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Civil War and Gone with the Wind
Clayton County
was the site of heavy fighting during the Civil War. After the
battles of Rough and Ready and Jonesboro, the Confederate armies
were forced to evacuate the area. General Sherman then began his
"March to the Sea" in late 1864. Margaret Mitchell, author of "Gone
With The Wind," placed Scarlett O'Hara's beloved Tara at a
fictional location in Clayton County. Much of the action of her
work is based on historical events which she found on record at the
old Clayton County Courthouse in Jonesboro.
For many years, Clayton County was
a quiet, agricultural area. In fact, 75 years lapsed before a
dramatic change was to take place, reshaping and transforming the
county into the thriving, progressive urban area we know today.
Clayton County has become a culturally diverse community. Today, it
is estimated that minority groups including African-American,
Latinos, and Asian Americans make up for more than a third of the
county's population. More than 40 different languages or dialects
are spoken by children attending Clayton County Public Schools.
Clayton County has emerged as a natural setting for commerce,
industry, business and people due to its location and the
availability of resources and transportation services.