Summerville, Georgia

History
Located in the beautiful northwest Georgia mountains, the City of Summerville, formerly known as “Selma”, is located in Chattooga County.  Early settlers began arriving in the area in the late 1830’s and early 1840’s in what was part of the Cherokee Indian Nation.   “Selma” was designated as the county seat for Chattooga County by the State Legislature on December 31, 1839.  On March 11, 1840, the town of Selma became officially known as “Summerville”.  The first brick home was built in 1842 and by 1851 several businesses were established.  After surviving the Civil War the City continued to prosper and grow.  On December 12, 1897, the first Charter for the City of Summerville was granted by the Georgia Assembly.

Today
Summerville has a population of approximately 5,000 citizens. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs designated the city as an official Georgia Main Street-Better Home Town Community in 2000.  The City government and the Downtown Development Authority administer the Better Hometown program, which promotes downtown revitalization through historic preservation, promotional activities, business recruitment and retention, building improvements and organizational activities.  

Dowdy Park, located in the Downtown Historic District is home to Summerville’s Historic Depot, listed on the National Register of Historic Places; the Summerville Turntable, one of the last operating steam locomotive turntables in the United States; and the Couey House. 

Summerville is 30 minutes from Interstate 75 and will soon resume rail service from the Chattooga & Chickamauga Railway Company.  The City owns an Industrial District, as well as water, sewer and gas utilities.