Earliest History

The idea of creating the college currently known today as the University of Georgia was approved in 1784 and the college charter was approved a year later in 1785 - both being supported by acts of legislature. However, taking an idea and creating a reality is often a daunting task, especially on the grand scale of forming a college. This being said, the University of Georgia was founded in 1801, almost twenty years later, when the Board of Trustees composed of John Milledge, Abraham Baldwin, George Walton, John Twiggs, and Hugh Lawson decided to designate land near the north fork of the Oconee River for the University of Georgia. The chosen land was perfect. The designated plot of land to be built upon was conveniently surrounded by water and fish, a flower, saw, and common grist mill, as well as plenty of timber. Moreover, the forest land was an extravagant hunting ground - providing a steady food source for the soon to be college and neighboring town. Josiah Meigs, the college president, created a clearing in the forest for the campus. Campus construction began shortly afterward. Building the college was as easy as building a college could be, as many of the necessary building components were within a nearby vicinity. Furthermore, the college had already begun earning money by renting and selling some of the initial 633 acres composing the entirety of the campus. As plots of land were rented and sold, the community surrounding the college began to flourish. Streets were paved. Shops were constructed. Bridges were built. From there, the ever-expanding college campus intermingled and supported the ever-growing community known today as Athens.

Citations

Baldwin, Abraham. Minutes of the University of Georgia Board of Trustees. Vol. 1, 1817.

“History of UGA.” University of Georgia, www.uga.edu/history.php.

Hull, Augustus Longstreet, and Henry Hull. Annals of Athens, Georgia, 1801-1901. Heritage Papers, 2014.

“University Archives.” University Archives :: Hargrett Library :: University of Georgia Libraries, www.libs.uga.edu/hargrett/archives/.