ROOTED HERE
The history of Sandy Springs
Sandy Springs combines the City Springs civic and cultural district with neighborhoods such as Riverside and the commercial Perimeter Center area. The Chattahoochee River forms part of its western boundary.
People who shaped Sandy Springs
These milestones are an introduction, not a complete local history. Follow the linked city and museum sources to explore the people and places behind them.Read the local historical account.
Watch the city’s history
FROM THE ARCHIVES
City of Sandy Springs Celebrates 20 Years: Oral History Video
A local history film shared by City of Sandy Springs.
Watch on YouTube ↗- 1842
The oldest house
The Austin-Johnson House, the oldest house in Sandy Springs, was built on what is now Johnson Ferry Road.
Visit Sandy Springs ↗ - 1851
A church by the springs
Wilson Spruill gave five acres near the springs for Sandy Springs United Methodist Church. The area around it grew into the community's center.
Visit Sandy Springs ↗ - 1960s
Highways and housing
Interstate 285 and the first phase of GA 400 opened, linking the rural community to metro Atlanta and starting a housing boom.
Visit Sandy Springs ↗ - 1975
A cityhood committee
Residents formed the Committee for Sandy Springs to seek incorporation. Bills calling for a referendum failed in the legislature year after year.
Leadership Sandy Springs historical plaque ↗ - 2005
A cityhood vote
On June 21, 2005, 94 percent of Sandy Springs voters backed incorporation.
Leadership Sandy Springs historical plaque ↗ - 2005
A new city
Sandy Springs officially became a city on December 1, 2005, with Eva Galambos as its first mayor.
Leadership Sandy Springs historical plaque ↗ - 2018
City Springs
The City Springs complex, home to the new City Hall, held its grand opening on May 7, 2018.
Northside Neighbor ↗
See the history for yourself.
Walk the local neighborhood history Historic District, one of Sandy Springs’ oldest residential neighborhoods, where houses date from around 1880. Check current opening hours before visiting the Sandy Springs city scene.
For deeper research, the Sandy Springs library resources is a starting point for archival material and research help. Historic photographs have their own permissions; we link to the collection instead of treating every old image as free to reuse.
Selected milestones researched September 13, 2026. This is an introduction, not a complete account of the city’s history.