When Was Atlanta Established? A Local’s Guide to the City’s Origins
If you live in Atlanta, visit often, or are just trying to understand the city a little better, it helps to know when Atlanta was actually established—and how it went from a railroad stop to the major metro area you see today.
Here’s a clear breakdown of Atlanta’s beginnings, with dates and local landmarks you can still visit to see that history in action.
The Short Answer: When Was Atlanta Established?
Atlanta traces its official origins to the 1840s:
- 1843 – The settlement is officially incorporated as Marthasville.
- 1845 – The Georgia legislature approves the name Atlanta.
- December 29, 1847 – Atlanta is officially incorporated as a city.
So, if you’re asking “When was Atlanta established?”, the commonly accepted civic “birth” is December 29, 1847, when Atlanta became a legally recognized city in Georgia.
However, the story really starts a few years earlier—with railroads and a place simply called Terminus.
Atlanta Before It Was “Atlanta”: Terminus and Marthasville
The Railroad Origins
Atlanta was not founded on a river or harbor like many older cities. Instead, it was created as a railroad hub.
In the late 1830s and early 1840s, Georgia planned a major rail line to connect the state’s interior to the Midwest. Surveyors picked a point where several rail lines would meet—this spot became known as:
- “Terminus” – literally the end of the railroad line.
This area was roughly where Downtown Atlanta is today.
From Terminus to Marthasville
As workers, merchants, and families gathered near the rail lines, a small but growing settlement formed. In 1843, the State of Georgia incorporated this community as a town named Marthasville.
Key point for locals:
- If you walk around Five Points in Downtown today, you’re near the historic heart of Terminus/Marthasville, where Atlanta’s story really began.
When Atlanta Got Its Name
Why “Atlanta”?
In 1845, the town’s name was changed from Marthasville to Atlanta. The name is generally connected to the Western & Atlantic Railroad line that ended in the area.
The new name reflected Atlanta’s identity as a growing transportation hub, not just a small whistle stop.
Official City Incorporation
On December 29, 1847, Atlanta was:
- Incorporated as a city by the Georgia General Assembly.
- Given a city charter, allowing local government, elections, and city services.
For residents and visitors today, this date—1847—is usually treated as the moment Atlanta was formally established as a city.
Key Dates in Atlanta’s Establishment at a Glance
| Year | What Happened | Why It Matters Locally |
|---|---|---|
| Late 1830s–early 1840s | Rail lines are surveyed to meet in north Georgia | Creates the spot later called Terminus |
| Early 1840s | The settlement of Terminus develops around the rail junction | First community at what is now Downtown Atlanta |
| 1843 | Town is incorporated as Marthasville | First official town at the site |
| 1845 | Name changed to Atlanta | City begins to build its modern identity |
| Dec. 29, 1847 | Atlanta is incorporated as a city | Widely recognized “established” date |
If you’re answering the question on a form, trivia night, or classroom worksheet in Atlanta, 1847 is almost always the expected answer.
Where You Can See Atlanta’s Early History Today
Even though much of early Atlanta was rebuilt after the Civil War, you can still visit places that reflect its origins and early growth.
1. Downtown & Five Points
Area: Around Peachtree St SW, Marietta St NW, and Edgewood Ave SE
Why it matters:
- This is near the original Terminus area, where the rail lines converged.
- You’re walking close to where Atlanta started as a simple railroad endpoint.
When you’re at Five Points MARTA Station, you’re right on top of the historic core of early Atlanta.
2. Atlanta History Center
- Location: 130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
- Phone (general info): 404-814-4000
Why it matters:
- Offers exhibits on Atlanta’s founding, growth as a rail hub, and development through the 19th and 20th centuries.
- Helpful if you want a deeper, visual explanation of how Terminus became Atlanta.
3. Oakland Cemetery
- Location: 248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Why it matters:
- Established in 1850, it’s one of Atlanta’s oldest historic sites.
- Many of the people who shaped early Atlanta—business owners, civic leaders, and families from the city’s formative years—are buried here.
Walking through Oakland gives a sense of how quickly Atlanta grew after its 1847 incorporation.
How Atlanta’s Founding Shaped the City You See Today
Understanding that Atlanta was established as a railroad junction, not a port or colonial city, explains several things locals often notice:
A Transportation-First City
From the very beginning, Atlanta was about connections:
- Railroads in the 1840s
- Highways and interstates in the 20th century
- Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport today
This is why Atlanta became such a major logistics, business, and travel hub in the Southeast.
A “Newer” Major City
Compared with older East Coast cities:
- Atlanta’s official city status in 1847 makes it younger than places like Savannah, Charleston, Boston, or New York.
- This later founding helps explain Atlanta’s reputation as a place that often reinvents itself—especially after major events like the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement.
The Grid, Streets, and Rail Lines
If you’ve noticed how some streets in Downtown Atlanta seem to curve around oddly or cross in unusual ways, you’re seeing the influence of:
- Old railroad corridors and rights-of-way
- Early routes that followed tracks rather than strict grids
These patterns go back to the era when Atlanta was just a rail crossroad becoming a city.
Why the “Established” Date Matters for Locals and Visitors
Knowing when Atlanta was established isn’t just a trivia fact—it can be useful context for:
- School projects and tours – Students visiting Downtown, the Atlanta History Center, or Oakland Cemetery often need to know 1847 as the city’s incorporation date.
- Understanding neighborhoods – Historic areas like Downtown, Grant Park, Inman Park, and Old Fourth Ward grew out of Atlanta’s early expansion after 1847.
- Appreciating landmarks – When you see “Since 18xx” on plaques or buildings, you can place them relative to Atlanta’s founding as a city.
Quick Reference: What to Say When Someone Asks
If someone in Atlanta asks you, “So, when was Atlanta established?” here are clear ways to answer, depending on how detailed you want to be:
Simple answer:
- “Atlanta was officially incorporated as a city on December 29, 1847.”
Slightly more detailed answer:
- “The area started as a railroad stop called Terminus, then became Marthasville in 1843, and was renamed Atlanta and incorporated as a city in 1847.”
Both are accurate. For most everyday purposes in Atlanta—forms, tours, or local history discussions—1847 is the key year to remember.