Milledgeville was designed as a Capital city and chartered in 1803. It was selected to be the state capital because of its central location and the abundance of natural springs. The Old Capitol Building sits on the campus of Georgia Military College, just a few blocks from the Georgia College and State University campus.. Milledgeville, known as culture, columns and capitals served as the State Capital until 1868. It was then moved to Atlanta. This truly southern community had little damage done to it during the American Civil War with many fine antebellum homes remaining.