Early Atlanta
Atlanta started out as a railroad junction. There were rail lines converging in the city center from every direction. It was basically a giant train yard.
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This photo shows an early railroad depot and "round house" in background. Likely the site of today's "Gulch" (soon to be Centennial Yards).
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Viaducts (iron bridges) were constructed over the rail lines so people could get across easier. This gave rise to the a 'second level' which is where the city exists today. The original level (shown in this photo) would later become known as "Underground Atlanta." This photo was taken on Wall Street looking south down Central Ave. The Zero Mile Post can be seen just left of the wall in the right side of the photo, just left of what looks like a barrel.
Did you know that the final location for "Terminus" was selected because of a ridge that runs through Downtown ATL? Turns out, that ridge is the subcontinental divide, meaning that rain that falls on one side eventually flows into the Atlantic while rain that falls on the other side eventually flows into the Gulf of Mexico.
Q: What modern-day street runs along the top of that ridge?
Hint: There's a mural for that.
Extra credit: What major rivers come into play on the two sides of the divide?
The Eastern Continental Divide runs east and west directly under this area. This may explain why this location was chosen to build the rail lines. This plaque is located in Underground Atlanta.
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Atlania in 1854.
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Early Atlanta was a 'rough and tumble' railroad town. The city started out as a railroad junction, where three main rail lines converged (Terminus). What were the names of those three original rail lines? (see map above)