Greensboro, GA

Incorporated in 1803

Greensboro is a city that is filled with tradition, heritage, and southern hospitality; Greene County was formed by a Georgia Legislative Act on February 3, 1786 in honor of Revolutionary hero Nathaniel Greene. The same Legislative Act also created the City of Greensboro (formerly spelled Greenesborough) as the county seat of Greene County, Georgia.

When the city was formed it was filled with rugged terrain, wild life, Creek, Cherokee, and Chickasaw Indians, settlers, freedman, and slaves. Developing the City of Greensboro was not an easy task. However, the early leaders were not discouraged for they were determined that this would be their home.

In 1787 Greenesborough was burned by the Creek Indians. Many citizens were killed, many were wounded, and many were taken prisoners by the Creeks. This scene is depicted in a mural in the Greensboro Post Office. Yet the early settlers were valiant and not easily discouraged.

Prior to the Civil War Greensborough was very prosperous and the spelling of Greenesborough was changed to Greensboro. In 1833 the Georgia Legislative granted a charter to build a railroad from Augusta to Athens. Cotton at this time was King and filled many of the railroad cars with wagons of cotton from Greensboro and surrounding counties.

In 1836 two men from Connecticut Josiah Davis and his nephew Orville Barber sold their clock factory in Bristol Connecticut and established their business Davis-Barber in Greensboro making clocks. The clocks were assembled by slaves in a factory which was located where the Greensboro City Hall is presently located. In the 1830’s and 1840’s several mills were constructed. In 1863 Leech & Rigdon opened a successful pistol factory making and repairing guns for the Confederacy.

The very first water works system and sewer lines were installed in the early 1900’s. Before the system was installed the City of Greensboro acquired their water supply from three springs that were located throughout downtown.

The courthouse has always been located in the same site. It was first constructed of logs. The present courthouse was built and since has been restored and a new addition has been added. The original jail was built in 1906. ( Old Goal). The town’s paper the Herald Journal began in 1872.

Greensboro is celebrated for its historic homes, many of Greek Revival design and the Plantation Plain house. The beauty of Greensboro’s unhurried, tree-shaded streets and its Southern charm are qualities matched only by the warm and gracious spirit of its citizens.