DeKalb County was established on Dec. 9, 1822 by an act of the General Assembly (Ga. Laws 1822, p. 21). Created from portions of Fayette and Gwinnett counties, Georgia's 54th county was named for Baron Johann DeKalb, who served as a major general in the Continental Army and was wounded in the Battle of Camden, South Carolina.

In 1853, Fulton County was created entirely from DeKalb County (Ga. Laws 1853-54. p. l300). Portions of DeKalb were used to create Campbell County (1828) and Cherokee County (1831) and were also transferred to the following existing counties: Coweta (1826), Gwinnett (1840), Milton (1859), and Rockdale (1875).

Historical Maps

 

1823

 

1830

 

1834

 

1839

 

1846

 

1855

 

1863

 

1864

 

1865

 

1874

 

1883

 

1885a

 

1885b

 

1895

 

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1904

 

1910

 

1915

 

1952

 

1955

 

1970a

 

1970b

 

1999

 

2001a

 

2001b

Go to Historical Atlas of Georgia Counties

Go to DeKalb County Courthouse page