Johnson County

Johnson County, the one hundred twenty-ninth county organized in the state, was created from Emanuel, Laurens, and Washington counties in 1858. It had been part of the land ceded in 1773 to form the headright county of Washington. The name honors Hershel V. Johnson, a former Georgia governor and senator. Wrightsville, the county seat, was named for John B. Wright, a pioneer resident.

Johnson is said to be the first county in the state to enforce prohibition.

The county's irregular southern boundary is due to a personal feud between an influential resident of the town of Adrian and his county commissioner in Emanuel County. Vowing that he wouldn't live in the same county with the commissioner, the townsman persuaded his friends in the General Assembly to change the boundary of Johnson County. They obliged him and put part of the town in Johnson.

The Jefferson/Johnson county line follows the route of the Old Sunbury Road, one of the longest thoroughfares of its time. Laid out in the 1790s, it connected the coastal port of Sunbury with Swainsboro, Sparta, and Greensboro.

A greatly outnumbered group of Confederate home guards held off a wing of Union General Sherman's invading army for two days at Bells Ferry in November, 1864. They retreated only when ammunition ran out.

Source: Foundations of Government - The Georgia Counties, Association County Commissioners of Georgia, 1976.

Latest News in this County:

Barrow to Host “Congress on the Corner” in Emanuel, Treutlen, Johnson, and Washington Counties

February 3, 2010

Barrow to Host “Congress on the Corner” in Wrightsville, Louisville, and Waynesboro 

August 21, 2009

This Saturday, August 29, Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) will be hosting “Congress on the
Corner” in Wrightsville, Louisville, and Waynesboro. “Congress on the Corner” is an
opportunity for citizens to meet one-on-one with Congressman Barrow and to talk about what’s
going on in Washington.

Barrow Announces $32,375,000 in Direct Allocations of Recovery Zone Bonds for Communities in Georgia’s 12th District

June 12, 2009

Washington, D.C. - Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) announced today that the U.S. Treasury Department has made $25 billion in bond authority available under the Recovery Zone Bonds program.  Of that money, $32,375,000 will be available to communities in Georgia's 12th District.  Recovery Zone Bonds were created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which Congress passed and President Obama signed into law earlier this year.  Recovery Zone Bonds are targeted to areas particularly affected by job loss.  They will help local governments obtain financing for much needed economic development projects, such as public infrastructure development, at lower borrowing costs.

GEORGIA’S 12TH DISTRICT AWARDED $266,319 IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER PROGRAM

April 9, 2009

Washington, D.C. - Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) announced today that $266,319 has been awarded to the 12th District of Georgia by the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP).  Federal funds totaling $100 million were made available to the EFSP, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, to bring immediate relief to communities to address unemployment, poverty, and other needs during the economic crisis.

Barrow Announces 12th District Schools to Receive an Estimated $70.9 Million

April 1, 2009

Washington, D.C. - Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) announced today that an estimated $70,969,000 in emergency education funding has been released for schools in Georgia's 12th District to help save education-related jobs and maintain programs for low-income students and students with disabilities. Schools in the 12th District will receive an estimated $42,376,000 in Title I funds and $28,593,000 in IDEA funds. 

Barrow Announces $2.3 million in Recovery Act Funds for Crime Prevention Efforts

March 12, 2009

Washington, DC - Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) announced that Georgia's 12th Congressional District will receive close to $2.3 million in Recovery Act 2009 funding for law enforcement assistance through the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.

Barrow Announces $76,700 Grant for Wrightsville Fire Department

February 27, 2009

Washington, DC - Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) announced today that the Wrightsville Fire Department will receive a $76,700 Fiscal Year 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG).   The grant award is being made by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.  The Wrightsville Fire Department will be able to use these funds for training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness, and health and safety modifications to the fire station.