Уолтон округі: тарихы мен географиясы

County in Georgia, United States
the Walton County which existed in the state's northeast from 1803 to 1811

Walton County is a county located in the Middle Georgia portion of the U. S. State of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 96,673. It is located about 30 miles east of the state capital, the city of Atlanta. Monroe is the county seat; Loganville is another major city. Walton County is part of the Atlanta Sandy Springs Roswell, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Walton County was created on December 15, 1818. It is named for George Walton, one of the three men from Georgia who signed the United States Declaration of Independence. The other two were Button Gwinnett and Lyman Hall. A Supreme Court ruling in April 1946 had ruled that white primaries were unconstitutional, enabling some black citizens in Georgia to cast ballots for the first time during the primary race later that summer. In 1998, local people arranged a biracial memorial service honoring the victims, which was held at Moore's Ford Bridge. Since then a local interracial committee organized to rekindle attention to the case, in hopes of bringing justice to the victims. They also gained state support to erect the historical highway marker noted above to mark the unsolved murders and commemorate the victims. Fire in a Canebrake: The Last Mass Lynching in America (2003), by author Laura Wexler, is among the books to explore the case and social context, and related evidence, including reference to contemporary FBI reports in the investigation ordered under President Truman. In the early 21st century, the US Department of Justice reopened an investigation into the cold case, but they were unable to gain sufficient evidence to prosecute any survivors among the more than 50 suspects that FBI files from 1946 had suggested had been involved in the lynching. A local multi ethnic committee continues to press for the case to be reviewed again in hopes of bringing justice to the victims. In February 2014 they presented a video to the Walton Board of Commissioners about the case.

According to the U. S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 330 square miles (855 km2), of which 326 square miles (844 km2) is land and 4.3 square miles (11 km2) (1.3%) is water. The county is located in the Piedmont region of the state. The western half of Walton County, in a half circle from Social Circle through Monroe to northeast of Loganville, is located in the Upper Ocmulgee River sub basin of the Altamaha River basin. The eastern part of the county, east of that curve, is located in the Upper Oconee River sub basin of the same Altamaha River basin.

Walton County has a six member commission elected from single member districts. This legislative body can pass laws for the county and tax bills. The county chairman is elected at large to serve as the leader. If a seat becomes vacant during the term, the governor can appoint someone to fill the seat, based on recommendations. In 2015, two of the six positions were filled by appointees.

Walton County School District is the local school district for all sections except those in Social Circle. Areas in Social Circle are in the Social Circle City School District.