Founded in 1833, Cumming thrived in the 1830s and 1840s due to gold mining, though it faced a severe depression once the California gold rush of 1849 happened. For many years, Cumming was overlooked as federal roads and railroads passed around it. Though that might have been a positive, because the city saw no action during the Civil War. Today however, due largely to the construction of the Georgia 400 highway, the community is blossoming.