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Dacula, Georgia

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Dacula (/dəˈkjuːlə/ də-KEW-lə) is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States, located approximately 37 miles (60 km) northeast of Atlanta. The population as of the 2010 census was 4,442,[5] and the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population to be 6,255 as of 2018.[6] In 2020, its population was 6,882. The Dacula area is home to some of the oldest buildings in northeast Georgia, such as the Elisha Winn House, which originally acted as the courthouse for Gwinnett County.

Dacula, Georgia
City
Dacula, Georgia
Dacula, Georgia
Flag of Dacula, Georgia
Flag
Official seal of Dacula, Georgia
Seal
Motto(s): 
"Honoring Our Past, Building Our Future "[1]
Location in Gwinnett County and the state of Georgia
Location in Gwinnett County and the state of Georgia
Coordinates: 33°58′53″N 83°53′43″W / 33.98139°N 83.89528°W / 33.98139; -83.89528
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia
CountyGwinnett
Government
 • MayorTrey King
Area
[2]
 • Total5.45 sq mi (14.11 km2)
 • Land5.42 sq mi (14.03 km2)
 • Water0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2)
Elevation
[3]
1,122 ft (342 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total6,882
 • Density1,270.68/sq mi (490.65/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
30019
Area code770
FIPS code13-21184[4]
GNIS feature ID2404173[3]
Websitedaculaga.gov


2nd Avenue, Dacula.

History

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A delegation of Muscogee (Creek) Leaders signed the first treaty between the Creek Nation and the United States. The 1790 Treaty of New York. Henry Knox, Secretary of War, negotiated on behalf of the United States while the primary negotiator for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation is said to have been Alexander McGillivray.

The Muscogee (Creek) Nation

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The Dacula area was originally within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Most of the land within the city's limits was ceded to the State of Georgia in the 1790 Treaty of New York after the Oconee Wars[7] [2] The vicinity of Dacula was one of the first areas in northeast Georgia to be occupied by white European settlers (around the time of the War of 1812). The area remained mostly uncolonized until the late 20th century , in part, due to the remaining presence of the Cherokee Nation in portions of Gwinnett County. After settlers lobbied for the ethnic cleansing of the Nation, the Trail of Tears (through the Indian Removal Act) made it easier for Dacula and the unannexed portions of Gwinnett to be settled.[3]

Chinquapin Grove

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Dacula itself began in the late 1800s under the name of Chinquapin Grove (Chinquapin was spelled several different ways), where Dacula Elementary now stands. Chinquapin comes from the indigenous Powhatan word for dwarf chestnut tree (Allegheny Chinkapin). The tree is no longer found in the area due to chestnut blight. An 1865 United States Coast Survey Map shows the town of Chinquepin Grove. An 1883 George Cram Map of Georgia shows the town of Chincapin Grove. The town was renamed named "Hoke",[8] in 1891 after a Seaboard Air Line Railroad executive, but that name was changed due to the Post Office Department's protest.[9] By 1895, maps of Georgia no longer showed the town of Chinquapin Grove and instead show the town of Dacula.[10]

 
Dacula, 1905. Downtown Main Street. Seaboard Railroad occupied the buildings at right to ship cotton and other commodities [1]

1900s

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Dacula's name is said to be formed from letters in Decatur and Atlanta by a postmaster.[11] The two cities to the west that were already prospering at the time of Dacula's founding. The New-Herald issue dated June 16, 1899 stated that Dacula would soon decide whether or not it wished to be incorporated; however, the town was not incorporated until 1905, because residents feared that incorporation would destroy business and industry.[10]

Religion has and continues to be a driving force in Dacula. One of the first churches built in the town was a Methodist Church, founded by Rev. R. P. Jackson. A News-Herald issue dated January 25, 1912 describes the brick building was no larger than 40x60 ft.[10]

The town was once home to a train station on a CSX line through northeast Georgia, although the station closed in the mid-1950s.

Present Day

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Harbins 316, Dacula, GA.[12]

The City of Dacula is one of the final municipalities to develop in Gwinnett, County. In 2022, Gwinnett County broke ground on the Rowen Project, which seeks to bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, and other innovators, alongside more than 50 research and educational institutions across Georgia to expand the state's research triangle.[13] Since the project's approval, the Dacula area has seen an increase in both suburban residential and strip mall commercial changes, including the Harbins 316 development, which massively expanded food and amenity access to a portion of Gwinnett County that previously had to drive 30–40 minutes to a grocery store. [4] As the town becomes home to an increasing number of national chains, residents are increasingly proud of their local gathering places and traditions. The town unveiled a new playground and workout area in Maple Creek Park in 2024, and continues its renowned Memorial Day Parade.[14][15]

Geography

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Dacula is located in eastern Gwinnett County, with U.S. Route 29 Business/Georgia State Route 8 (Winder Highway) the main road through the center of town. Business 29/SR 8 leads west 6 miles (10 km) to Lawrenceville, the county seat, and east 11 miles (18 km) to Winder. U.S. Route 29 (University Parkway) is a four-lane highway that bypasses Dacula to the south, with access from Harbins Road. University Parkway leads east 34 miles (55 km) to Athens and west 12 miles (19 km) to Interstate 85, which leads an additional 25 miles (40 km) southwest to Atlanta.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Dacula has a total area of 5.0 square miles (12.9 km2), of which 0.031 square miles (0.08 km2), or 0.59%, is water.[5]

The Dacula 30019 ZIP code goes well beyond the city limits, resulting in mail delivery as far north as the unincorporated community of Hamilton Mill, south of Interstate 85.

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1900120—
191016940.8%
192024444.4%
193030424.6%
19403153.6%
195036917.1%
196044019.2%
197078277.7%
19801,577101.7%
19902,21740.6%
20003,84873.6%
20104,44215.4%
20206,88254.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]
Dacula racial composition as of 2020[17]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 2,942 42.75%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 1,922 27.93%
Native American 11 0.16%
Asian 296 4.3%
Pacific Islander 1 0.01%
Other/Mixed 323 4.69%
Hispanic or Latino 1,387 20.15%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 6,882 people, 1,902 households, and 1,529 families residing in the city.

Government

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Local government

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Previous Mayors:

  • 1972 - 1980: Jimmy Wilbanks
  • 2002 - 2018: Jimmy Wilbanks
  • 2018 - Present: Trey King:

The current mayor and council members are:[18]

  • Mayor: Trey King [19]
  • Council Members: Ann Mitchell, Denis Haynes, and Sean Williams.

Education

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The county operates Gwinnett County Public Schools.[20] The following GCPS schools have Dacula mail addresses:

  • Alcova Elementary School (Dacula cluster)
  • Dacula Elementary School (Dacula cluster)
  • Dyer Elementary School (Mountain View cluster)
  • Fort Daniel Elementary School (Mill Creek cluster)
  • Harbins Elementary School (Archer cluster)
  • Puckett's Mill Elementary School (Mill Creek Cluster)
  • Dacula Middle School (Dacula cluster)
  • Dacula High School (Dacula cluster)

Gwinnett County Public Library operates the Dacula and Hamilton Mill Branch in the nearby unincorporated area of Hamilton Mill.[21]

Media

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The town of Dacula is served by two newspapers: the Gwinnett Daily Post (based in nearby Lawrenceville) and the Hamilton Mill Neighborhood News.

Parks

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Freeman's Mill

The following parks are located in the town of Dacula:[22]

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ "City of Dacula Georgia Website". City of Dacula Georgia Website. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  2. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  3. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Dacula, Georgia
  4. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Dacula city, Georgia". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 29, 2016.[dead link‍]
  6. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  7. ^ Scurry, Steven (April 21, 2004). "The Oconee War". Flagpole. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  8. ^ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 57. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
  9. ^ Lewis, Douglas (May 19, 2014). "Dacula- Then and Now". patch.com. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  10. ^ a b c Stanlye, Jerri (2005). History of Dacula, GA. City of Dacula.
  11. ^ "Dacula". Gwinnett Chamber. Archived from the original on June 21, 2010. Retrieved June 28, 2010.
  12. ^ "Publix & Shops at Harbins 316 / Dacula". www.constructionjournal.com. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  13. ^ Green, Josh (December 9, 2022). "Massive Rowen project breaks ground in wilds of Gwinnett County". Urbanize Atlanta. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  14. ^ AJC, Karen Huppertz for the. "Dacula unveils new Maple Creek Park play area". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  15. ^ "Memorial Day in Dacula 2024 - Official Website". www.daculamemorialday.com. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  16. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  17. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  18. ^ "Mayor & City Council". daculaga.gov. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  19. ^ "BRACK: New mayor of Dacula already has 10 years on city council". gwinnettforum.com. February 1, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  20. ^ "Gwinnett County Public Schools". Gwinnett County Public Schools. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  21. ^ "Hours & Locations Archived 2010-07-26 at the Wayback Machine." Gwinnett County Public Library. Retrieved on February 24, 2010.
  22. ^ a b c "Parks and Recreation". Dacula Georgia. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  23. ^ "Duncan Creek Park". Gwinnett. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  24. ^ "Harbins Park". Gwinnett. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  25. ^ "Little Mulberry Park". Gwinnett. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  26. ^ "New Playground for Dacula's Maple Creek Park". Dacula Georgia. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  27. ^ "Rabbit Hill Park". Official Georgia Tourism & Travel Website | Explore Georgia.org. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  28. ^ "Donna Sheldon's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  29. ^ "History - City of Dacula Historical Events". daculaga.gov. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  30. ^ "About Dacula - City of Dacula". daculaga.gov. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
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