History

Irwin County, the 45th county created, retains only a small portion of the territory given to it when it was formed from Creek Indian lands in 1818. It once encompassed all of south central Georgia, but now contains the upper reaches of the Alapaha, Willacoochee and Satilla rivers.

Irwin County was named for Governor Jared Irwin, a North Carolina native. Irwin was famous for his opposition to the Yazoo Law of 1795, by which the state of Georgia sold a vast tract of land at one and a half cents per acre to several companies, including one owned in part by a U.S. Senator. Irwin rescinded the law in 1796 during his term as governor.

During the Civil War, Irwinville to the northeast of Ocilla was the county seat, and the location where Union soldiers captured Jefferson Davis. The site is now the Jefferson Davis Park and Museum.

Ocilla is a version of an old Indian name, Osceola. The county's first courthouse was constructed in 1848-1849, and the one currently in use was built in 1905.

Points of Interest

There are two entries on the National Register from Irwin County: the Irwin County Courthouse and the Jefferson Davis Capture Site.

There are several endangered species found in the county, including the Florida Panther, the Peregrine Falcon and the Southern Bald Eagle.

Notable Citizens

Dave Prater of the soul group, Sam and Dave, was from Ocilla. This soul duo was responsible for hits like "You Don't Know" Like I Know" during the 1960s.

Royal Singing Convention Memorial

Jefferson Davis Memorial Park