University of Georgia, Athens

In 27 January 1785, Georgia became the first state to charter a state-supported university, incorporated by an Act of the General Assembly. It was known as the University of Georgia. 40,000 acres were endowed. Abraham Baldwin, a native of Connecticut and graduate of Yale University, came to Georgia in 1784 to be president. Later, in 1801, Governor John Milledge gave the board of trustees 633 acres on the banks of the Oconee River in northeast Georgia. Josiah Meigs was named president in 1804 and began work on the first building.

The first building was known as Franklin College in honor of Benjamin Franklin. The first graduating class was in 1804.

In 1843 courses in law were added. Later, in 1872, agricultural and mechanical arts were funded by the government.

United States Mint Building, Dahlonega, 1877. Its first president was David W. Lewis. The first year registered 177 students, 70 of whom were females. In 1878, Miss Willie Lewis earned her degree, but did not participate in the commencement ceremony due to controversy.

In 1878 a fire destroyed the old mint building, which was later rebuilt on the same foundation and named Price Memorial Building, for WIlliam P. Price of Dahlonega, congressman from Georgia's 6th Dixtrict. When gold mining operations and resources were depleted, the college evolved into Arts and Sciences. In 1916, the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) was established, with 180 officers graduating in 1920, and the school was renamed North Georgia College.