Gwinnett County Won’t Take The Promise Land By Eminent Domain

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In a surprising turn of events, Gwinnett County said that they have decided not to take the land affectionately known as “The Promise Land” owned by the Livesy Family in Snellville. When the word got out that this was about to happen, the Black community went into rally mode. So much has been taken from Black people throughout history, there was no way that the Black community was going to sit quietly by and say nothing about this event. In this day and age many Blacks are finally in positions where they can and are acquiring land, and to have land taken from a family who has owned it for over 100 years was going to cause a national fight.

To add fuel to the fire, there was a conversation from Commissioner Ben Ku where the question was asked did Mr. Livesy really want to put slave quarters on the land. Talking about taking 100 steps backwards. Mr. Ku was hit with many comments on Facebook and some of them were not nice as you can imagine. The optics, from this entire situation looked really bad and in my opinion would have been political suicide for any political leader who would have signed off on the takeover.

The Press Release Issued By The County

A Little History About The Promise Land

The Promised Land and Lake Sheryl located in Snellville, Georgia, have a rich history that dates back to the early 1800s. Originally owned by Thomas Maguire, the land was purchased by the Livesy family in the early 1900s and has remained in their possession ever since.

The Livesy family, originally from England, settled in Snellville in the late 1800s. They quickly became prominent members of the community, and their influence can still be seen today. In 1903, the family purchased the Promised Land property from Thomas Maguire. The property was named after a passage in the Bible where God promises to give the Israelites a land flowing with milk and honey. The Livesys believed that their new property was their own promised land, hence the name.

The Promised Land property was originally used as a dairy farm, and the Livesys made a name for themselves as successful dairy farmers. They also began to develop the property, adding a large lake, which they named Lake Sheryl after their daughter.

The lake quickly became a popular destination for locals, and in the 1920s, the Livesys began to open the property up to the public. They built a dance hall, a picnic area, and a swimming beach, and soon the Promised Land and Lake Sheryl became one of the most popular recreational spots in the area.

Over the years, the Promised Land and Lake Sheryl have continued to be a beloved part of the Snellville community. The property has been used for countless events and celebrations, including weddings, family reunions, and company picnics. It has also been a popular spot for fishing, boating, and swimming, and the Livesy family has always been proud to share their little piece of paradise with the community.

In the late 1960s, the property faced a new challenge when the city of Snellville began to expand. The Livesys were offered large sums of money for the land, but they refused to sell. They believed that the Promised Land and Lake Sheryl were too important to the community to be turned into a shopping center or housing development.

In the end, the Livesys were able to preserve their beloved property, and today the Promised Land and Lake Sheryl remain a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. The property has been designated as a historic site by the city of Snellville, and the Livesy family has been recognized for their contributions to the community.

In conclusion, the Promised Land and Lake Sheryl have a long and rich history in Snellville, Georgia. Originally owned by Thomas Maguire, the property was purchased by the Livesy family in the early 1900s and has remained in their possession ever since. The property has been used for farming, recreation, and community events, and has always been a beloved part of the Snellville community. Today, the Promised Land and Lake Sheryl remain a testament to the importance of preserving our history and our natural resources for future generations to enjoy.