The lands that would eventually be Sweetwater are noted in a grant of reservation to Issac Vann in “Sweet Water” dated July 10, 1817, from the Cherokee Agency of the Office of Indian Affairs. Development continued along the Sweetwater Creek, spurred on by the coming of the East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad. By 1852, lots were being sold by I.T. Lenoir for the Town of Sweetwater. An election was held in 1875 to incorporate the present-day City of Sweetwater. The first Mayor was J.W. Clark.
