Like most suburbs of Atlanta, Duluth began as a tree-filled section of Native American land located near the Chattahoochee River. Also like other suburbs, Duluth's success can be credited to one individual. In the case of Duluth, Evan Howell was the determined visionary who moved to the area to contribute to the new community's development.

Evan Howell was a very resourceful man. He saw the promise of the land and did everything he could to help it prosper. One of his first missions of sorts was to create more roads leading to the area. At the time, only Peachtree Road was operational, but Evan sought permission to construct additional transportation networks. In 1833, this permission was granted, and a road was constructed from the banks of the Chattahoochee River, across his land, and connected to Peachtree Road.

For 40 years after the construction of this road, the town became known as Howell's Cross Roads. During this time, Howell had his hand in many different industries. He ran his own plantation and cotton gin by ferry across the Chattahoochee, and became the town's first merchant by selling goods. This attracted more residents to the area, including John Knox, who would become the city's first mayor.

But it wasn't until the 1870s that Duluth would receive its proper name. However, the man who built the town wouldn't have the honor of naming the city. That honor was granted to Evan's grandson, who appropriately also had the name of Evan Howell. Inspired by Duluth, Minnesota's fight for a railway of its own, Evan chose that name for his town and opened a new chapter in the city's history.