History

Clayton County was formed in 1858 from parts of Fayette and Henry counties. Georgia's 125th county was named for Judge Augustin S. Clayton, who held the county's first sessions of the superior court and later served in both the Georgia House of Representatives and Senate.

Jonesboro, the county seat, was originally called Leaksville. When the Central Railroad line reached the town, the name was changed to honor Captain Samuel G. Jones, one of the line's surveying engineers.

The Battle of Jonesboro marked the end of the Atlanta Campaign during the Civil War. When Federal troops seized control of the railroad in Jonesboro, all supplies to Atlanta were cut off.

Points of Interest

Hartsfield International Airport, ranked as the world's fourth busiest, is in Clayton County. It is now home to the largest International Concourse in the country. With a job base of 38,000, the airport is the largest employment center in the state.

The Clayton County Water Authority maintains one of the most innovative and successful wastewater treatment systems in the world. Visitors from all over the world come to tour the Clayton County water facilities to learn more about the county's Land Application System. The county uses a natural land application process to purify wastewater while fertilizing acres of forest and producing a marketable pelletized fertilizer.

Higher Education

Clayton College and State University

Annual Events

Several festivals are presented throughout the year, including the Battle of Jonesboro Re-enactment and the Fall Festival. Tours are also available at the Stately Oaks and Ashley Oaks plantation houses.

Hartsfield Internation Airport

Stately Oaks