Names and name changes

Atlanta is the beginning point for the last segment of my I-75 march from the southern border to the northern border of our state.

Where now sits Atlanta, has had a bunch of names, but I’ll cover just the notable names. First, the area was called White Hall, the name of the first office. Then came Terminus since the railroad terminated there. The first incorporated name was Marthasville, after Governor Lumpkin’s youngest daughter. How sweet is that? But the name changed again, in 1845, at the railroad’s beckoning, to Atlanta. The railroad’s chief engineer, J. Edgar Thomson, had the name decision thrust into his lap, He suggested that Marthasville be renamed “Atlantica-Pacifica,” which was then shortened to “Atlanta.” Lumpkin seems to have supported the change, reporting that Martha’s middle name was Atalanta.

Marietta, home of the “Big Chicken,” is generally believed to be named after the wife of Judge Thomas W. Cobb, for whom the county was named. Another theory bases the name on two charming young ladies, whose Christian names were Mary and Etta. Regardless, it is the site of Lockheed Aircraft, the world’s largest aircraft factory under one roof, and is the largest privately-owned industrial plant in Georgia. The biggest, you ask? That would be Robins Air Force/ALC. 

Kennesaw was, for many years, known as BIG SHANTY. Incorporated in 1887, it is named after the Civil War battle fought at nearby Kennesaw Mountain. The mountain’s Cherokee name was Conasauga, which, if you say it out loud 10 times, you get Kennesaw. 

Acworth. First called Northcutt Station, it was renamed for the English nobleman, Lord Acworth. 

Cartersville was originally called Birmingham by some Englishmen who settled there in 1832. It was later changed to Cartersville in honor of Colonel Farish Carter of Milledgeville, who was one of the wealthiest of Georgia’s antebellum landowners and one of the largest slave-owners in the state. 

Calhoun is the “Cherokee Indian Capital.” It was named for Senator John Calhoun in 1850 and incorporated as a town on January 12, 1852. It was previously named Dawsonville in honor of a Mr. Dawson who owned a general store in early times. Before this, the Native Americans called their town Oothcalooga. That name translates to “offshoot place” or “sprout place,” probably in reference to it being a colony from a larger town.

Chatsworth was incorporated as a town on August 18, 1906. Legend has it that the name came about after the railroad came through, and a board or sign fell from a freight car on which was printed the name “Chatsworth.” It was hung on a pole by the tracks, and the place was thereafter known by this name. Chatsworth in England was the seat of the Duke of Devonshire in the county of Derby. 

Resaca was incorporated in 1871, although originally called Dublin when first established in the 1840s. The soldiers returning from the Mexican War renamed it in honor of their great victory at Resaca de la Palma, which in Spanish meant, “Dry River Bed of the Palm.” A cool, though unusual, legend has related how a young brave was to select an Indian maiden for his bride from several who were brought before him with sacks over their heads. After making a choice, her face was revealed to him, whereupon he commanded, “Resaca!”

Dalton is the “Carpet Center of the World.” The original name of this place was Cross Plains. It was named in honor of Captain Edward White’s mother, whose maiden name was Mary Dalton. The English translation of Dalton means “village in a valley.”

Tunnel Hill is named after the Western and Atlantic Railroad tunnel, which penetrated Chetoogeta Mountain on the southeast edge of the town. 

Rocky Face is just five miles northwest of Dalton. Named for a nearby mountain on which a face-like rock formation can be seen on the brow. An earlier name for the community was Axoka, which was a Cherokee settlement. 

Last small community before entering Tennessee is Burning Bush, named after a local church, the name of which presumably is derived from Moses and God having a conversation.

Kelly Burke, retired attorney, former district attorney and magistrate judge, writes about the law, rock’ n’ roll, and politics or anything that strikes him. These articles are not designed to give legal advice, but are designed to inform the public about how the law affects their daily lives. Contact Kelly at dakellyburke@gmail.com to comment on this article or suggest articles that you’d like to see, and visit his website atwww.kellyrburke.com to view prior columns.

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