Pickens County was created from Cherokee and Gilmer counties on Dec. 5, 1853 by an act of the General Assembly (Ga. Laws 1853-54, p. 306). Additional portions of Cherokee County were transferred to Pickens County in 1869, as were parts of Gilmer County in 1858 and 1863. No counties have been created from Pickens County, but areas of the county were transferred to Dawson County (1857), Gordon County (1860), and Cherokee County (1870).

Georgia's 101st county was named for Gen. Andrew Pickens (1739-1817), who gained fame during the American Revolution for his victories over the British in South Carolina and Georgia. Late in the war, Pickens also led a campaign in north Georgia against the Cherokee Indians, who had sided with the British in the Revolution. In Oct. 1782, after a victory against the Cherokee, he forced them to sign a treaty at Long Swamp (located in today's Pickens County) in which the Cherokees agreed to give up claims to land between the Savannah and Chattahoochee rivers.

Historical Maps

 

1855

 

1863

 

1864

 

1865

 

1874

 

1883

 

1885a

 

1885b

 

1895

 

1899

 

1904

 

1910

 

1915

 

1952

 

1955

 

1970a

 

1970b

 

1999

 

2001a

 

2001b

Go to Historical Atlas of Georgia Counties

Go to Pickens County Courthouse page