Terrell County History

On Feb. 12, 1825, a group of Creek Indians led by William McIntosh signed the Treaty of Indian Springs, in which they ceded all of their remaining lands in present day Georgia for $28,000.00. Subsequently, in an act of June 9, 1825, the General Assembly provided that the land ceded by the treaty be divided into five sections, surveyed into districts and land lots, and distributed by land lottery. On Dec. 14, 1826, the legislature redesignated the five land sections as the counties of Lee, Muscogee, Troup, Coweta, and Carroll and provided for their organization. Despite the fact that the five counties were not named until Dec. 14, 1826, the date their respective boundaries were established -- June 9, 1825 -- is generally accepted as the date of their creation. Because the five counties were provided for in the same act, their order of creation is based on the order they were mentioned in the act -- Lee, Muscogee, Troup, Coweta, and Carroll. Randolph County was created from Lee in 1828. The early settlers found it impossible at times to get to the county seats of the above counties crossing Kinchafoonee Creek to get to Webster and Lee Counties and Cuthbert across Ichawaynochaway. So, on February 16, 1856, the Georgia Legislature created the new County of Terrell from portions of Randolph and Lee Counties, which was named for the eminent Physician and Statesman, Dr. William Terrell (1778-1855) of Hancock County. Terrell County contains 322 square miles and lies in the southwestern part of the State of Georgia.

Terrell County Historic Preservation Society (TCHPS)

TCHPS is committed to promoting historic preservation and encouraging restoration of individual properties as well as historic districts in Dawson and Terrell County. TCHPS can offer advice on restoration and preservation techniques to those interested. We believe preservation and restoration are a form of civic pride.

For a list and a photo gallery of Historic Homes in Terrell County: Click Here

Events Held by TCHPS

Terrell County Tour of Historic Homes

Each year, the first weekend in May, the Terrell County Historic Preservation Society hosts a Tour of homes, featuring a selection of Terrell County's most unique structures.

For a list and a photo gallery of Historic Homes in Terrell County: Click Here

Quilt Show
The Terrell County History Museum hosts a quilt show. Many of the quilts are lovingly crafted in Terrell County by some of our local residents. The quilt show has proven to be quite popular due to its informative and educational nature. The Terrell County History Museum is a project of TCHPS.

TCHPS Fall Festival
Held in September.

General Meetings
Each year TCHPS hosts an annual general meeting, in October. This event is open to the public and is an opportunity for current members as well as prospective members to socialize and get to know other preservation-minded individuals. TCHPS officer elections are conducted at the November meeting.

Progressive Dinner
Celebrate the Christmas season with TCHPS! The TCHPS Annual Progressive Dinner is a semi-formal event that takes place each December. The dinner consists of three courses, each served at a different location. The locations are often those that have previously been featured on the Terrell County Tour of Homes. This event is open to members only.

For more information:
Email: [email protected]
Website: Click Here

Terrell County Courthouse

Terrell County Courthouse - c. 1892

This High Victorian style courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was constructed in 1892 at a cost of $36,832.00. It stands as one of the tallest historic courthouses in Georgia and features many intricate architectural details that reflect its significance, including, the turreted clock tower, Romanesque arches, an onion domed turret and a Palladian window. Materials from within the state were used whenever possible for the construction, such as Georgia clay for the bricks, Georgia granite, and Georgia pines for the structure and floors. The courthouse is an icon for the area, standing in the center square of Dawson.

Terrell County, Georgia Markers