Colerain, Georgia facts for kids

Colerain was once a small town in Camden County, Georgia, in the United States. Today, it no longer exists as a town, but its history is still remembered. It's known as a "populated place" by the GNIS, which means it was once a community where people lived.

A Look Back at Colerain

Early Days as a Trading Post

The community of Colerain began as a small trading post. It was located right on the St. Marys River. This river forms the border between Florida and Georgia. Colonel James Grant, who was the first governor of British East Florida, helped pay for a part of King's Road. This important road stretched from New Smyrna Beach in Florida all the way to Colerain.

A Place for Treaties and Trade

In the mid-1790s, Colerain became very important for trade. It was the first place where the United States government set up a special 'factory' for trading with the Creek Indians. This factory was a place where goods were exchanged. However, it was later moved to a new place called Fort Wilkinson in 1797.

Colerain was also the site where an important agreement was signed. This was the Treaty of Colerain, signed on June 29, 1796. The treaty was between the Creek Indians and the United States government. It helped to expand the border between the U.S. and Creek lands further west. It also allowed for the building of Fort Wilkinson and said that the trading factory should move there.

Building Roads and Connections

Between 1824 and 1827, a road called the Federal Military Road was built. This road started in Colerain and went south through Clark's Ferry in Florida, all the way to Tampa. The United States government built this road to improve military travel in the area. It also aimed to help more settlers move into the region.

Where Did the Name Come From?

There are two main ideas about how Colerain got its name. One story says it was named after a local Native American leader called "Coleraine." Another idea is that the name came from a town in Coleraine, Ireland.