Lost Black Land of Forsyth County is a research project focused on documenting the land once owned by Black families who lived in Forsyth County, Georgia, prior to the 1912 racial expulsion. That year, the county’s Black population was forced out through a campaign of violence and intimidation.
The project traces land ownership before and after the expulsion, follows where some families relocated, and uses historical records such as census data, tax digests, and deeds to piece together what was lost. A key goal is to visualize where this land is today and make the story more tangible for current residents.
By making this history more visible and accessible, the project hopes to encourage reflection and greater public awareness of this chapter in Forsyth County’s past.
Historical Context
In 1912, Forsyth County, Georgia, experienced a wave of racial violence following two incidents: the alleged assault of a white woman and, days later, the rape and murder of another. In response, white mobs used threats, violence, and arson to force more than 1,000 Black residents to flee the county.
This campaign led to the near-total removal of the Black population, many of whom left behind homes, land, and community ties. The impact of that expulsion shaped the county’s demographics for much of the 20th century.
Project Goals
This project aims to:
- Document land owned by Black families in Forsyth County before the 1912 expulsion
- Track how that land changed hands in the years that followed
- Trace where some of the displaced families moved afterward
- Visualize where that land is located today
- Encourage greater public awareness and reflection on this history
Lost Black Land of Forsyth County 