Historical Timeline of Atlanta

Key dates and events about Atlanta...

• 1733, James Oglethorpe lands in Savannah establishing Georgia, the 13th British Colony
• 1830s, Railroads begin to appear in Georgia
• 1836, Georgia legislature approves construction of state-owned "Western & Atlantic Railroad" to give the Port of Savannah "inland reach" to the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys
• 1837, Stephen Harriman Long defines the 138-mile route and starting point (terminus)
• 1839, "Cousin John Thrasher" builds general store where State Bar of Georgia building is today
• 1842, Location of terminus moved about 1,200 feet to this location
• 1843, Marthasville incorporated
• 1847, City of Atlanta incorporated
• 1850, Zero Mile Post (granite marker) placed at this location
• 2018, ZMP relocated to Atlanta History Center (see photo below)

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James Oglethorpe (1696–1785)

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