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President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited Gainesville in
1938 to re-dedicate the City that was virtually destroyed
by a Tornado on April 6, 1936.
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Established as "Mule Camp Springs" near the crossing
of two Indian trails followed by settlers in the 1800s, the City
of Gainesville has maintained and built upon its historical legacy
as a regional transportation and trade center for almost two centuries.
Less than three years after the creation of Hall County, the village
of Mule Camp Springs was chosen to serve as the site of government
for the new county and was chartered by the Georgia Legislature
on November 30, 1821.
At the suggestion of Justice John Vance Cotter, it was given the
name "Gainesville" in honor of General Edmund P. Gaines,
a hero of the War of 1812 and a noted military surveyor and roadbuilder.
Gainesville has been a part of the nation's governmental framework
longer than 26 of the 50 states.
Gainesville operates under a Council-Manager form of government.
Every two years the Council elects two members to serve as Mayor
and Mayor Pro-Tem respectively. They are the Chairman and Vice Chairman
of the legislative body, which is composed of a Mayor and four council
members, and is responsible for enacting ordinances, resolutions,
and regulations governing the City, as well as appointing the members
of various statutory and advisory boards, and the City Manager,
City Clerk, and City Attorney.
Under the guidance of the City Manager and the Council, the City
provides a full range of services. These services include police
and fire protection; the maintenance of streets and infrastructure;
parks; recreational activities and cultural events; planning, zoning,
and building inspection services; water and water pollution control
services; and an airport.
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April 21, 1821- The town formerly known as Mule Camp Springs
was chartered as Gainesville
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November 30, 1821 - Gainesville officially Chartered by the
Georgia Legislature
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1828 - The Gold Rush frenzy began in nearby Lumpkin County
bringing an influx of new settlers and the beginnings of a
business community
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1849 - Gainesville established as a resort center
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1851- Fire destroyed much of Gainesville
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May 28, 1871- Airline Railroad, later named the Southern,
ushered in a new era of progress
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1870-1900 - City population increases from one-thousand to
five-thousand
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February 22, 1873- City services begin with the election
of a City Marshal
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June 14, 1875 - Solid Waste Collection begins in the City
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1875 - General James Longstreet purchased the Piedmont Hotel
near the railroad depot in anticipation of the Atlanta-Washington
railroad opening
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Spring 1890 - A bond issue to fund the waterworks passes
and the original water distribution system totals some 5 1/2
miles
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1898 - Textiles run the economy thanks in part to the railroad
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December 19, 1902- Gainesville became the first city south
of Baltimore to have street lights
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January 1, 1903- A cyclone struck Gainesville leaving 106
people dead, 300 injured and property damage estimated at
$750,000
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March 1, 1905- City free mail delivery began
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November, 1909-The square and streets adjoining for one block
were paved
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August 10, 1910- The Gainesville post office opened
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December 22, 1915- The formal opening of the City's first
skyscraper, the Jackson Building which is still standing today
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March 12, 1919- Southern Bell removed the poles and wires
from the square
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April 6, 1936- Gainesville knocked flat by a tornado and
again was reborn a bigger and more beautiful town
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1937 and 1939 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt Visited Gainesville
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After World War II- A visionary named Jesse Jewell started
what was to become the state's largest agricultural crop-
poultry. The $1,000,000,000 a year industry has given Gainesville
the title "Poultry Capital of the World."
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1957 - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers construct Lake Sidney
Lanier which currently covers more than 38,000 acres and is
the most visited Corps lake in the nation with an economic
impact of more than $2 Billion annually
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July 1996 - Gainesville served as the Rowing/Kayaking Venue
for the 1996 Olympics. During the Olympics Gainesville was
named Hospitality Capital of the World by an NBC Broadcaster
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October 1997 - TV 18, The Government Channel begins broadcasting
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January 2000- Gainesville named City of Excellence by the
Georgia Municipal Association and Georgia Trend Magazine
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January 2001 - The Red Rabbit Public Transportation System
begins operation with three buses and four mini-buses
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In a relatively short period of time, Gainesville has grown from
virgin forest to become the trade, economic, industrial, medical,
cultural and recreational center of Northeast Georgia. In Gainesville
we believe there are no limits for our future.
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