If you live in Atlanta, visit often, or are just curious about the city’s story, one of the first questions you might ask is: What year was Atlanta founded?
Atlanta was founded in 1837 as a railroad terminus in what was then frontier land of north Georgia. However, the city did not become officially incorporated as “Atlanta” until 1847.
Understanding those two dates—1837 and 1847—helps make sense of how Atlanta grew from a railroad stop in the woods into the major city you know today.
Here’s a quick overview of the most important early dates in Atlanta’s history:
| Year | What Happened | Why It Matters for Atlanta Today |
|---|---|---|
| 1837 | Area chosen as the terminus of the Western & Atlantic Railroad | This is considered the founding year of Atlanta. The city’s rail roots still shape its layout and economy. |
| 1843 | The settlement officially named Marthasville | Early town identity forms; sometimes called Atlanta’s “pre-name.” |
| 1847 | Town renamed and incorporated as Atlanta | Atlanta becomes an official city with a new, permanent name. |
| 1864 | Battle and burning of Atlanta during the Civil War | Major turning point; explains why so little pre–Civil War architecture remains. |
| 1868 | Atlanta becomes capital of Georgia | Cemented the city’s role as a political and economic center. |
If you’re answering a trivia question or writing a quick fact, 1837 is the year most people use as the year Atlanta was founded.
Atlanta did not start as a port town or a colonial settlement like some older cities. It began as a railroad project.
In 1837, state engineers selected the spot that is now downtown Atlanta as the southern terminus of the Western & Atlantic Railroad. At the time, the area was mostly forest and rural land with a few scattered homes.
If you walk around Downtown Atlanta today—especially the areas near Five Points—you are essentially walking on top of what started as that 1837 railroad endpoint.
Before it was called Atlanta, the area went through a couple of names:
You may still see the name Marthasville pop up in local business names or historical references around the city, especially in educational or cultural contexts.
In 1847, the town was officially renamed Atlanta and incorporated under that name.
The name “Atlanta” is closely tied to the railroad—many sources note that it was derived from “Atlantic,” as in the Western & Atlantic Railroad, while others emphasize it as a streamlined, more modern-sounding city name.
For residents and visitors today:
Both dates matter, but 1837 is usually treated as the birth of the city.
If you’re in Atlanta and want to connect the founding year to real places, several spots bring the early railroad town to life.
The heart of early Atlanta grew up around what is now:
You won’t find all-original 1830s buildings here because of Civil War destruction and later redevelopment, but the street layout and rail corridors still reflect those early choices from the 1830s and 1840s.
Founded in the 1850s, Oakland Cemetery is one of the best places to feel connected to early Atlanta residents—business owners, politicians, soldiers, and families who lived in the decades after the city’s founding.
You’ll find:
For a deeper dive into Atlanta’s founding story, the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead offers:
This is one of the best stops if you want a clear, visual explanation of how 1837 set everything in motion.
Knowing that Atlanta was founded in 1837 shapes how you see the city today:
For someone moving to Atlanta, visiting for the first time, or helping a child with a school project, knowing these dates can make museums, neighborhoods, and even street names more meaningful.
What year was Atlanta founded?
When did Atlanta get its current name?
What was Atlanta called before “Atlanta”?
Where can I learn about Atlanta’s early history in person?
Knowing that Atlanta was founded in 1837 gives you a starting point for understanding the city’s layout, culture, and rapid transformation from a railroad endpoint to the Atlanta you experience today.
