldwell, Burton, Campson, Gray, Reynolds, Williams, Pope, and Glass—came from Edgefield District, South Carolina. They established Carmel Academy, churches, a cotton gin, blacksmith shop, general merchandise and farm supply store, millinery, lace business, post office, cane syrup mill, and a pottery. Carmel native Harmon White Caldwell (1899-1977) became Dean of Lumpkin Law School, President of the University of Georgia, and Chancellor of the University System of Georgia.