History Of Atlanta

Atlanta is one of America’s newest cities, only being founded in the 19th century. Before this, the area that now constitutes the city of Atlanta was the home of Cherokee and Creek Indians. 1825 saw the Creek Nation bow to the aggression of the white man and concede possession of their land. The Cherokee held out for another 10 years before relinquishing the areas which they had called home for so long. The official seizure of these lands by the state of Georgia was the catalyst for the infamous Trail of Tears.

The founding of Atlanta

The official founding of the city is documented as having occurred in 1837 and was first named Marthasville as a tribute to the daughter of the governor. It was later named Atlanta on account of its position at the end of the Western & Atlantic railroad line. The legacy of that line is still highly evident to this day with the city remaining one of America’s and indeed the world’s most integral transportation hubs.

The Civil War

During the Civil War years, the city was vital to the Confederacy on account of its four rail lines and various local industries such as iron foundries, mills, warehouses, carriage and wheelwright shops and tanneries. The Yankees realised the importance of the city in July 1864 and led by General William Tecumseh Sherman, they began their drive to Atlanta from Chattanooga. Surrender was inevitable and occurred just two months later. After the surrender, Sherman ordered a blitz of the town reducing it to dust and rubble and rendering all of its previously useful structures completely redundant.

The city has seen rapid growth since it’s founding and now has a population of around 420,000. Evidence of the city’s growth can be measured by its ever changing skyline which sees new buildings being built at an incredibly fast rate.