| Although Atlanta, Georgia, was not actually | | | | slaves accounted for approximately twenty-five |
| incorporated until well into 1847, it existed for a long | | | | percent of that number. Between 1862 and 1864, there |
| time before that. It had been called Marthasville in 1843. | | | | were 20,000 people mainly because it was being used |
| The small town was named after Martha Lumpkin, the | | | | as a military hospital for the Confederate Army during |
| daughter of Wilson Lumpkin who had previously been | | | | the Civil War. |
| the governor. Lumpkin was trying to convince the | | | | Atlanta was confirmed a military zone in 1864 and all |
| residents to allow the railroad to go through the little | | | | the residents were forced to evacuate. A few months |
| town. | | | | later, Sherman burned down the town of Atlanta. Not |
| Two years later, the little group of buildings called | | | | long after that, the residents of Atlanta returned to find |
| Marthasville was changed to the name Atlanta which | | | | their homes burned and even the railroad destroyed. |
| was Martha Lumpkin's middle name. That same year, | | | | Although the people felt discouraged by this situation, |
| the railroad came through the area. The Chief Engineer | | | | they didn't let this damage to drive them away. They |
| of the Georgia Railroad, John Thomson, decided to | | | | worked together to build shanty houses at first so |
| change the name of the small town in 1845. During the | | | | they could stay in their little town of Atlanta. |
| previous year, a newcomer Jonathon Norcross, | | | | When their bank was opened in 1865, businesses |
| moved his sawmill and lumber yard business into the | | | | began to rebuild; and within another year there were |
| area. | | | | 250 businesses that had rebuilt. There were 20,000 |
| Prior to that year, the only business there was the | | | | people counted in the 1866 census. Georgia claimed |
| post office. Within the next couple of years, Atlanta | | | | Atlanta as its capital in 1868. |
| got its first doctor, school, first newspaper and another | | | | Back in 1813, prior to the building of the first fort, this |
| railroad called the Macon and Western. By 1848, | | | | area had belonged to the Creek Indians who |
| Atlanta was ready for its first election and there were | | | | surrendered it in 1821. At that time, counties were |
| just 215 voters. Besides their first mayor, they also | | | | created to define the area. They were called Henry |
| elected 6 councilmen for the city. | | | | and Fayette Counties. |
| According to historical documents, there was a | | | | Today, Atlanta is considered the fastest growing city in |
| homicide in Atlanta at that time. Because of that, the | | | | the United States with its current residents adding up |
| councilmen decided to hire a town marshal and build a | | | | to almost a half million people. Atlanta works at being |
| jail. | | | | eco-friendly and is full of cultural events and |
| The next year Atlanta got its very first telegraph | | | | organizations. Besides being a beautiful modern city, |
| which opened up communication between this town | | | | Atlanta appreciates and cherishes its historical roots. |
| and other areas. That same year, there was a major | | | | It is rated third in the country having Fortune 500 |
| fire in Atlanta that affected the livery stable and | | | | companies. Considered the city with the fastest |
| several businesses. Because of this tragedy, the | | | | growing millionaire population, Atlanta demonstrates |
| residents decided to form a volunteer fire department. | | | | growth financially but also is known to be good at |
| By the year 1860, the census showed that there were | | | | balancing itself as it continues to grow. |
| almost 8,000 residents which included slaves. The | | | | |