The history of Jonesboro as a settlement goes back to the early days when settlers arrived in upper middle Georgia. Jonesboro was originally called Leaksville, and records show that as early as 1823, the State of Georgia granted a charter for the Leaksville Academy, in what was then Fayette County. The region comprising Clayton County was first settled by pioneers in 1821, as a result of the Treaty of Indian Springs, in which the Creek Indians ceded a vast portion of their domain to the State of Georgia. Counties were promptly laid off, and settlers immediately began to arrive from older parts of Georgia and the Southern coastal states. Clayton County was created in 1858 from portions of Henry and Fayette, and was named for Augustin S. Clayton, a distinguished judge of Western Circuit of Georgia. Jonesboro was designated the County Seat.

When the War Between the States began in 1861, Clayton County met the severe demands of the times. Local cavalry and infantry units were organized, and citizen-soldiers drilled for war behind the courthouse in Jonesboro, before departing for Virginia battlefields. In 1864, the war was brought home. Throughout the spring and summer of that year, bitter battles were fought in a line from Chattanooga to Atlanta.

Hot Spots Around Jonesboro

Jonesboro Historic Train Depot Visitor Center
Make this your first stop in Jonesboro to gather information, maps, event calendars, tour the Road to Tara Museum, and purchase souvenirs from the gift shop featuring Gone With The Wind items, and regional foods and gifts.

The Beach at Clayton County International Park
A park within a park featuring a springfed, six-acre swimming lake with an adventure kiddie pool, slides, sandy beach, water trampoline, arcade, sun deck, Tennis Center, a full gym, hiking and biking trails, volleyball courts, fishing lakes, picnic areas and more.

Lake Spivey / Rivers Edge Golf Clubs
Play tow of the finest private golf clubs located on Atlanta's south side. Golf Digest magazine awarded these two clubs the "Best Golf Value in Atlanta." It offers a chamionship layout that includes 27 holes of fun, fair and challenging golf. Renowned PGA architect Bobby Weed designed River's Edge Golf Club.