Before it was Atlanta, the name was "Marthasville." Meet Martha...
In 1836, the Georgia General Assembly voted to build the Western and Atlantic Railroad to provide a link between the port of Savannah and the Midwest. Stephen Harriman Long was hired to determine the optimal route of the new line. In 1837, he drove a stake into the ground near Five Points in modern-day Downtown Atlanta to mark the new rail line's "terminus."
In 1839, John Thrasher built homes and a general store in this vicinity and the settlement was nicknamed Thrasherville. In 1842, the original terminus location was moved to what would become State Square, on Wall Street between Central Avenue and Pryor Street. Here, the the Zero Mile Post was erected to mark the location. As the settlement grew, it became known as Terminus, literally meaning "end of the line." By 1842, the settlement at Terminus had six buildings and 30 residents. After a two-story brick depot was built, the locals asked that the settlement of Terminus be called Lumpkin, after Governor Wilson Lumpkin. Gov. Lumpkin asked them to name it after his young daughter (Martha) instead, and Terminus became Marthasville. The city was officially incorporated on December 23, 1843. |
In 1845, the chief engineer of the Georgia Railroad (J. Edgar Thomson) suggested that Marthasville be renamed "Atlantica-Pacifica", which was quickly shortened to "Atlanta".
Women of Distinction Tour created by ATLsherpaHelping you connect with ATL's past, present and future. Stay curious and keep exploring!
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The Story of Marthasville (Stories of Atlanta)
How & Where to Connect
The best place to connect with Martha Lumpkin is at Historic Oakland Cemetery. You will find instructions on how to find her below...
ELSEWHERE IN GEORGIA...
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Getting there...
Historic Oakland Cemetery
248 Oakland Ave SE Atlanta, GA 30312 Driving Directions | Visitor Info | Cemetery Map |
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Don't miss...Historic Oakland Cemetery is Atlanta’s oldest public park and the final resting place of many of the city’s most noted citizens. The best way to explore its 48 acres is to attend some events or sign up for some of their excellent tours:NEARBY
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Learn more...
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