Gwinnett County Creation

The Georgia Legislature authorized the creation of Gwinnett County in 1818 and named it after Button Gwinnett, one of three Georgia signers of the Declaration of Independence, though he never lived in the county. The county's first meetings, court proceedings, and elections were held at the home of Elisha and Philadelphia Winn, which is today the oldest surviving building in the county and the site of the annual Elisha Winn Festival hosted by the Gwinnett Historical Society. Elisha Winn served in many community roles and helped select the central location for the courthouse and jail on Land Lot 146, which he purchased for $200. Lawrenceville became the county seat in 1821.

Lawrenceville, Georgia · United States