DeKalb was established as Georgia’s 56th county and is situated on a natural ridge that runs between Atlanta and Athens, the Continental Divide. The southern boundary is the South River and the northern boundary is the Hightower Trail, a trading path used by Indians. The county has 269 square miles. DeKalb was established from parts of Henry, Fayette and Gwinnett Counties with the General Assembly of the State of Georgia appointing five commissioners who picked land lot 246 in the 15th militia district as the county site.