Gibson's name was derived from Judge William Gibson, a former Confederate colonel and commanding officer of the 48th Georgia, who donated $500 for Glascock County's first public building, the courthouse.

[6] Gibson was founded in 1858 as the seat of the newly formed Glascock County.

[7] Gibson is located slightly northeast of the center of Glascock County at 33°13′58″N 82°35′43″W / 33.23278°N 82.59528°W / 33.23278; -82.59528 (33.232737, -82.595301).

Augusta, 44 miles (71 km) to the northeast, is the closest large city.

[5] Rocky Comfort Creek, a southeast-flowing tributary of the Ogeechee River, passes through the northern part of Gibson.