Polk County, Georgia’s been around since 1851, named after President James K. Polk and tucked into the scenic Coosa Valley of Northwest Georgia. Long before that, the land was treasured by Creek and Cherokee tribes—mainly because of the famous Big Spring, a massive natural limestone spring still flowing today.

According to legend, the Cherokees claimed the land after winning it in a ball game (yep, really). They built a village called Charley Town, but by 1838, the Cherokee people were forced out during the tragic Trail of Tears, with Cedartown becoming a holding camp during their removal.

The Civil War left its mark here too, with Union troops burning down much of Cedartown. But Polk County bounced back—first with iron and slate mining, then with booming cotton mills from companies like Goodyear and Julliard.

These days, Polk County’s a mix of history and progress. From thriving industrial parks to scenic stops like the Silver Comet Trail and the ever-iconic Big Spring, it’s a place where past and present flow right alongside each other.