> Camp Gordon was established near Chamblee in 1917 for training of troops during World War I. It was closed for 23 years. The county purchased it in 1940 and in 1943 it became a naval air station. In 1960 the county took over operation of the airport known as Peachtree DeKalb.Today it is the second busiest airport in the state and the home for the Goodyear Blimp when it visits Atlanta.
 
> Jim Cherry was the superintendent of DeKalb Schools beginning in 1949; the system was funded with 22 different tax levies with 15 school districts managing 48 schools eleven of them being one room Negro school houses. Mr. Cherry created a unified school system bringing all the districts into one overall county district.  Mr. Cherry retired in 1972. Today there are two school districts in the county, the DeKalb School System and the Decatur City School System.