History of Milledgeville

central location in the state and its ample water supply. The town was planned to follow the design of Washington D.C. and Savannah, Georgia and included four public squares designated specific purposes, the remaining streets were laid out in a checkerboard style. Located on the fall line of the Oconee River, Milledgeville is the only city in the U.S., with the exception of Washington D.C., actually designed to be a Capital city. Milledgeville served as the State Capital from 1803 until 1868, when the capital was moved to Atlanta during Reconstruction.

As the political center of Georgia during her reign as State Capital, Milledgeville attracted many notable Georgians and renowned visitors. In 1861, secession was declared and Gov. Joe Brown directed Georgia's war efforts until 1864 when General Sherman of the Union Army passed through Milledgeville on his way across Georgia to Savannah. For two days his Army seized the town, burning government buildings and documents, but sparing most of the areas homes.

With the removal of the Capital to Atlanta, Milledgeville experienced an economic downturn. But by the late 19th and early 20th century, improved lighting, streets, telephone and water supply encouraged new building and commerce. This slow economic growth contributed to a wealth of well preserved Federal-style architecture, enhanced by noteworthy Greek Revival, Victorian, and Classic Revival houses that can be found throughout the city today.

Milledgeville is proud today to be a Main-Street City and a center of attraction on Georgia's Antebellum Trail