About Atlanta Georgia

The first incarnation of what became Atlanta was built on Native American land belonging to the Creek and Cherokee tribes. Originally called Terminus, the city began as the endpoint of the Western and Atlantic Railway after Decatur residents opposed the construction of the railway terminal. Over the next ten years, Terminus was renamed to Marthasville before it became Atlanta in 1847. One facet that remained consistent, though, was the importance of the city's transportation system.

Although the town had less than ten thousand inhabitants prior to the Civil War, it was billed as "The Gateway to the South" due to its railway infrastructure. As a result, General William Tecumseh Sherman invaded Atlanta during 1864 and subsequently burned it to the ground. From there, he began his infamous March to the Sea, which would severely impact the development of neighboring cities, such as Atlanta's now-suburb of Marietta.

Fortunately, this destruction didn't hamper the development of Atlanta. The city was able to overcome these odds like a phoenix rising from the ashes. This symbol of adversity was referenced in one of the city's many nicknames, "The Phoenix City." Today, the phoenix continues to be an important icon of Atlanta, represented in not only the city's seal, but its flag as well.

Perhaps the pinnacle of the city's regrowth came in 1868 when Atlanta became the capital of Georgia. Nearly 150 years later, the city received another accolade when it was named as the home of the 1994 Summer Olympics. This demonstrated Atlanta's international significance, which it continues to build upon to this day. Future plans for the city include continued development to cement Atlanta as "The New York of the South."