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Morgan County was created from Baldwin County on Dec. 10, 1807 by an act of the General Assembly. Georgia's 30th county was named for Revolutionary War General and later Virginia Congressman, Daniel Morgan, who is best remembered for his victory over the British at Cowpens in 1781. Madison was designated the county seat in 1808 and incorporated in 1809. Sherman's Army spared Madison from destruction because it was the home of pro-Union Senator Joshua Hill.

Today, Madison remains the County seat.

HISTORY

The first courthouse was a red brick square building, built in 1809 on the square in the middle of downtown Madison. This building was converted to office space when the current courthouse was built across the street on the corner facing the square. In 1917, the original courthouse building was destroyed in a fire.

The Madison Collegiate Institute was founded in 1849 by Baptists, and was later renamed the Georgia Female College. The Methodist Female College was also founded in Madison. These two schools were among the first women's colleges in the United States. However, both were destroyed by fire and ceased operation.

Hard Labor Creek State Park, just outside of Rutledge, offers swimming, hiking, fishing and equestrian facilities featuring over twenty miles of riding trails. The park also offers an 18-hole golf course, that is the most challenging and scenic in the state for both public and private courses.

Morgan County African-American Museum is instrumental in preserving African-American heritage and promoting awareness of the contributions the African-American has made to the culture of the South. Among the notable people who hail from Morgan County are William Tappan Thompson, a journalist and author who founded and edited The Savannah Morning News, and Lancelot Johnson, who first developed the process of pressing oil out of cottonseed.

Madison has some of the finest antebellum homes in the state, and throughout the year there are a number of annual events taking place in the county including the Madison in May Tour of Homes. In addition, the Madison Arts Festival and the City of Bostwick Cotton Gin Festival are also annual events.