All About Atlanta

878 Words2 Pages

There is one place in Southeastern United States that stands out. Georgia is an important State in this area and Atlanta is its center. Atlanta, Georgia is a huge city that is home to 420, 003 individuals as of 2010 census. This vital hub in the Southeastern United States provides the all important transportation center for the region thus making the city a crucial part in business. Highways, railroads and air transport connect Atlanta and its surrounding cities and towns to the rest of the country and the world. Suffice to say, Atlanta is a strategic location for business and commerce for Georgia.

The history behind the name

Before the Europeans settled in this area, the Creek and Cherokee Native Americans in habited the region. In 1821, the Creek left their settlement as part of the drive to remove the Native Americans in the area during the time. In just a year, new settlers moved in and replaced the Native Americans. By 1836, the Georgia General Assembly agreed to create a system of railways to connect different parts of the country. This endeavor required a survey of the land and to choose the initial route of the train. The first point called the terminus. At this point, the engineer drove a state to mark the zero milepost of the railroad system. This was also referred to as the Five Points. In just a year or so, a community emerged around the zero mile post and was initially called Terminus. But it was renamed Thrashville in honor of the local merchant who help start the community. After some time, it was renamed Marthasville but the Chief Engineer of Georgia suggested that the place be called Atlanta-Pacifica. The name showcased the audacious goal of connecting the country from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic cost. Eventually the name was shortened to Atlanta and the name was used since its incorporation on December 29, 1847. By 1860, the town grew to 9,554 residents from a mere 30 back in 1842.

A social rebirth

In the 1960’s Atlanta became the center of the Civil Rights Movements. Having Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Ralph David Abernathy as two of the most prominent civil rights advocates, Georgia played host to numerous social rebirths and changes. In fact, Mayor Ivan Allen Jr.

Open Document