Dacula GA

Dacula, GA at a Glance

Between Atlanta and Athens sits Dacula, a dynamic and rapidly evolving city in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Though the population is modest at less than 4,000 residents, Dacula has grown enormously in recent years.

The city is today distinctive for its colorful local history, magnetic community events, and muscular factions of professional and collegiate athletes, with year-round sports available through the Dacula Athletics Association. It is a place whose memory pulses proudly in the veins of its natives, the oldest of whom may recount the shady details of a 1920's father-son murder, or of the dynamite truck that exploded decades ago near downtown Dacula.

The city's founding dates back to the construction of the Seaboard Railroad, which prompted contractors to set up temporary camps in 1891. Originally Chinquapin Grove, no chinquapin trees actually grew within its borders, and it was Dacula's first Post Master, John W. Freeman, who proposed patching a name using letters taken from neighboring Decatur and Atlanta. The residents apparently approved, and in 1905 Dacula was incorporated, with S.L. Hinton serving as first mayor. The completion of a paved highway from Athens in 1931 contributed to the town's development, and a City Hall was erected in 1935.

Dacula, GA at a Glance

Dacula is served by the Gwinnett County Public Library, which holds free talks and workshops regularly, and by the Gwinnett County Public Schools, ten of which fall within Dacula city lines. The largest school system in the state, GCPS was the winner of the Broad Prize for Education.

Hebron Baptist Church is a strong presence within the Dacula community. Organized in1842 with a house built at Davenport place (later Loveless estate), the church now occupies nearly a whole block at the corner of Dacula and Fence Road. With a 3,850-seat auditorium, it is one of the largest Southern Baptist Churches in the Southeast.

Memorial Day is the biggest event of the year in Dacula and one of the largest Memorial Day Parades in the region takes place here. The multi-event occasion is preceded by a pageant in which young women compete for the crown of "Miss Memorial Day." Marching bands and floats vie for prize distinctions on parade day in honor of veterans of all U.S. Wars. A 5K race is held to benefit Gwinnett County school and athletics programs and arts, crafts and musical performances abound at the Memorial Day Festival.

The Annual Taste of Dacula is another beloved annual celebration. A fundraising event held by and at Dacula High School, it offers samples at a single ticket price from some 30 Dacula area restaurants.

For fresh, healthy and organic local foods, a Dacula farmers' market and a bi-weekly Buyers' Club are available at Rancho Allegre Farm, which also contains picnic pavilions, gardens, and horseback riding as well as summer camps and field trip events for students.