The Railroad That Created Atlanta: A Local Guide to Our Rail Roots
If you’ve ever wondered “What railroad was created in Atlanta?”, the answer is closely tied to why Atlanta exists in the first place. The city was literally born as a railroad town.
The key railroad created here was the Western & Atlantic Railroad. Atlanta began as the planned terminus (end point) of this line in the 1830s–1840s, and the city’s early name was even “Terminus” before becoming “Atlanta.”
Understanding this railroad gives helpful context for how people got here in the past—and how rail and transit still shape getting around Atlanta today.
The Western & Atlantic Railroad: The Line That Started Atlanta
Why the Western & Atlantic Railroad Mattered
The Western & Atlantic Railroad (W&A) was a state-owned railroad chartered by Georgia to connect:
- The Chattahoochee River area in North Georgia
- To the Tennessee River at Chattanooga
To make this possible, surveyors picked a spot in what was then frontier land as the southern end of the line. That end point became the “terminus” of the railroad—and that terminus grew into modern Atlanta.
Key points about the Western & Atlantic Railroad:
- It was created by the State of Georgia in the 1830s.
- The southern end of the line is where Atlanta was founded.
- The city’s famous Zero Milepost marked that exact terminus point.
- The line helped turn Atlanta into a major transportation hub for the Southeast.
You’ll still hear references to the Western & Atlantic in Atlanta today, especially in historic markers and rail history talks.
How the Western & Atlantic Led to “Atlanta”
From Terminus to Atlanta
When the railroad project started, there was no Atlanta—only a surveyed spot in the woods. The area was first called:
- Terminus – because it was the railroad’s endpoint
- Marthasville – briefly, in honor of the governor’s daughter
- Atlanta – likely inspired by the word “Atlantic” and its connection to railroads and commerce
As rail connections grew, the settlement around the terminus exploded in importance. Railroads made Atlanta, not the other way around.
The Zero Milepost
The Zero Milepost marked the precise point where the Western & Atlantic ended. It was originally located near what is now downtown Atlanta, close to the Gulch area and the Five Points vicinity.
Locals interested in railroad history often seek out:
- Historical markers explaining the Western & Atlantic terminus
- Exhibits and maps showing Atlanta’s growth around this spot
Other Important Railroads Connected to Atlanta
The Western & Atlantic was the original core line, but Atlanta’s growth came from being a railroad crossroads. Several other railroads soon connected here, turning the city into a regional gateway.
Here’s a simple overview:
| Railroad / Line | Connection to Atlanta | Why It Matters Locally |
|---|---|---|
| Western & Atlantic Railroad | Created the terminus that became Atlanta | Atlanta’s founding line; state-owned |
| Georgia Railroad | Connected Atlanta to Augusta and beyond | Linked Atlanta eastward toward the coast |
| Macon & Western Railroad | Linked Atlanta southward toward Macon | Helped make Atlanta a key north–south connector |
| Later Freight Rail Lines | Modern freight lines run through/around Atlanta | Keep Atlanta a major logistics and shipping hub |
For someone in Atlanta today, you’ll still see freight trains and active rail yards that trace their roots back to these early connections.
Where You Can See Rail History in Atlanta Today
If you live in or are visiting Atlanta and want to understand the railroad that created the city, a few local spots can help bring it to life.
Downtown & “The Gulch”
The Gulch area downtown, near Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena, sits over active rail lines and historic railroad ground. While it’s now heavily redeveloped, this area:
- Was part of the original rail yard area
- Represents the heart of old rail activity in Atlanta
Nearby, you’re close to where the Western & Atlantic’s terminus once anchored the town.
Atlanta History Center
The Atlanta History Center (130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305) offers:
- Exhibits about Atlanta’s early growth as a rail city
- Context on how the Western & Atlantic and other lines changed the region
It’s one of the easiest places for a resident or visitor to get a clear story of how rail built Atlanta.
Southeastern Railway Museum (Duluth, GA)
While not in the city proper, the Southeastern Railway Museum (3595 Buford Hwy, Duluth, GA 30096) is the official transportation history museum of Georgia. It often includes:
- Historic train cars and locomotives
- Interpretive materials about Georgia railroads, including Atlanta’s role
If you’re an Atlanta rail fan or you’re trying to teach local history to kids, this is a practical day trip.
Rail in Atlanta Today: From Freight Lines to MARTA
The Western & Atlantic was created for 19th‑century transportation needs, but its legacy still shows up in how people and goods move through Atlanta now.
Freight Rail
Modern freight rail operators use lines that grew from or connect to the original Western & Atlantic and other historic railroads. For Atlantans, this means:
- You’ll see freight trains regularly, especially near downtown and industrial corridors.
- Rail freight remains a big part of why Atlanta is a logistics and distribution center.
Passenger Travel and Getting Around
Most travelers today won’t ride the Western & Atlantic itself, but they’ll still benefit from Atlanta’s role as a historic rail hub:
Amtrak’s Peachtree Station (1688 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309)
- Serves the Crescent route between New York and New Orleans
- Uses rail corridors that intersect the historic rail network that built Atlanta
MARTA Rail
- Not historically tied to the Western & Atlantic, but it follows the same transportation logic: connecting key corridors through Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and surrounding areas.
- For day-to-day getting around, Atlanta residents rely far more on MARTA rail and buses than on any historic rail line.
If you’re just trying to get here and around today, you’ll mostly interact with MARTA and local roads—but you’re traveling in a city whose layout and importance were shaped by that original Western & Atlantic railroad.
Quick FAQ: The Railroad That Created Atlanta
What railroad was created in Atlanta?
The Western & Atlantic Railroad is the line most directly tied to Atlanta’s creation. It was a state-built line, and its southern terminus became the city that is now Atlanta.
Was Atlanta founded before or after the railroad?
Atlanta was founded because of the Western & Atlantic’s terminus, not the other way around. The railroad came first; the city grew around it.
Does the Western & Atlantic Railroad still exist?
The original route still exists as a freight corridor, though ownership and operations have changed over time. You generally won’t ride it as a passenger, but it remains an important part of the regional rail network.
If I want to experience Atlanta’s rail history, where should I go?
Focus on:
- Downtown Atlanta near the Gulch area (historic rail center)
- Atlanta History Center for curated history
- Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth for trains and equipment
For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, knowing that the Western & Atlantic Railroad created the city adds a layer of understanding to everything from our downtown layout to why Atlanta became such a major transportation hub in the Southeast.