Whitesburg was settled in 1860 and incorporated in 1874.  Named for Andrew J. White, a railroad official, it became the first rail center of Carroll County providing freight access from Savannah to northwest Georgia.  In its beginnings, the city had 13 businesses, a stage coach business operated by W.H. Baker, a railroad depot, school, two churches, a restaurant, a lumber mill and three taverns.  The first school in Whitesburg was built and operated by Professor Henry Newton in 1873 and later became known as Hutchenson College.

Today, this small town is thriving as it begins to experience residential development moving outward from the growth centers of Carrollton, Douglasville and Newnan.   New commercial and service industry is also finding Whitesburg to be a great place to do business including new restaurants, retailers and a community bank. 

The city is providing local residents with a public water system, full-service police protection and an outstanding recreation program offering active and passive activities for every age.  Whitesburg Recreation Park located on Boosterfield Road includes a gymnasium/community center with meeting facilities and a full kitchen, a children’s playground, water park, ballfields and walking trail. 

The city is constantly adding new services and facilities.  Added sidewalks leading from Whitesburg Elementary to the Recreation Park is part of a city-wide “walkable community” initiative underway.  In addition, the city is has opened their first library.  In cooperation with the regional library system, the city and local volunteers, The Friends of the Library, this full-service library serves the southeast area of Carroll County.

Whitesburg sponsors an annual arts and crafts festival, held the second weekend in October. This festival draws about 5,000 visitors with some 100 exhibitors, and gives them all a chance to see “the city with a big heart.”