Name derivation: Named in honor of Herschel V. Johnson, who had just completed a term as governor of the state of Georgia. Johnson was a strong advocate of state's rights who wanted to preserve the Union. Following the county being named in his honor, he accepted the nomination as Stephen A. Douglas's vice-president. The move was highly criticized throughout the state.
Acquisition: Creek Land Cession of November 1, 1783
Taken from: Emanuel County, Georgia, Laurens County, Georgia, and Washington County, Georgia
Counties created from:
Cities: Wrightsville (county seat), Kite

Web sites:
National Register of Historic Places in Johnson County, Georgia
Johnson County, Georgia, links