Established in 1803, Baldwin County was developed on lands once held by Creek Indians, and is located in Middle Georgia. The county is named for Abraham Baldwin, a member of the Continental Congress and author of legislation that established the nation’s first charter for a state-supported university, the University of Georgia. Milledgeville, is the county seat, and served as the state capital for 61 years. Milledgeville is named for John Milledge, a Revolutionary leader, member of Congress, Georgia governor, and donor of most of the land on which the university was built. Lake Sinclair stretches through the counties of Baldwin, Hancock, and Putnam. Georgia Power began work on Sinclair Dam in 1929, halted it during the Depression, and finished in 1953, harnessing the Oconee River into a 15,330-acre reservoir between the historic towns of Milledgeville. With approximately 417 miles (671 km) of scenic shoreline, winding coves and inlets as well as several vast stretches of open water, Lake Sinclair offers recreational boating pleasure. Milledgeville (Baldwin County) is the largest city on Lake Sinclair, though most of the lake is located in Putnam County.