Why Atlanta Was First Called “Terminus” – And Where You Can Still See That History Today

If you live in Atlanta, you’ve probably heard the nickname “Terminus” tossed around—maybe in history exhibits, on bar menus, or even as the name of a local business. But why was Atlanta originally called Terminus, and what does that name actually mean for the city you know today?

Here’s a clear look at how a railroad endpoint in the woods became modern Atlanta—and where that early name still shows up around the city.

The Short Answer: “Terminus” Means the End of the Line

Atlanta was originally called Terminus because it was planned as the end point (or “terminus”) of a major railroad line in the 1830s.

• The state of Georgia decided to build a railroad from the Chattahoochee River to the Midwest.
• Surveyors marked the spot where the railroad would end with a “zero milepost”.
• That remote, wooded location became known informally as Terminus, simply meaning “end of the railroad line.”

So the name wasn’t poetic or symbolic at first—it was straight-up functional transportation jargon that stuck long enough to become the town’s first widely used name.

How the Railroad Created “Terminus”

Georgia’s Big Transportation Plan

In the early 1830s, Georgia leaders wanted a way to:

• Move cotton and other goods more efficiently
• Connect the state to the Tennessee River and Midwest markets
• Compete with ports in neighboring states

The answer was a state-backed railroad, known as the Western & Atlantic Railroad.

Engineers had to pick a central endpoint for that line, where it would connect with other rail routes and river transportation.

The “Zero Milepost” and the Birth of a Town

A chief engineer selected a hilltop spot near the Chattahoochee River as the railroad’s end point. That point was marked by a “zero milepost”—literally a marker indicating mile 0 on the Western & Atlantic line.

Around this marker:

• Construction crews, merchants, and workers moved in.
• Boarding houses, supply shops, and workshops popped up.
• A rough settlement formed, geared around rail work and trade.

Because its main identity was as the rail ending point, people casually called the area Terminus. It was practical shorthand for “the end of the Western & Atlantic line.”

From Terminus to a Real Community

A Rough Railroad Settlement

If you imagine modern Midtown or Buckhead, forget it—Terminus was initially closer to a construction camp than a polished town:

• Mostly workers, traders, and laborers
• Simple wooden buildings
• Very little in the way of formal government or infrastructure

But the location was smart: several railroad lines could converge there, and the topography suited tracks and development. As more routes were planned, the settlement grew quickly.

Why the Name “Terminus” Didn’t Last

As the community evolved from a makeshift camp into a more organized town, Terminus started to feel too temporary and industrial as a name.

Residents and state officials wanted a more civic-sounding identity, something that could represent:

• A permanent town
• A regional commercial hub
• A place where families, not just laborers, would live

Over time, the name Terminus faded—first informally, and then in official use.

What Came Next: Marthasville and Then Atlanta

Step 1: Marthasville

Before Atlanta got its final name, the area officially shifted from Terminus to Marthasville in the late 1830s.

The name “Marthasville” is widely associated with:

• Honoring Martha, thought to be linked to a state official’s daughter or a prominent figure close to Georgia’s leadership.

Marthasville sounded more like a traditional small town and less like a railroad project, which helped rebrand the settlement as a real community rather than just a worksite.

Step 2: Why “Atlanta”?

Not long after, another change came: Marthasville became Atlanta in the early 1840s.

The name Atlanta is generally understood as:

• Related to the Western & Atlantic Railroad (the “Atlantic” part)
• A shortened or feminized form tied to the word “Atlantic”

In other words, Atlanta kept the railroad connection in its DNA, but with a smoother, more city-appropriate name. By this time, the area was on its way to becoming a major rail crossroads, not just a single terminus.

Where Terminus Still Lives in Today’s Atlanta

Even though the name Terminus disappeared from official maps long ago, you can still see direct traces of that early identity when you move around the city.

1. Downtown: The Heart of Railroad-Era Atlanta

If you walk through downtown Atlanta, you’re literally walking over and around the core that grew from Terminus:

• Five Points area – This major MARTA hub and intersection reflects the idea of multiple lines and routes meeting in one place, much like the old rail crossings.
• Streets like Peachtree Street, Marietta Street, and Decatur Street sit in an area that grew up around the old rail yards and early commercial district.

Even though Terminus isn’t on the street signs, the layout of central Atlanta is built on its railroad origins.

2. The “Zero Milepost” and Railroad Landmarks

Historically, Atlanta’s zero milepost stood near what became the downtown rail lines and terminals. Over time, changes in infrastructure moved or obscured some of these early markers, but the idea still matters:

• You’ll find railroad-focused exhibits at places like the Atlanta History Center (130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW) that explain the city’s Terminus era.
• Nearby communities and museums in the metro area often highlight how railroads shaped development, tying back to that original terminus point.

If you’re curious about where the city literally began, visiting local history exhibits is one of the most practical ways to see how a single rail endpoint became a booming hub.

3. Businesses and Neighborhood References

Around Atlanta, you may notice:

• “Terminus” in business names, from restaurants to entertainment spots
• Artwork, murals, and branding that play off the Terminus identity to connect to the city’s gritty, rail-based roots

These modern uses are intentional nods to that early name and to Atlanta’s identity as a transportation and logistics center.

Why the Name “Terminus” Still Matters for Understanding Atlanta

The fact that Atlanta was originally called Terminus isn’t just a trivia bit—it explains how and why the city developed the way it did.

1. A City Built on Connection

From the very beginning, Atlanta existed to connect places:

• Railroads connecting Georgia to the Midwest and the Atlantic
• Later, highways and then Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, now one of the world’s busiest

That original “end of the line” quickly became a junction of many lines, setting the pattern for Atlanta’s long-term role as a transportation and logistics hub.

2. Why Downtown Looks and Feels the Way It Does

If you’ve ever wondered:

• Why downtown streets meet at odd angles
• Why certain corridors are so tightly packed
• Why rail lines slice through central industrial areas

The answer often traces back to railroad-era decisions anchored in the Terminus period. Knowing that history can make sense of modern traffic patterns, redevelopment, and transit planning.

3. A Core Part of Local Identity

For people who live in or visit Atlanta:

• “Terminus” highlights the city’s working, industrial roots—far from a planned, polished capital from day one.
• It helps explain why Atlanta often sees itself as a place of movement, change, and reinvention, built around the idea of going somewhere, not just staying put.

You’ll see this echoed in everything from public art to how neighborhoods talk about growth and redevelopment.

Quick Reference: Atlanta’s Early Names at a Glance

How to Explore Atlanta’s “Terminus” History Today

If you’re interested in seeing how this early name lives on around Atlanta, a few practical ideas:

• Visit the Atlanta History Center (Buckhead)
  • Exhibits on railroads, the Civil War, and city growth give context to the Terminus era.
• Walk or bike downtown near Five Points and the old rail corridors
  • Notice how MARTA stations, old warehouses, and rail-adjacent buildings trace back to the city’s rail-centric birth.
• Look for “Terminus”-themed businesses or artwork
  • Many use the name to signal a connection to local history, which can be a good starting point for conversations with longtime residents and local guides.

In everyday terms, Atlanta was originally called Terminus because it was created to be the end of a critical railroad line. That practical, transportation-focused purpose shaped everything that followed—from the streets you drive on to the airport you fly through—and still quietly defines how the city grows, moves, and sees itself today.