How Long Has Atlanta Been the Capital of Georgia? A Local’s Guide to the City’s Capital History

If you live in Atlanta, visit often, or are just curious about how Georgia’s government works, you’ve probably wondered: how long has Atlanta actually been the capital of Georgia?

The short answer:
Atlanta has been the capital of Georgia since 1868 — more than 150 years.

But that simple fact connects to a much bigger story about railroads, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the city you see around you today. Understanding it can change how you look at downtown, the Gold Dome, and even the names of streets and neighborhoods.

Quick Timeline: Georgia’s Capital Cities

Before Atlanta became the capital, Georgia had several other capital cities. Here’s a simple overview:

Key takeaway:
Atlanta is Georgia’s fifth capital, and it became the capital relatively late in state history — but has held that role longer than any other city.

When Did Atlanta Officially Become the Capital?

Atlanta became the official capital of Georgia in 1868, during the Reconstruction era after the Civil War.

For people in Atlanta today, that means:

• The Georgia State Capitol building you see downtown (with the gold dome) dates back to the 1880s, built after Atlanta was chosen as the capital.
• Many of the government functions you interact with — from the Governor’s Office to the Georgia General Assembly — have been based here for generations.

While some court and legislative sessions had briefly taken place in Atlanta earlier, 1868 is the year Atlanta was legally and permanently designated as the capital by the state’s constitution.

Why Did the Capital Move to Atlanta?

If you’ve ever stood in downtown traffic and wondered how this place ended up as the center of state government, the reason is straightforward: location and transportation.

1. Atlanta’s Railroad Roots

Atlanta began as a railroad hub, originally called Terminus, then Marthasville, before becoming Atlanta. By the mid‑1800s, it was a major rail junction for the Southeast, connecting different parts of Georgia and neighboring states.

For state leaders, this meant:

• Atlanta was more accessible from growing inland regions.
• It was already becoming a commercial and transportation center.
• It symbolized a new, forward‑looking Georgia after the Civil War.

2. The Decline of Milledgeville as Capital

Before Atlanta, Milledgeville served as the capital for about 60 years. After the Civil War:

• The legislature needed to meet in a place with better transportation and economic prospects.
• Atlanta, despite heavy war damage, was rebuilding quickly and attracting business.

Choosing Atlanta as the capital aligned with what many leaders wanted: a modern, connected city to represent the state’s future.

How Long Has Atlanta Been the Capital, Exactly?

If you want the number, not just the century:

• Year designated capital: 1868
• Status today: Still the capital

So Atlanta has served as Georgia’s capital for over 150 years and continues in that role with no other city competing for the title.

For a local or visitor, that longevity shows up in:

• The dense cluster of government buildings downtown
• The Capitol-area neighborhoods shaped by state offices and agencies
• The long tradition of political rallies, protests, and civic events around the Capitol

Where Is the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta?

If you want to see where Georgia’s capital actually operates, head downtown.

Georgia State Capitol

• Location: 206 Washington Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30334
• Area: Just south of downtown Atlanta, near Georgia State University
• Nearby landmarks: Five Points, Underground Atlanta, and major MARTA lines

The Capitol’s gold dome is one of Atlanta’s most recognizable sights. It’s visible from several highways, including:

• I‑75/I‑85 (Downtown Connector)
• I‑20, which passes just south of the building

For residents, this area is more than a postcard image — it’s where:

• The state budget is debated and passed
• New state laws are introduced and decided
• Statewide policies affecting schools, transportation, and business are shaped

What Being the Capital Means for Atlanta Today

Atlanta’s role as the capital has had a direct impact on how the city looks and works. If you live or work here, you feel it, even if you don’t think about it every day.

1. Government District Downtown

The capital status created a large government district in and around downtown, especially:

• Georgia State Capitol and Legislative Office Building
• Judicial buildings, including the Supreme Court of Georgia
• Various state agency offices concentrated nearby

This brings:

• Thousands of state employees into downtown daily
• Regular legislative sessions that affect traffic, transit, and security in the area
• A steady flow of advocates, lobbyists, and visitors

2. Political and Civic Activity

Because Atlanta is the capital, it serves as the gathering place for statewide political activity:

• Rallies and marches often begin or end near the Capitol or along nearby streets such as Mitchell Street or Capitol Avenue.
• Public hearings and legislative committee meetings take place in state buildings, many within walking distance of MARTA’s Georgia State or Five Points stations.

If you commute or live downtown, you likely see:

• Crowds on key voting or legislative days
• Increased security around Washington Street SW, Capitol Avenue SE, and the surrounding grid
• Occasional street closures for civic events

3. Economic and Job Impact

Capital status helps concentrate:

• Legal services, including law firms and policy organizations near the courts and Capitol
• Nonprofits and advocacy groups that work with state government
• Media outlets that cover state politics from Atlanta

For Atlantans, this means more:

• Government and public policy jobs within city limits
• Professional services that support state operations
• Opportunities to intern, work, or engage in state-level government without leaving the metro area

Visiting the Capitol as an Atlanta Resident or Tourist

If you’re trying to connect the history of Atlanta as the capital with what you can see today, a visit to the Capitol area is a practical starting point.

What You Can See

Common experiences for visitors include:

• The Capitol grounds, with monuments and markers recognizing key moments in Georgia’s history
• The building’s historic interiors, such as legislative chambers (when open to the public)
• Views of the surrounding downtown Atlanta skyline, highlighting how the city grew around government functions

Getting There

From within Atlanta, people typically reach the Capitol by:

• MARTA rail:
  • Exit at Georgia State Station (East-West line) and walk a few blocks
  • Or use Five Points Station and walk south
• Car:
  • Use the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85), exit near Capitol Avenue or Memorial Drive, and follow signs toward the Capitol and state buildings

Because this is a working government center, it’s wise to:

• Check operating hours before visiting
• Allow extra time on days when the General Assembly is in session

How Atlanta’s Capital Status Shaped the City’s Identity

Atlanta wasn’t Georgia’s capital during the colonial era or the early United States period. Instead, its identity as the capital is tied to modern Georgia and post–Civil War growth.

For Atlantans, that means:

• The city’s reputation as a “city too busy to hate” and a regional powerhouse came after it became the capital.
• Many of the historical markers, street names, and institutions you encounter trace back to decisions made in the Capitol building.
• Atlanta’s role in civil rights, transportation, and business is closely linked to being both a state capital and a major metro center.

When you look at the Gold Dome, you’re not just seeing a landmark. You’re looking at a symbol of the state’s shift from smaller inland towns to a large, connected urban center — and the more than 150 years that Atlanta has served as Georgia’s political heart.

Key Takeaways for Someone in Atlanta

To directly answer the question “How long was Atlanta the capital of Georgia?” in practical terms:

• Atlanta has been the capital of Georgia since 1868 and remains the capital today.
• It has held that status longer than any previous capital city in the state.
• The capital is centered at the Georgia State Capitol, 206 Washington Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30334, in downtown Atlanta.
• Atlanta’s role as capital influences:
  • Where state laws are made and debated
  • Where many state jobs and agencies are located
  • How downtown traffic, transit, and civic life function

Understanding this timeline helps you see Atlanta not just as a busy metro, but as the long-standing seat of Georgia’s government, shaping daily life for people across the state — starting right here in the city.