83-571: Buford Dam is a dam in Buford, Georgia which is located at the southern end of Lake Lanier , a reservoir formed by the construction of the dam in 1956. The dam itself is managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers . The dam is made of earth and concrete, supplemented by three saddle dikes, and was built to provide a water source for the Atlanta area, power homes, and prevent flooding of
166-653: A Park and Ride in Buford that commutes to Atlanta. As late as 1971 the Southern Railway 's Piedmont made a southbound stop in Buford on a Washington-Atlanta running passenger run. Until 1967 or 1968 the Southern Railway was running an unnamed northbound successor train to its Peach Queen that made a flag stop in Buford. The nearest airport is the Gwinnett County Airport in the city of Lawrenceville,
249-542: A businessman named Jesse Jewell started the poultry industry in north Georgia. Chickens have since become the state's largest agricultural crop. This $ 1 billion a year industry has given Gainesville the title "Poultry Capital of the World". In 1956, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed Lake Sidney Lanier , by building Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River . During the 1996 Summer Olympics , Gainesville served as
332-501: A family was $ 43,734. Males had a median income of $ 26,377 versus $ 20,531 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 19,439. About 24.9% of families and 29.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 40.7% of those under age 18 and 17.6% of those age 65 or over. In May 2013, the unemployment rate was 6.9%, less than the overall rate in Georgia of 8.3%, the US of 7.6% Of
415-608: A historic home which is believed to predate the 1850s and one of the oldest wooden-frame houses in Gwinnett county, was moved to the museum to become part of the museum's cultural exhibits. Buford Community Center is a multi-purpose facility that was completed in 2012. Located across the street from Buford City Hall, the Buford Community Center has a museum, 290-seat stage theatre , an outdoor amphitheater , and several spaces for meetings, banquets, and weddings. As part of
498-483: A private, college preparatory, boarding and day school for boys in grades 6 through 12; and Lakeview Academy , a private, nondenominational, coeducational day school for students in preschool through 12th grade. From 1928 to 2011, Gainesville was also home to Brenau Academy , a female, college preparatory, residential school for grades 9–12, and a part of the Brenau University system. However, in 2011 Brenau Academy
581-592: A private, not-for-profit, undergraduate- and graduate-level higher education institution; the Interactive College of Technology; and Lanier Technical College. Established in 2005, the Public Defender's Office at Gainesville provides representation for persons accused of felony offenses in Hall County. Attorneys from the office have been recognized for their community involvement, as well as for their acumen in
664-427: A rocket scientist, a circus performer, and that of poultry pioneer Jesse Jewell (whom Jesse Jewell Parkway, Gainesville's main thoroughfare, is named after). As of the 2020 United States census , there were 42,296 people, 13,314 households, and 8,796 families residing in the city. As of the census of 2010, there were 33,804 people, 11,273 households, and 7,165 families residing in the city. The population density
747-442: A small public airport with a single asphalt runway 14 miles (23 km) from Buford. The closest major airports are Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport , which is 48 miles (77 km) from Buford and Athens Ben Epps Airport , which is 53 miles (85 km). Buford has several clinics and family doctors, including an Emory Healthcare clinic and a Northside Hospital imaging center, but no major hospitals inside
830-547: A straw storehouse and nearly destroyed the city's harness and horse collar factory. Bona Allen saddles were available through the Sears mail order catalog , and many Hollywood actors used saddles made by the Bona Allen Company, including cowboy actors Gene Autry , the cast of Bonanza , and Roy Rogers , who used a Bona Allen saddle on his horse Trigger . A statue of Roy Rogers and a Bona Allen saddle-maker saddling Trigger
913-562: Is a city and the county seat of Hall County, Georgia , United States. As of the 2020 census , the city had a population of 42,296. Because of its large number of poultry processing plants, it has been called the "Poultry Capital of the World." Gainesville is the principal city of the Gainesville, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area , which is included in the Atlanta – Sandy Springs –Gainesville, Georgia Combined Statistical Area . Gainesville
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#1732849091627996-413: Is a combination of the 4% state sales tax and a 2% local tax. In 2008, CNN Money ranked Buford as number 3 in its annual "100 best places to live and start a business" list. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Buford's economy was centered on both its location as a railway stop and its leather industry, until demand for leather declined and other transportation options became more readily available over
1079-580: Is a museum established by Brenau University in Downtown Gainesville that focuses on the heritage of the Northeast Georgia region. Some notable exhibits include the Land of Promise and Northeast Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. The Arts Council is a non-profit organization focused on providing Gainesville residents with a broad variety of visual, performing, and literary arts.. The Arts Council is located in
1162-469: Is a suburb within the Atlanta metropolitan area. According to the United States Census Bureau, as of 2010 the city has a total land area of 17.09 square miles (44.26 km ), of which 17.01 square miles (44.06 km ) is land and 0.08 square miles (0.20 km ), or 0.44%, is water. The city's elevation is 1,183 feet (361 m). Buford's city limits are 4.5 miles (7.2 km) west of
1245-426: Is bordered to the southwest by the city of Oakwood . Interstate 985 / U.S. Route 23 passes through the southern part of the city, leading southwest 54 miles (87 km) to Atlanta and northeast 23 miles (37 km) to Baldwin and Cornelia . U.S. Route 129 runs through the east side of the city, leading north 24 miles (39 km) to Cleveland and southeast 21 miles (34 km) to Jefferson . According to
1328-467: Is done remotely from Carters Dam near Ellijay, Georgia via a microwave signal. The power generated is delivered to Georgia Power . The powerhouse is cooled by the temperature of the water running through the dam, which is approximately 52 °F (11 °C) year-round. In 2002, the US Army Corps of Engineers spent $ 8.5 million to provide upgrades to the powerhouse. Because the earthen slopes on
1411-528: Is located in downtown Buford. The Bona Allen Company thrived during the Great Depression in the 1930s, likely as a result of the Depression forcing farmers to choose horses over expensive tractors, thereby increasing the demand for saddles, collars, bridles, and other leather products. The Bona Allen Company constructed Tannery Row in downtown Buford as a shoe factory in 1919. After a brief employee strike
1494-715: Is the Red Elephant. The Hall County School District holds pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of twenty-one elementary schools, six middle schools, and seven high schools. The district has 1,337 full-time teachers and over 21,730 students. The high schools in this district have produced a number of notable alumni including, Connor Shaw , starting quarterback for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks football team; Casey Cagle , Lt. Governor, State of Georgia; James Mills, Georgia State Representative; A.J. Styles , professional wrestler; Deshaun Watson , starting quarterback for
1577-463: Is the largest mall in Georgia and the 36th largest in the United States, with over 200 stores and a 20 Regal Cinema and IMAX Theaters. While outside the official Buford city limits, the mall uses Buford as its mailing address. The City of Buford is governed by a city commission government headed by a Commission Chairman. Phillip Beard has served as Buford's Commission Chairman since 1975. When
1660-657: The Atlanta and Richmond Air-Line Railway . The city's leather industry, led by the Bona Allen Company , as well as its location as a railway stop, caused the population to expand during the early 1900s until after the Great Depression had ended. The city operates its own school district, the Buford City School District , and has been the birthplace and home of several musicians and athletes. Various tourist locations, including museums and community centers,
1743-445: The Buford City School District for residents that live within the city limits, while Gwinnett County Public Schools and Hall County Public Schools operate schools for residents that live outside of the city limits. The Buford City School District operates three elementary schools, Buford Academy, Buford Senior Academy, and Buford Elementary, as well as Buford Middle School and Buford High School . The Buford-Sugar Hill Branch of
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#17328490916271826-633: The Chattahoochee River . Electricity from the dam is marketed by the Southeastern Power Administration . Congress authorized construction of the dam in 1946, and in 1949 the federal government gave the State of Georgia $ 750,000 (equivalent to $ 9,497,925 in 2024) towards the building of the dam and accompanying powerhouse. On March 1, 1950, a groundbreaking ceremony was held, which included dignitaries such as Atlanta mayor William B. Hartsfield . The United States Army Corps of Engineers oversaw
1909-545: The Eastern Continental Divide . Ridge Road, part of which uses Buford as a mailing address, runs along the Eastern Continental Divide, although the road itself is outside the city limits. Buford's primary water supply comes from Lake Lanier an impoundment on the Chattahoochee River . The climate of Buford, as with most of the southeastern United States, is humid subtropical (Cfa) according to
1992-521: The Georgia General Assembly on November 30, 1821. A gold rush that began in nearby Lumpkin County in the 1830s resulted in an increase in the number of settlers and the beginning of a business community. In the middle of the 19th century, Gainesville had two important events. In 1849, it became established as a resort center, with people attracted to the springs. In 1851, much of the small city
2075-532: The Gwinnett County Public Library is located in Buford. The Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center is a museum and cultural center completed in August 2006 and is located in Buford. The center was created to educate children about both water and environmental resources as well as Gwinnett's cultural heritage, including the county's Cherokee and Creek cultures. The Chesser-Williams House,
2158-549: The Köppen classification , with four seasons including hot, humid summers and cool winters. July is generally the warmest month of the year with an average high of around 87 °F (31 °C). The coldest month is January which has an average high of around 50 °F (10 °C). The highest recorded temperature was 107 °F (42 °C) in 1952, while the lowest recorded temperature was −8 °F (−22 °C) in 1985. Buford receives rainfall distributed fairly evenly throughout
2241-595: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 33.9 square miles (87.7 km ), of which 31.9 square miles (82.7 km ) are land and 1.9 square miles (5.0 km ), or 5.75%, are water. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains , parts of Gainesville lie along the shore of one of the nation's most popular inland water destinations, Lake Lanier . Named after Confederate veteran, Georgia author and musician Sidney Lanier ,
2324-587: The Bogan Park Community Center and Family Aquatics Center. Buford Dam Park is next to Lake Lanier and has areas for swimming and other recreational activities. In addition to the parks run by Gwinnett County there are five city parks located throughout Buford, and a community center, which was completed in early 2012. The southern part of Lake Sidney Lanier and the Lake Lanier Islands are also located in Buford. The Mall of Georgia
2407-539: The Bona Allen Company steadily downsized until the tannery was eventually sold to the Tandy Corporation in 1968. Buford's leather industry ended after the tannery experienced a fire in 1981, when the Tandy Corporation decided not to rebuild the tannery and closed the facility. Buford is located in both northern Gwinnett County in northern Georgia, with a small portion extending north into Hall County. The city
2490-488: The Falcons from 1975 to 1983, also lives in Buford, and Scott Case , a former NFL defensive back from 1984 to 1995 for the Falcons and Dallas Cowboys, also lives in Buford. Other athletes who live in Buford include retired hockey player Randy Manery , professional drag racing driver Kurt Johnson , and professional baseball pitcher Jon Huber . Professional baseball player Jerry McQuaig died in 2001. Roy Carlyle , who
2573-563: The Gainesville Ballet Company which is a partnership with Brenau University and the Gainesville School of Dance. One of their more popular performances throughout the year is Tchaikovsky 's The Nutcracker . Alta Vista Cemetery is a graveyard located just outside Downtown Gainesville. The famous Confederate general James Longstreet is buried here. Other notable gravesites include: several Georgia governors, an astronaut,
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2656-526: The Gainesville area. Three African Americans, Beulah Rucker, E. E. Butler, and Ulysses Byas were educational pioneers in Gainesville and Hall County. Rucker founded Timber Ridge Elementary School, the first school for Black children in Gainesville, in 1911. In 1951 she established a night high school for African-American veterans, which was the only High School for veterans in Georgia. E. E. Butler served as an educator for just one year before earning his Physician's license. In 1954, he became one of two who became
2739-612: The Houston Texans, Mike "MoonPie" Wilson , former NFL football player; Chester Willis , former NFL football player; Jody Davis , former catcher for Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves baseball teams; Billy Greer , bass guitarist for progressive rock band Kansas ; Corey Hulsey , former NFL Oakland Raiders football player; Robin Spriggs , author and actor; and Martrez Milner , American football tight end . Notable private schools in Gainesville include: Riverside Military Academy ,
2822-636: The Metro Atlanta area, Buford's primary network-affiliated television stations are WXIA-TV (NBC), WANF (CBS), WSB-TV (ABC), and WAGA-TV (Fox). WGTV is the local station of the statewide Georgia Public Television network and is a PBS member station. Buford is served by the Gwinnett Daily Post , which is the most widely distributed newspaper in Buford as well as Gwinnett county's legal organ. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Gainesville Times are also distributed in Buford. During
2905-577: The Smithgall Arts Center, which is a former two-story train depot that the Arts Council purchased from CSX Transportation in 1992. In early 2020, they broke ground on an expansion to include a new 6,300 sr. ft. pavilion that features an outdoor stage and other multi-functional facilities. The ribbon was officially cut on this expansion on April 16, 2021, and named the “ Gladys Wyant Performing Arts Pavilion ” in honor of Gladys Wyant, who has been
2988-519: The Town of Buford was incorporated in 1872, a city commission consisting of six commissioners was established to govern the town. When a new city charter was enacted in 1896 that renamed the Town of Buford to the City of Buford, the city commission was replaced with a mayor and six councilmen . The city council governed the City of Buford until a new charter was approved on December 24, 1937, that re-established
3071-416: The average family size was 3.55. Age distribution was 33.9% under the age of 20, 9.5% from 20 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 16.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 20 and over, there were 84.4 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 38,119, and the median income for
3154-432: The chicks were grown, Jewell would buy back the adult chickens (broilers) at a price that would cover his costs and guarantee farmers a profit. Once Jewell signed on enough farmers to produce broilers for him, he invested in his own processing plant and hatchery. As of 2013, poultry farming remains a significant economic driver in Gainesville, representing six of its top ten employers (7,600 employees), nearly one-quarter of
3237-554: The city commission government. The area of Buford inside Gwinnett County is part of Georgia's 7th congressional district while the Hall County portions of Buford belong to Georgia's 9th congressional district . For the state government, the city is part of the Georgia State Senate 's 45th and 49th districts, and the 97th, 98th, and 103rd districts for the Georgia House of Representatives . The city of Buford operates
3320-471: The city in a general northeast-southwest direction. Buford is Exit 115 on I-85 and Exit 4 on I-985. Georgia State Route 20 travels through Buford in a general northwest-southeast direction. U.S. Route 23 travels northeast into Buford before first merging with State Route 20 towards the southeast and then with I-985 towards the northeast. The Gwinnett County Transit provides public transportation in Buford and Gwinnett County, and GRTA Xpress operates
3403-454: The city is in Hall County, which comprises the Gainesville, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area and is part of the larger Atlanta- Athens-Clarke -Sandy Springs Combined Statistical Area . The city was founded in 1872 after a railroad was built in the area connecting Charlotte, North Carolina , with Atlanta . Buford was named after Algernon Sidney Buford , who at the time was president of
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3486-648: The city limits. The closest hospital is Northside Hospital-Forsyth , which is 9 miles (14 km) away in Cumming . Gwinnett Medical Center and Emory Johns Creek Hospital are both 12 miles (19 km) from Buford, in Lawrenceville and Johns Creek respectively. Northeast Georgia Health System has a hospital in Gainesville and Braselton . Buford is home to several Atlanta Falcons players, including defensive tackle Corey Peters and cornerback Chris Owens . Former Falcons players Jeff Merrow , who played for
3569-466: The city's first high-rise, the Jackson Building, had its formal opening. In 1919 Southern Bell made improvements to the phone system. City services began in Gainesville on February 22, 1873, with the election of a City Marshal, followed by solid waste collection in 1874. In 1890, a bond issue to fund the waterworks was passed, and the original water distribution system was developed. In 1943, at
3652-407: The completion of the railway and the founding of Buford. R.H. Allen's brother Bona Allen moved to Buford from Rome, Georgia , in 1872 and founded the Bona Allen Company the following year. The leather industry quickly became the city's largest industry despite setbacks from several fires, including a fire in 1903 that destroyed the buildings of several businesses and a fire in 1906 that destroyed
3735-443: The construction of the dam. During construction, land was bought in the area that would become the reservoir. Homes, churches, graveyards, and all other structures that would float were removed or burned. Many residents in the reservoir area fought the buying of their homes with unsuccessful civil lawsuits. The powerhouse required crews to use dynamite to blast a U-shaped space through granite rock structures to hollow out an area for
3818-465: The cool temperature of the water that the dam releases. The powerhouse at the dam has three generators: the main generator, a small 7.5 megawatt generator which runs constantly, and two 60 megawatt generators that run twice daily during times of peak electricity demand. The powerhouse provides 250 GWh (900 TJ) of electricity annually to the metro Atlanta area. Control of the Buford Dam generators
3901-489: The course of the 1900s, and these industries were no longer a viable part of Buford's economy by the 1980s. According to the U.S. Census 's American Community Survey 2007–2011 5-year estimate, around 65% of Buford's population that are 16 years or older are in the labor force . Of these, around 59% are employed, and 6% are unemployed. The power tool manufacturer Makita operates a factory in Buford with 400 employees. The North American division of Takeuchi Manufacturing
3984-663: The entire Gainesville area. GTA utilizes both professional and student actors in its productions and their performances have been nationally acclaimed. Brenau University Galleries, established in 1985 by Brenau University President, Dr. John S. Burd, is located at the historic Gainesville, Georgia campus and consists of five art galleries created to house its permanent art collection of over 5,000 works. The Galleries hold local, regional, student, and national rotating exhibitions. The Galleries serve as an educational and cultural resource for Northeast Georgia by way of free public programming and exhibitions. The Northeast Georgia History Center
4067-514: The executive director of The Arts Council for the previous 37+ years. This venue, known by many as "The Gladys", has quickly become one of the most popular event venues in Gainesville and North Georgia, as a whole. The Quinlan Visual Arts Center is a non-profit arts association initially founded as the Gainesville Arts Association in 1942. The Quinlan Visual Arts Center acts as an exhibit, with multiple galleries on display throughout
4150-501: The first Black men on the Gainesville City Schools Board of Education, a very unusual situation in the United States. When the schools were integrated in 1969, Byas, like most Black school principals was offered a demotion. Rather than take a job as an assistant principal at Gainesville High School, he moved to Tuskegee, Alabama , where he became the nation's first Black school superintendent. E. E. Butler High School
4233-656: The grounds, known as the "Chew Crew". There is also a donkey onsite that is used to protect the goats from coyotes . Buford, Georgia Buford is a city in Gwinnett and Hall counties in the U.S. state of Georgia . As of the 2020 census , the city had a population of 17,144. Most of the city is in Gwinnett County, which is part of the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta Metropolitan Statistical Area . The northern sliver of
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#17328490916274316-418: The height of World War II , Gainesville contributed to the war effort by leasing the airport to the US government for $ 1.00. The military used it as a naval air station for training purposes. In 1947, the airport was returned to the city of Gainesville, improved by the addition of two 4,000-foot (1,200 m) landing strips (one of which was later lengthened to 5,500 feet (1,700 m)). After World War II,
4399-557: The jobs are. Many of the workers are illegal immigrants . According to Gainesville's 2012 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are: Gainesville is the home of the Gainesville Theater Alliance (GTA), which is a partnership between Brenau University , the University of North Georgia , Theatre Wings, and the Professional Company. This coalition provides theatrical entertainment for
4482-409: The lake reached its intended level on August 1 of that year. When water is released from the dam's turbines, several sirens sound as well as an AM warning broadcast. The dam also has a 13.25 ft (4.04 m) diameter sluice which can be used to allow water to bypass the turbines. Downriver from the dam is a trout breeding hatchery, which is one of the southernmost hatcheries for trout, due to
4565-456: The lake was created in 1956 when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dammed the Chattahoochee River near Buford and flooded the river's valley. Although created primarily for hydroelectricity and flood control, it also serves as a reservoir providing water to the city of Atlanta and is a very popular recreational attraction for all of north Georgia. Much of Gainesville is heavily wooded, with both deciduous and coniferous trees. Much like
4648-450: The largest mall in the state of Georgia, the Mall of Georgia , and Lake Lanier Islands are in the Buford region. Buford appears in historical records beginning in the early 19th century. The area that is now Buford was originally part of Cherokee territory. Despite the treaty in 1817 that ceded the territory to the United States and Gwinnett County's legislative establishment in 1818, the area
4731-434: The late 1800s and early 1900s Buford became widely known for its leather production, becoming prominently associated with the leather industry and earning the nickname "The Leather City". Buford became a large producer of leather products, including saddles, horse collars , bridles , and shoes. Buford's leather industry began with a leatherworker named R.H. Allen opening a harness shop and tannery in 1868, three years before
4814-722: The late 1800s, the city of Buford had a number of local newspapers including the Buford Gazette and the Buford Herald , none of which gained consistent widespread use in the city. The weekly Gwinnett Herald served Buford until 1885. Several movies have been filmed in and around Buford including the 2010 film Killers , Need for Speed , Blended , Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and A Simple Twist of Fate . Two major interstate highways pass through Buford: Interstate 85 and Interstate 985 both travel through
4897-469: The morning, killing 12 people and injuring 171 others. Another F3 tornado later that day killed 2 other people and injured a further 27 people in the Stoneville area. The poultry farming industry in Gainesville began to develop after World War II, when Jesse Jewell, a Gainesville feed salesman, began his business. The format he developed was to sell North Georgia farmers baby chicks and feed on credit . When
4980-438: The outer side of the dam exceed 40% grade (21.8°, 1 in 2.5) and contain rocks and drop off points, they are too steep and unsafe to practically maintain by a landscaping crew. To address this, the US Army Corps of Engineers use goats to maintain the grass and vegetation on the slope as it is more economically viable than alternatives. Goats have been used since the 1970s for this purpose, and there are sixteen goats that maintain
5063-668: The population aged 15 years and over, 31.0% have never been married; 50.0% are now married; 2.4% are separated; 7.7% are widowed; and 9.9% are divorced. Gainesville is home to the Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville , which houses a Level I Trauma Center and the Georgia Heart Center. Arrendale State Prison of the Georgia Department of Corrections is a women's prison located in unincorporated Habersham County , near Alto , and in
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#17328490916275146-410: The population. There were 11,273 households, out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.3% were married couples living together, 18.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.64% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and
5229-542: The powerhouse and release gates. During the construction of the dam, Johnnie Callahan died during a rockslide when cutting an intake tunnel into the face of the granite rock wall. On February 1, 1956, the dam was completed when the sluice gates were closed and Lake Lanier began to fill. Unit 2 began operation on June 20, 1957, Unit 3 on July 26, 1957, and Unit 1 on October 10, 1957. The dam was dedicated on October 9, 1957. The power plant went into full-scale operation in July 1958, and
5312-404: The primary driver of the economy, with the railroad integral to delivering raw cotton and carrying away the mills' products. With the revenues generated by the mills, in 1902, Gainesville became the first city south of Baltimore to install street lamps . On March 1, 1905, free mail delivery began in Gainesville, and on August 10, 1910, the Gainesville post office was opened. On December 22, 1915,
5395-423: The railroad's right-of-way and began developing the city of Buford. The city was named after Algernon Sidney Buford , who was president of the Atlanta and Richmond Air-Line Railway during the railroad's construction. The town began rapidly expanding around the railway after its completion in 1871, and it was incorporated as the Town of Buford on August 24, 1872, and renamed the City of Buford in 1896. In
5478-703: The reopening of the Fair Street Neighborhood Center, the reopening of the Linwood Water Reclamation Facility Grand, and the completion of the Longwood Park Fishing Pier. On January 28, 2021 , a poultry plant in Gainesville leaked liquid nitrogen killing 6 and hospitalizing 12. Gainesville is located in central Hall County at 34°18′16″N 83°50′2″W / 34.30444°N 83.83389°W / 34.30444; -83.83389 (34.304490, -83.833897). It
5561-493: The rest of northern Georgia, Gainesville has a humid subtropical climate ( Köppen climate classification Cfa ), with cool to mild winters and hot, humid summers. While Gainesville does not sit in Tornado Alley , a region of the United States where severe weather is common, supercell thunderstorms can sweep through any time between March and November, being primarily concentrated in the spring. Tornado watches are frequent in
5644-494: The shoe factory was closed in 1942, although it was briefly reopened by the request of the federal government during World War II to make footwear for the military. Afterwards, the factory closed in 1945. In 2003 Tannery Row became home to the Tannery Row Artist Colony, which houses galleries and studios for artists. After the Great Depression the use of horses for farming decreased and tractors took their place, and
5727-423: The spring and summer, with a warning appearing at least biannually, occasionally with more than one per year. Tornado activity in the Gainesville area is above Georgia state average and is 108% greater than the overall U.S. average. Gainesville was the site of a deadly F4 on June 1, 1903 , which killed 98 people. Gainesville was the site of the fifth deadliest tornado in U.S. history in 1936, in which Gainesville
5810-419: The success of Tupperware , was born in Buford, as was semi-retired professional wrestler and trainer Steve Lawler . Several musicians live in Buford, including Widespread Panic guitarist Jimmy Herring and De'Angelo Holmes of the hip-hop duo Ying Yang Twins . Grammy Award-winning songwriter Joe South lived in Buford before his death on September 5, 2012. Gainesville, Georgia Gainesville
5893-408: The total population in the city in 2010 (and a higher proportion of the working-age population). It is the most well-known business in the area, with statewide revenue exceeding $ 3 billion. These jobs have attracted numerous Hispanic workers, adding to the diversity of families in the city and county. The proportion of Hispanic and Latino residents is more than 40 percent of the city's population, where
5976-618: The venue for the rowing and kayaking medal competitions, which were staged on Lake Lanier. Gainesville gained accreditation of its Parks and Recreation Department in 2001. This was the third department in the state to be accredited. The Lakeside water treatment plant opened in 2002. The city has sponsored new social activities, including the Spring Chicken Festival in 2003, the Art in the Square gathering in 2004, and "Dredgefest" in 2008. 2008 saw
6059-419: The year as typical of southeastern U.S. cities, with February on average having the highest average precipitation at 5.3 inches (130 mm), and April typically being the driest month with 3.7 inches (94 mm). As of the 2020 United States census , there were 17,144 people, 5,003 households, and 3,607 families residing in the city. Buford, as with the rest of Gwinnett County, has a sales tax of 6%, which
6142-584: The year, as well as an event center. It is also an affiliate of the Arts Council and provides art classes for both children and adults. The Gainesville Symphony Orchestra (GSO) was a volunteer orchestra founded in 1982 as the Lanier Symphony Orchestra. However, due to a lack in funding during the Great Recession , the GSO shut down in 2013 after almost 30 years of operation. Gainesville is also home to
6225-424: Was 1,161.6 people per square mile (448.5 people/km ). There were 12,967 housing units at an average density of 445.6 units per square mile (172.0 units/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 54.2% White , 15.2% African American , 0.6% Native American , 3.2% Asian , 0.2% Pacific Islander , 23.4% from other races , and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 41.6% of
6308-505: Was a Major League Baseball outfielder between 1925 and 1926 for the Washington Senators (1925), Boston Red Sox (1925–26), and New York Yankees (1926), was born in Buford. Several professional athletes have graduated from Buford High School, including wide receiver P. K. Sam and his younger brother quarterback Lorne Sam , as well as professional WNBA player Christi Thomas . Brownie Wise , saleswoman largely responsible for
6391-890: Was a segregated school created in 1962 in response to court demands for equalization of resources for Black students. After the integration of public schools, it was closed in 1969. The Gainesville City School District holds pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of five elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. The district has 282 full-time teachers and over 4,438 students. Its lone high school, Gainesville High School boasts several notable alumni, including Deshaun Watson , Cleveland Browns quarterback, Cris Carpenter , former professional baseball player ( St. Louis Cardinals , Florida Marlins , Texas Rangers , Milwaukee Brewers ), Tasha Humphrey , professional basketball player, and Micah Owings , current professional baseball player ( Arizona Diamondbacks , Cincinnati Reds , San Diego Padres ). The mascot for Gainesville High School
6474-459: Was destroyed by fire. Around 1870, after the Civil War , Gainesville began to grow. In 1871 The Atlanta and Richmond Air-Line Railway , later re-organized into The Atlanta and Charlotte Air Line Railroad , began to stop in Gainesville, increasing its ties to other markets and stimulating business and population. It grew from 1,000 in 1870, to over 5,000 by 1900. By 1898, textile mills had become
6557-408: Was devastated and 203 people were killed. In April 1974 , an F4 tornado 22.6 miles away from the Gainesville city center killed six people and injured thirty. In December 1973, an F3 tornado 2.1 miles away from the city center injured twenty-one people. Both storms caused between $ 500,000 and $ 5,000,000 in property damages. On March 20, 1998 , an F3 tornado impacted the Gainesville metro area early in
6640-474: Was established as "Mule Camp Springs" by European-American settlers in the early 1800s. Less than three years after the organization of Hall County on December 15, 1818, Mule Camp Springs was renamed "Gainesville" on April 21, 1821. It was named in honor of General Edmund P. Gaines , a hero of the War of 1812 and a noted military surveyor and road-builder. Gainesville was selected to be the county seat and chartered by
6723-744: Was located in Buford from 1999 until 2006, when the company moved to a larger facility in Pendergrass, Georgia . Buford has several walking trails throughout the city; over 7 miles (11 km) of trails are accessible from both the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center and the Mall of Georgia including a portion of the Ivy Creek Greenway , which runs through the city. Buford has walking trails at Bogan and Buford Dam parks. Bogan Park also has several baseball fields and playgrounds as well as
6806-472: Was revamped into a program allowing qualified young women to earn college credits during the time in their lives in which they would normally complete high school studies. Gainesville has several institutions of higher education: University of North Georgia (formerly Gainesville State College ), which was established January 8, 2013, as a result of the consolidation of North Georgia College and State University and Gainesville State College; Brenau University ,
6889-508: Was still largely inhabited by the Cherokee until the 1830s. The first non-Native Americans moved to the Buford area in the late 1820s or early 1830s, although the Buford area was not largely settled by them until the 1860s. During the post-Civil War construction of the extended Richmond and Danville Railroad System in 1865, railroad stockholders Thomas Garner and Larkin Smith purchased land around
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