The history of Alpharetta dates back to the 1830’s, when settlers and pioneers traveled to the area seeking the promise of community in land ownership, raising families and fertile farmland. From its humble beginnings as a trading post, the community found prosperity and the City of Alpharetta was established on December 11, 1858; later becoming the seat of government for Milton County.

Alpharetta has known its challenges, from the 1863 smallpox epidemic to the ravages of the Civil War, but has always found a way to persevere and even thrive.  In 1932, with the Great Depression ravaging the nation, Milton County was in a dire financial situation and merged with Fulton County to ensure continuation of services and future prosperity.

Alpharetta remained a small, largely agrarian community through the early 1980’s, but shortly thereafter the city blossomed into one of the most prosperous communities in the United States.  The community that had a population of only 3,000 in 1980 today is home to more than 65,000 residents and sees its population swell to more than 100,000 each workday.  Alpharetta is now Georgia’s 12^th most populous city, boasts some of the best schools in the United States, and is known far and wide as the Technology City of the South due to the large number of tech-focused companies that call Alpharetta home.

Yet, while the community now has the trappings and success of a metropolitan city, Alpharetta remains known for its sense of community; an ideal environment for raising families, making friends, and enjoying a quality of life that is second to none.

Alpharetta and Old Milton County History Museum

The History Museum covers the history of Alpharetta, from its earliest days as Cherokee Indian territory, through its remarkable emergence as one of the nation’s most vibrant high tech cities. From 1858 to 1932, Alpharetta was the county seat of Milton County, which encompassed the present day cities of Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, much of Roswell and portions of northern Sandy Springs. Alpharetta’s history is deeply connected with that of the neighboring cities in North Fulton.

A very special part of the museum will be the stories project kiosk where visitors will be able to enjoy interviews with 70 of Alpharetta’s most interesting citizens. This project began by talking to residents, seven of whom have passed away since sharing their stories on film. The stories project is ongoing with additional interviews planned for the future.

The Alpharetta and Old Milton County History Museum, which was more than two years in the making and which includes stories, photos, and memorabilia contributed by many local residents, was funded by the City of Alpharetta and developed in partnership with the Alpharetta and Old Milton County Historical Society which provided historical research and many of the artifacts display in the new museum.