Gwinnett County Court House

Gwinnett County was named after Button Gwinnett, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, who was a state legislator and served as Georgia’s Governor for a few months in 1777. He was wounded in a duel and died three days later, on May 19, 1777. He is buried in Savannah.

For hundreds of years preceding the permanent white settlements in what is now Gwinnett County, the Creek and Cherokee Indians occupied the land. In 1789 and 1790 the Cherokee Indians ceded to the United States Government all lands north and east of a line running through Kentucky, Tennessee, North and South Carolinas and north Georgia, including portions of Gwinnett.

Gwinnett County’s population is approximately 18.3 percent of the total Atlanta region population and has captured 26% of the region’s growth since 2000, growing faster numerically than any other county in the region for the past 25 years running. Gwinnett was the fastest growing county in the United States for several years during the 1980s among counties with a population greater than 100,000. It was among the 10 U.S. counties with the highest numerical growth from 2000 to 2006.

Gwinnett County is metro Atlanta’s most family-friendly destination. If you want sports and outdoor enjoyment, check out AAA baseball with the Gwinnett Braves, minor league hockey with the Gwinnett Gladiators or coming in Spring 2011, the high-energy Georgia Force Arena Football! Nearby, there’s hiking, biking and the family-friendly attractions at the Southeast’s busiest attraction, Stone Mountain Park or hop a jet-ski or spend the day at the nearby Lake Lanier Water park. There are over 10 great public & semi-private golf courses to choose from, or head to one of Gwinnett’s 40 parks for a day of swimming, hiking, disc golf and more.

Gwinnett is the home of three regional malls – the Southeast’s largest mall, Mall of Georgia, the outlets of Discover Mills and Gwinnett Place Mall, home of the new international shopping destination, Mega Mart. Other great shopping venues include the open-air Avenue at Webb Gin and the Forum Shops at Peachtree Parkway, where discerning shoppers can find upscale brands including K. La and J. Jill, or browse the accessory heaven known as Charming Charlie. Global Mall is the top ethnic shopping destination in metro Atlanta, featuring specialty foods, jewelry, handicrafts and services. All information about Gwinnett was  courtesy of Gwinnett County Convention & Visitors Bureau web site.