Meriwether County History

Meriwether County, GA is the home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Little White House" and Warm Springs, the therapeutic pools used by President Roosevelt and others in the 1930's and 1940's. The Little White House, currently operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, draws over 100,000 visitors annually.

The Warm Springs have a constant temperature of 98.5 degrees and have been known to be therapeutic by the Indians long before white settlers were in the area. The pools, used for the therapy of those physically challenged due to illness or injury are operated by The Warm Springs Foundation and are open to the public.

Meriwether County, GA was organized in 1827 by carving a section out of the existing Troup County, and is the birthplace of three Georgia Governors -William Y. Atkinson (1894-1898), Joseph M. Terrell (1902-1907), and John M. Slaton (1911-12, 1913-15). Meriwether County is named for General David Meriwether (1755-1823), a Revolutionary soldier, state militiaman, State Legislator and Congressman. With his unusual influence with the Indian Chiefs and his knowledge of the Creek language, General Meriwether represented both the federal and state governments in various negotiations with the Indians. Meriwether County is among the last of the Georgia land ceded by the Creek Indians.

The County Seat of Meriwether County is Greenville, GA was incorporated and designated as County Seat in 1828, and is named for another Revolutionary war hero, General Nathaniel Greene. General Greene was not a native Georgian, however, he was the commander of the Southern Department during the Revolutionary War and was second only to George Washington. He is arguably the war's greatest strategist and his leadership of the Southern Department is considered his greatest contribution to the war. After the war, General Greene established his plantation, Mulberry Grove, near Savannah but unfortunately was only able to enjoy it for less than a year before his untimely death.

The original Meriwether County Courthouse was reportedly a two-story brick structure built in 1832. It was nearly destroyed in 1893 by a cyclone. It was repaired and served only until a new courthouse could be built The current courthouse, designed by J.W. Golucke, was completed in 1904 and is in the Neoclassical Revival style. At over 100 years old, the current courthouse has survived a devastating fire and continues to serve as the center of County business to this day.