Our History

Here in Emanuel County, our history runs as deep as the roots of our towering pines. We were established on December 10, 1812, as Georgia’s 34th county, carved out of the wild frontier lands of Bulloch and Montgomery counties. Named for Governor David Emanuel, a Revolutionary War hero and one of Georgia’s earliest leaders, we’ve been standing strong for more than two centuries.

From the very beginning, this land has been about resilience, community, and opportunity. Long before we became a county, the Lower Creek Indians called this place home. They fished in the Ohoopee, Ogeechee, and Canoochee Rivers, hunted wild game, and left behind traces of their lives in arrowheads and artifacts. While treaties brought change, the Creek people’s presence is forever etched into our soil.

From Colonies to Counties

Our story is rooted in Georgia’s earliest days. Back in 1733, General James Oglethorpe founded the colony of Georgia on the bluffs of Savannah. The colony was more than just a settlement—it was a buffer, a promise to keep the Spanish, French, and others at bay. Contrary to what you might hear, Oglethorpe’s settlers were not a band of outcasts but well-prepared citizen-soldiers determined to build a better life.

By the mid-18th century, settlers from Savannah and the Carolinas began moving westward, drawn by the promise of fertile land and thriving fur trade routes. Over time, parishes became counties, and in 1812, we were born. Our creation was championed by state senator Stephen Swain, whose vision helped shape the community we are today.

Building Our Heart

It didn’t take long to establish our center. In 1814, commissioners were tasked with choosing a site for public buildings, and they found it on the highest hill near Steve Rich’s horse lot, just outside Modoc. At 317 feet above sea level, that hill became our home, Swainsboro, which we officially named in 1822. Though we briefly flirted with the name “Paris” in 1854, Swainsboro remains our heart—the Crossroads of the Great South, the sole intersection of U.S. Highways 1 and 80. 

Our First Families

Our earliest citizens were pioneers and patriots, many of whom served in the Revolutionary War. Names like Moore, Stephens, Durden, and Edenfield were among the first to settle here, clearing land and laying the foundation for what we’ve become. These men and women relied on faith, grit, and the resources of this land to build a future.

Families built homes, communities, and places of worship—because faith has always been at the center of who we are. Churches rose up across the countryside, offering solace and strength to our growing population.

Our Economy: From Timber to Cotton, through Dirt and Rail Roads Alike

As the years passed, we became known for our natural resources. Our forests gave rise to a thriving timber industry, while cotton became king across our fields. Railroads soon followed, connecting our farms and sawmills to larger markets and helping our towns grow.

The Old Sunbury Road, one of Georgia’s earliest thoroughfares, played a vital role in connecting us to the coast and beyond. Later, rail lines transformed Swainsboro, Twin City, Stillmore, and other communities into bustling hubs of trade and industry.

In 1946, we established the Pine Tree Festival to honor the forestry industry that built so much of what we are today. It’s a tradition we’ve kept alive, blending history with celebration every year.

Preserving Our Stories

We’re proud of where we come from, and we work hard to preserve our story. Through the efforts of our Emanuel County Historic Preservation Society, artifacts from our early days—tools, records, and photographs—are safeguarded for future generations. Historical markers tell the stories of Revolutionary War soldiers, our early settlers, and landmarks like the Josiah Davis House.

Twin City, with its historic district showcasing the legacy of Summit and Graymont, is one of the many places where our past comes to life. From Canoochee to Modoc, every corner of Emanuel County holds a piece of who we are.

A Legacy That Endures

Our history is more than names and dates; it’s a living legacy. It’s in the faith that fills our churches, the hard work of farmers and foresters, and the warm hospitality that welcomes every visitor. From our earliest days as Creek territory to our role as an agricultural and industrial hub, we’ve always been a place where resilience, community, and progress come together.

This is our story, and we’re still writing it. Whether you’re passing through or planting roots here, we invite you to be a part of it.