What Was Atlanta Called Before? A Local’s Guide to the City’s Earlier Names

If you live in Atlanta, visit often, or are just starting to learn about the city, you may have heard people mention that Atlanta used to go by other names. That’s true—long before you saw “ATL” on the airport code or a Falcons jersey, this area had several different names and identities.

Here’s a clear breakdown of what Atlanta was called before, why the names changed, and how you can still see traces of that history in today’s neighborhoods and landmarks.

The Short Answer: Atlanta Had Several Earlier Names

Before it was officially called Atlanta, the area went by a few different names:

• Terminus
• Marthasville
• The broader region was also part of Native American (Muscogee/Creek and Cherokee) homelands before it was a railroad town.

Each name reflects a different stage in the city’s development—from a railroad stop to a growing town to the urban center you recognize today.

Before “Atlanta”: The Name Terminus

Why “Terminus”?

In the late 1830s and early 1840s, this area was nothing like the busy city you see now. It was mainly forest and rural land used and traversed by Native Americans and early settlers. When the State of Georgia decided to build a major railroad line, it picked a spot in north Georgia as the end of the line—the “terminus” of the Western and Atlantic Railroad.

Because of that:

• The site became informally known as “Terminus”, meaning “end of the line.”
• It wasn’t yet a full town, more a work site and rail hub.
• Workers, merchants, and a few families started gathering around the rail junction.

If you walk around Downtown Atlanta today, you’re near the general area that was once called Terminus. There’s no longer a town called Terminus, but the name sometimes shows up on local businesses, artwork, and themed attractions as a nod to this early period.

From Terminus to Marthasville

Why Did the Name Change?

As the settlement around the railroad expanded, it was ready to become more than just a rail stop. In the early 1840s:

• Residents wanted an official town name.
• The location was renamed Marthasville, reportedly in honor of Martha Lumpkin, daughter of former Georgia Governor Wilson Lumpkin, who was heavily involved in the railroad project.

Marthasville reflected a small but growing community:

• A cluster of homes and businesses.
• Increasing connections through rail lines.
• Early signs of the city that would soon become Atlanta.

You won’t see the name “Marthasville” on modern maps, but the story often comes up in local tours and history exhibits around the city, especially in Downtown and the Fairlie-Poplar historic district.

How “Marthasville” Became Atlanta

The Birth of the Name “Atlanta”

In 1845, the town’s name changed again, this time to Atlanta. The most widely accepted explanation is:

• The name “Atlanta” is closely tied to the Western and Atlantic Railroad.
• It’s often described as a feminine form related to “Atlantic,” referencing the railroad’s connection to the Atlantic coast.

Renaming Marthasville to Atlanta helped present the town as:

• A modern rail hub rather than a small rural stop.
• A place expected to grow and attract more commerce and residents.

By 1847, Atlanta was incorporated as a city under its new name. From that point forward, Atlanta became the official and enduring identity that continued through the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Movement, and the city’s growth into today’s major metropolitan area.

Quick Timeline: What Atlanta Was Called Before

Here’s a simple reference for how the names evolved:

Before Terminus: Native American Homelands

Long before any railroad, this region was part of the Muscogee (Creek) and later Cherokee homelands. While there was no single “city name” like Atlanta, the area included:

• Villages, trails, and river routes used for travel and trade.
• The Chattahoochee River and surrounding land, which were central to daily life.

You can still see reflections of this deeper history in:

• Local place names like the Chattahoochee, Tallulah, or Etowah.
• Museum exhibits and historical markers around metro Atlanta.

If you’re curious about this era, places like the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead and educational displays at parks along the Chattahoochee can help you understand what the region was like before any name like Terminus or Atlanta existed.

Where You Can See Traces of Atlanta’s Earlier Names Today

Even though “Terminus” and “Marthasville” aren’t official city names anymore, you can still spot references to them around Atlanta. This can be especially fun if you’re exploring the city or explaining its history to visitors.

1. Downtown and Old Railroad Areas

If you’re near:

• Five Points
• The Gulch area (near Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena)
• The Georgia State Capitol vicinity

you are walking through or near the general location of the original railroad junction that made Terminus important. Some walking tours and local guides point out where early tracks and depots once stood.

2. Museums and Historic Sites

Several Atlanta institutions highlight the city’s earlier names:

• Atlanta History Center (130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305)
  • Often includes exhibits and materials covering Terminus and Marthasville.
• Atlanta City Hall and the Georgia State Capitol area
  • Historical markers and public plaques sometimes reference early names and founding dates.

These are practical stops if you want to see documents, maps, or artifacts related to Atlanta’s name changes.

3. Neighborhood Names and Local Businesses

You might notice:

• Restaurants, apartments, or office buildings with names like “Terminus” or “Old Atlanta”.
• Artistic murals or historical displays that mention Marthasville.

These don’t mark the exact old town borders, but they show how Atlanta businesses and communities use that history as part of their identity.

Why the Name Changes Matter for Atlantans Today

Knowing what Atlanta was called before isn’t just trivia—it can help you:

• Understand the layout of the city.
  Recognizing that Atlanta started as a rail terminus explains why major rail corridors, interstates, and older streets often converge downtown.

• Appreciate neighborhood character.
  When you visit historic areas like Downtown, Grant Park, or Inman Park, you’re seeing neighborhoods shaped by growth that began back in the Terminus and Marthasville days.

• Connect with local culture.
  Many tours, festivals, and school programs in Atlanta reference the city’s name changes as a way of telling the story of how a railroad stop became a major Southern city.

FAQ: Common Questions About Atlanta’s Earlier Names

Was Atlanta really called Terminus?

Yes. Terminus was an early, practical name used because it was the end point of a major railroad line. It wasn’t a big city—more a growing rail settlement that became the foundation for Atlanta.

Did people actually live in Marthasville?

Yes. By the time the name Marthasville was used, the area had developed beyond a rail camp. There were residents, shops, and the beginnings of what would become an incorporated city.

When did the name officially become Atlanta?

The town adopted the name Atlanta in 1845, and it was incorporated as the City of Atlanta in 1847. From then on, the name stuck, even after the city was heavily damaged during the Civil War and later rebuilt.

Understanding what Atlanta was called before—from Native homelands to Terminus, Marthasville, and finally Atlanta—gives you a clearer picture of how the city evolved. Whether you’re walking through Downtown, visiting a museum, or explaining local history to friends, this background helps make sense of how today’s Atlanta came to be.