History

Cherokee County was formed in 1830 from lands previously held by the Cherokee Indians. Its 6,900 square miles were subsequently divided into 24 other counties.

One interesting historical site is the Crescent Farm, named for the curve in the Etowah River that partially encircles it. A.L. Coggins, original owner of the farm, was a Georgia pioneer in the harness racing industry; the farm became famous for its world-class race horse, Abbedale. The stable, Rock Barn, has never been moved from its original site.

Canton, the county seat, was named after the city in China. Canton's founders attempted to establish silk production; the name, however, is the only thing that survived the venture.

Points of Interest

Lake Allatoona, a 12,010-acre lake, is the center of recreational activities in Cherokee County. The lake was built in 1950 and today provides power for more than 2,000 homes in the area. It is best known for the many recreational opportunities it provides its visitors. With more than 12,000 acres of water surface available, Allatoona is large enough to accommodate a variety of activities.

Notable Citizens

Some of the notable people who have called Cherokee County home include two state governors, Joseph E. Brown and Joseph M. Brown, and two Rhodes Scholars, Dean Rusk and Eugene Booth. Rusk was the Secretary of State under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, and held that office for longer than any other person except Cordell Hull. The world famous golfer Bobby Jones, and singer, writer and pianist, Lee Roy Abernathy, also hail from the county.

Higher Education

Reinhardt College

Annual Events

Some of the festivals and special events in Cherokee County include: Riverfest held in late September, the Indian Festival and Pow Wow held in May, and Woodstock's Concert in the Park held the first Friday in June, July, August and September.

Lake Allatoona

Crescent Farm, Canton