Houston County (pronounced House-ton), the 51st county formed in Georgia, was created in 1821. Originally part of the Creek nation’s land, the county was named for John Houston, a member of the Continental Congress and Governor of Georgia from 1778 to 1784.

Perry is named in honor of Oliver Hazard Perry, the naval officer who said “We have met the enemy and they are ours,” after a fleet under his command defeated the British at Lake Erie.