Coffee County, located in Georgia’s Lower Coastal Plain, was created from sections of Clinch, Irwin, Telfair, and Ware counties on February 9, 1854.

The county is named in honor of John E. Coffee, an influential Telfair County planter and politician who served in both houses of the Georgia state legislature, as well as in the U.S. Congress. Coffee was also a prominent frontiersman, renowned for his service in the region’s Indian wars.

Coffee County is in the wiregrass region of south central Georgia, so called because of the predominance of wiregrass, which grows among the Georgia pines, especially in the Lower Coastal Plain. During the early nineteenth century, the area attracted many whites to the region, because of its abundance of game, rivers, woods, and general wildlife. Only the most adventurous pioneers actually settled there, however.

Coffee County Courthouse
Coffee County Courthouse
Courtesy of Don Bowman

Before white immigration, Creek Indians were the original inhabitants of Coffee County. By 1827 local wars between the early settlers and the Indians, and various treaties resulting in the forced removal of the Creeks, led to their demise in the region. Native American heritage of the area lives on through the names of many of the lakes, creeks, streams, and rivers, including the Oconee River, Ocmulgee River, and the Okefenokee Swamp.

The Indian removal, along with the development of roads, was an impetus for the rapid migration of larger family units to the area. Their arrival brought an era of social change and economic prosperity for whites. Churches, schools, and new roads were built, and farmland was eventually fenced and cultivated into plantations that grew cotton and tobacco at the hands of enslaved labor.

In 1858 Douglas was established as the county seat. It was named after U.S. senator Stephen Arnold Douglas of Illinois, who became popular because of his rivalry with Abraham Lincoln for the U.S. presidency. Douglas is home to South Georgia State College, which was the first state-supported institution under the University System of Georgia.

Broxton Rocks Ecological Preserve
Broxton Rocks Ecological Preserve
Photograph by Steve DeCresie

Located five miles east of Douglas is the General Coffee State Park, which showcases the county’s pioneer heritage and natural environment. One of the main features of this park is Meeks Cabin (ca. 1830), a log structure that is one of the oldest buildings in south Georgia. The park also maintains an environmental reserve that houses various endangered species of animal and plant life. Endangered flora may also be found at Broxton Rocks Preserve, a unique sandstone outcrop that extends nearly four miles. The preserve is home to more than 500 species of plants native to the area, including rare and endangered species.

According to the 2020 U.S. census, the county’s population is 43,092.

Share Snippet Copy Copy with Citation

Updated Recently

Bernie Marcus

Bernie Marcus

2 weeks ago
Third Day

Third Day

2 weeks ago

A More Perfect Union

The New Georgia Encyclopedia is supported by funding from A More Perfect Union, a special initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Image

Broxton Rocks Ecological Preserve

Broxton Rocks Ecological Preserve

Broxton Rocks Ecological Preserve, in Coffee County, is a unique sandstone outcrop that extends nearly four miles. The preserve is home to more than 500 species of plants native to the area, including rare and endangered species.

Photograph by Steve DeCresie

Coffee County Courthouse

Coffee County Courthouse

The Coffee County courthouse, located in Douglas, was built in 1940 and was designed by William J. J. Chase. The two-story brick structure is an example of stripped classical architecture. The courthouse underwent a renovation and expansion in 1991.

Courtesy of Don Bowman

Douglas

Douglas

Douglas is located at the intersection of U.S. 441 and 221 and Georgia 32. The downtown area has been designated a historic district.

Photograph by J. Stephen Conn

View on source site

General Coffee State Park

General Coffee State Park

The four-acre lake at General Coffee State Park may be used for fishing or canoeing. Swimming in the lake is not permitted, as alligators may be present.

Image from Michael Rivera

Coffee County, 1930s

Coffee County, 1930s

A locomotive pulls passenger cars across a trestle near Nicholls in Coffee County, 1930s.

Courtesy of Georgia Archives, Vanishing Georgia, #
cof043b.

View on partner site