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Originally founded as Leaksville in 1823, Jonesboro was later renamed in honor of railroad official Samuel G. Jones following the arrival of Macon and Western Railroad in 1846.
About two decades later, the town, originally Jonesborough, was the site of one of the major turning points of the Civil War. The Battle of Jonesborough – the final skirmish in the Atlanta Compaign – ended in Atlanta’s surrender into Union hands, helping bring about Abraham Lincoln’s re-election and the end of the war.
Jonesboro was also made famous by Gone with the Wind, as the family plantation Tara was located near town.
– Caroline Parsley, The 100 Companies