According to a map titled "Plan of Donalson" dated April 1889, the town was laid out by John Earnest Donalson. On December 8, 1897, a charter signed by Governor William Yates Atkinson incorporated the town of Donalsonville, with Thomas Chason appointed mayor and John E. Donalson, W. B. King, S. D. Cherry, and R. D. Carr appointed as aldermen. The charter was amended on August 12, 1922, and the name was changed to City of Donalsonville.