A short history of Suwanee
Early history
Suwanee, like many towns in Georgia, has its roots based in the name of Native American with this name being from the Shawnee and a former Shawnee area. Settlement always thrived along the Chattahoochee River, where various societies flourished. The city was officially recognized by the U.S. government in 1837, following the establishment of a post office. With the construction of the Georgia Air Line Railroad in 1871, and the Rhodes House hotel in 1880 to accommodate railroad passengers, Suwanee saw in influx of people and a boost in trade and economic activity. Suwanee Methodist Church was established in 1873, serving both the local Methodist and Baptist congregations. Although a devastating fire in 1881 spared only one building on Main Street, the town continued to persevere. From 1880 to 1920, the population remained relatively static, growing from 216 people to 241 over 40 years. As of 2015, Suwanee's population had surged to over 18,000, reflecting its growth and development.
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Recent history
From 1933 to 1936, the now heavily traveled Buford Highway was constructed through Suwanee. In 1960, Interstate 85 was extended just south of Suwanee, where it ended at the time. Over the past century, several primary education schools have opened in Suwanee, including North Gwinnett High School and Suwanee Elementary School. Suwanee High School dates back to 1880, when it was a one-room schoolhouse. The first city hall was built in the early 1960s, with a second city hall constructed in 1997. In 2005, Town Center was built in 2005 and completed in 2009, at which time the city hall moved to its current location in Town Center. In 2003, Suwanee was named a City of Excellence by the Georgia Municipal Association and Trend Magazine. In 2017, Suwanee was recognized as a Green Community by the Atlanta Regional Commission, earning bronze-level certification for its commitment to environmental stewardship and leadership in sustainability practices.
Adapted (trimmed) from the Wikipedia article Suwanee, Georgia, revision 1374942481 by its contributors, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.