The area on which Atlanta now stands was once home to the Creeks and the Cherokees. By the year 1813, the Creeks had been convinced by the British to help the British defeat the American forces in the War of 1812. The Creeks attacked Fort Mims, Alabama, killing hundreds of men, women and children. The war escalated and became known as the Creek War. Following the War of 1812, the Creek land, located in the eastern part of Atlanta was opened for white settlement. The Cherokee ceded their land to the US government in exchange for land in the western states. This was under the treaty known as the Treaty of New Echota, the action eventually brought about the Trail of Tears.

It was the planned arrival of the railroad that signaled the beginning of the city in 1837. It was originally the terminus of a railroad. In 1838, Henry Irby opened a tavern and grocery store on a spur of the road and the paths to it became Paces Ferry Road and Roswell Road. In 1839, the first general store opened in the vicinity and was operated by Misters Thrasher and Johnson. In1840 Henry Irby had a buck’s head displayed on a pole in front of his tavern and the area became known as Buckhead.

In 1842, the citizens opted to have the city named Lumpkin, after their governor, Wilson Lumpkin. The governor however requested that the town be named after his daughter, so it became Marthasville.

At some point, about 1845, a chief engineer of the Georgia Railroad suggested that it be named Atlantica-Pacifica. Well, those were mighty big words for a town that had not yet seen its first train traffic, so it was shortened to Atlanta, the name by which it was eventually incorporated in 1847! The trains did start coming to Atlanta just after the name Atlanta was decided on in 1845.

In time, Atlanta would become a hub of railroad activity with several railroad companies providing service to the city. In time, a different time, only a few short years away, Atlanta's prominence would make it a target for Union forces during the Civil War. Under the orders of General Sherman, the buildings of Atlanta were put to the torch, with the exception of churches and hospitals.

 GENERAL ATTRACTIONS FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN:

Atlanta Cyclorama and Civil War Museum - The world's largest painting and the locomotive, "Texas" are here.

Tour of Margaret Mitchell's House before Gone With the Wind and after.

Visit Six Flags of Atlanta.

While visiting Atlanta, check into the activites scheduled at Piedmont Park.

If you're into marine life and really like huge aquariums, check out the Atlanta Aquarium

You'll be impressed with the Atlanta Zoo .

Explore the many activites offered at Stone Mountain, just 16 miles east of Downtown Atlanta.

For information on various tours of Atlanta attractions, click here.

NIGHTLIFE ATTRACTIONS:

For a very complete, detailed listing of the nightlife scene in Atlanta, visit Atlanta Nightguide.