History of Snellville and Snellville Days

Snellville Then and Now by Christie Eagleson

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Officially 83 years old, the City of Snellville has grown into a prosperous and successful community. Mingling with historic reminders, modern structures serve as a display of how much our wonderful city has grown and matured. Once known as the homestead of New London, the city of Snellville received its name sometime in the 1880’s from its founders, Thomas Snell and James Sawyer, and obtained its charter from the General Assembly of the State of Georgia in 1923.

Two of the more prominent historic landmarks in Snellville are Snellville Baptist Church (now 1st Baptist Church of Snellville) and Snellville Methodist Church (now Snellville United Methodist Church). The first church in Snellville is reportedly Darian Baptist Church, which began services August 12, 1882 in the local schoolhouse. In 1883 the church changed its name to Snellville Baptist and completed their first building August 13, 1883. In September of the same year, Snellville United Methodist Church was organized and held its services in the local schoolhouse. A year before the city received its charter, a new school house was built near the present-day Methodist Church where it remained until 1977. The old schoolhouse was partially demolished, the granite section of the school torn down but the brick addition of the school remaining. When the granite was torn down, residents salvaged keepsake pieces of the stone. Today the old brick section of the school serves as City Hall. Visitors might notice large granite pieces of the older part of the school serving as seats and supports near the entrance of City Hall and on the lawn. Old fixtures in the restrooms are also reminiscent of the building’s prior use as an elementary school. In 2002, the building was part of a property exchange with the Methodist Church as City Hall will be relocating to what is now Snellville Oaks Shopping Center, across the street from the Baptist Church.

The first business located in the city was a supply store owned by none other than the founders themselves, Thomas Snell and James Sawyer. Snell & Sawyer Dry Goods Store was a small wooden structure built near the main intersection of U.S. Hwy. 78 and GA 124. Following the dissolution of the partnership, Sawyer retained the building, improving it by building granite walls above and around the old frame. He then had the wood frame dismantled from the inside and rebuilt elsewhere. The new granite building remained, owned by various merchants, until it was destroyed in the 1960’s and replaced by Atha’s service station. In that spot today, residents will find an auto service shop. Presently, there are approximately 1,200 businesses (including home-based), 3 schools, 12 churches, and one major hospital within the city limits.

The first Snellville Days festival, held in 1974, was originally planned as a one-time event to help raise funds to develop T. W. Briscoe Park as a community gathering place but city officials found the response to be so overwhelming that they decided to make it an annual event. The two-day event has since grown to become one of the greatest craft and community festivals in the Atlanta area. Planning for the event is a year-long process undertaken by the city staff, appointed members of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, and Snellville Days Committee which consists of a number of volunteers. The old parade route followed U.S. Hwy. 78, but was changed in more recent years due to increased traffic volume. The route presently goes down Henry Clower Boulevard from the Baptist Church to Lenora Church Road, turns right and follows Lenora Church Road until it turns right on Civic Drive and continues down to City Hall. In earlier years, the parade had grown so much that it lasted two hours; the parade has since purposefully been reduced to approximately an hour. Festivities following the opening ceremonies once consisted of simple games such as dunking booths and local crafts and entertainment but have been greatly expanded to include clowns, hand-made arts and crafts from almost 200 vendors, live entertainment, food booths, a children’s activity center, the Dog and Disc Competition, the Orphan Car Show and, beginning this year, a museum sponsored by the Snellville Historical Society. Sponsors and vendors have contributed to the success of the festival and allowed for minimal cost the to the City. Additionally, the annual celebration is touted as one of the top 20 tourism events in May according to the Southeastern Tourism Society, but still holds that small town flavor.

Come celebrate with this 83-year-old city at the 35th Annual Snellville Days Festival. The City has come so far and accomplished so much it is no wonder it is one of the fastest growing cities in Gwinnett County.