Editing Douglas County, Georgia (section)

=== County seat ===
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The act creating Douglas County provided that in November 1870, voters of the new county would elect county officers, and vote to select the site of the county seat. In the election, some voters chose a site near the center of the county, but a larger number voted for the settlement known as "Skinned Chestnut" or "Skin(t) Chestnut," based on a Creek Indian landmark tree. The courthouse commissioners chose this site as county seat and proceeded to sell lots and build a courthouse. It later changed its name to Douglasville.

A group of citizens filed suit against the commissioners. The case ultimately went to the [[Supreme Court of Georgia (U.S. state)|Supreme Court of Georgia]], which ruled against the commissioners. Both sides agreed to postpone further action until the route of the [[Georgia Western Railroad]] through Douglas County was determined. The General Assembly enacted legislation on February 28, 1874, directing that an election be held on April 7, 1874, to determine the location of the county seat—but with the provision that the site be located on the Georgia Western Railroad. In the election, voters confirmed Douglasville as the county seat. On February 25, 1875, the General Assembly incorporated Douglasville.