Jefferson County

Jefferson County was created from Burke and Warren counties in 1796, becoming the twenty-third county. Its territory had been part of two headright counties: Richmond and Burke. The county was named for President Thomas Jefferson, the county seat, Louisville, for King Louis XVI of France.

George Galphin, who came from Armagh, Ireland, established a trading post in the 1750s near an Indian settlement known as "Old Town." Galphin developed great influence among the Creek Indians of this region. In 1785 the Creeks ceded to the State of Georgia the land between the Altamaha and the St. Mary's rivers, meeting at Galphinton, the trading post, to sign the treaty.

Louisville was the Georgia capital from 1796 until 1806, succeeding Savannah and Augusta. The present county courthouse is built on the site of the old state capitol, and many of the materials salvaged from the capitol were used in the courthouse which remains today one of the most distinguished governmental buildings in the state.

In front of the courthouse is a marker commemorating the burning of the Yazoo Fraud papers. What amounted to a gigantic land fraud was negotiated in 1795 wherein some thirty-five million acres of Georgia land was sold for a half-cent per acre. The act creating the land sale was rescinded in 1796.

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 Richmond, Burke, and Jefferson Counties

February 11, 2010

Barrow Announces 2010 Rural Listening Tour Town Hall Meetings

December 23, 2009

Congressman Barrow will meet with local farmers/members of rural communities to talk about their concerns and discuss what's been going on up in Washington

Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) has announced the schedule for his 2010 Rural Listening Tour.  The 2010 Tour is planned for Tuesday, January 5, Wednesday, January 6, Thursday, January 7, and Friday, January 8.  It will include town hall meetings in 10 counties, with stops in Burke, Warren, Glascock, Washington, Jefferson, Evans, Bulloch, Candler, Emanuel, and Tattnall Counties.  Congressman Barrow will also tour farms and other facilities along the way.

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 VOTES TO BOOST CRIME PREVENTION, SPUR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

June 18, 2009

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) voted in favor of bipartisan legislation that invests in two of our nation's top priorities - protecting Americans at home and spurring scientific research and innovation. The Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill invests in programs that help local and state governments keep their citizens safe. It also funds research and development programs that facilitate scientific innovation and discovery. In order to save money and fund higher-priority programs, the bill eliminates 11 programs and cuts funding for another 13 programs below the 2009 level. 

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.

Louisville Native Luke Moses Named Congressman John Barrow's Legislative Assistant

January 7, 2009

Washington, DC - Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) announced today that Louisville native Luke Moses will serve as his Legislative Assistant for the 111th Congress.  Moses will handle a broad range of legislative issues, including agriculture, homeland security, and veterans affairs.