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Georgia Counties
Georgia is divided into one hundred and fifty-nine counties. The original eight counties of the State of Georgia were Burke, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Richmond and Wilkes all created on February 5, 1777. The last new county to be established in Georgia was Peach County, established in 1924.Webster County, Georgia
Webster County Education, Geography, and History
Webster County is a county located in the state of Georgia. Based on the 2010 census, reflected a population of 2,799, making it the third-least populous county in Georgia. Webster County was created on December 16, 1853. The county seat is Preston. The county is named in honor of Daniel Webster (1782-1852), U.S. Secretary of State, supported Henry Clay's Compromise of 1850.
Etymology - Origin of Webster County Name
Georgia's 103rd county originally had an Indian name, Kinchafoonee, for a principal creek that crosses it. After outsiders made fun of the name, the county's citizens petitioned to change it to honor Daniel Webster.
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Webster County History
Webster County was created in 1853 from part of Stewart County. Georgia's 103rd county originally had an Indian name, Kinchafoonee, for a principal creek that crosses it. After outsiders made fun of the name, the county's citizens petitioned to change it to honor Daniel Webster.
The first Confederate flag to fly in Georgia was raised on the Webster County Courthouse lawn in 1861. At the end of the war, Union troops cut down and destroyed the flagpole.
For a short period during World War II, the belvedere atop the courthouse was used to watch for any enemy aircraft that might be headed toward nearby Fort Benning.
Points of Interest
Preston, the county seat, was known as Lannahassee and was the first white settlement after Creek Indians left the area. When the county was created, its name changed to honor William O. Preston of South Carolina.
Endangered species found in Webster County are the southern bald eagle and the red-cockaded woodpecker.
Notable Citizens
Walter F. George, who served as a US Senator for 34 years, ambassador to NATO, and a special advisor to President Dwight D. Eisenhower, was born near Preston in 1878.
Geography: Land and Water
As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 210 square miles (540 km2), of which 209 square miles (540 km2) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2) (0.5%) is water.
Webster county is located in southwest Georgia. The county is in the Flint River basin.
Neighboring Counties
Bordering counties are as follows:
- North: Marion County
- East: Sumter County
- Southeast: Terrell County
- Southwest: Randolph County
- West: Stewart County
Education
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