Lawrenceville, Georgia

The year 2021 marks Lawrenceville's bicentennial, and all indications are that the community will enjoy a future just as interesting as its past. Founded in 1821 soon after Gwinnett County was formed, the first major building to be laid out in the village was the county courthouse. Lawrenceville is the county seat and is the second oldest city in the Greater Atlanta area, situated about 30 miles northeast. Today its population is estimated at about 30,000.

Lawrenceville occupies an area of 13.5 square miles, with a historic downtown that is extremely pedestrian friendly. Walkers and cyclists take advantage of well-designed public parks and trails. The city offers sports and exercise facilities for all ages. Express buses and Gwinnett County Transit provide public transportation. Getting away from the city is a breeze: Highway 316 passes through the northern part of Lawrenceville and connects with Highway 29 east toward Athens and Interstate 85 to Atlanta.

Lawrenceville's vibrant downtown is centered by the original courthouse. Aurora Theatre, offering professional performances from Shakespeare to children's theater occupies an historic church building. Shopping and restaurants are convenient. Annual special events highlight the calendar, including popular ghost tours during the summer season. Sports enthusiasts support the Braves, a minor league baseball team, and enjoy the Gwinnett Gladiators, a professional ice hockey team, at nearby Infinite Energy Center. Sugarloaf Mills is a favorite nearby shopping and entertainment destination.

Lawrenceville is named for Commodore James Lawrence, a War of 1812 naval officer best known for the line, "Don't give up the ship!" Most early residents of Lawrenceville farmed cotton or worked in the cotton industry. In the late 1800s, the growth of railroads turned the city into an important freight transport hub. Today Lawrenceville honors its past through preservation of such historic landmarks as the Gwinnett County Courthouse.