Explore Atlanta’s History, CSOA’s Summer Bucket List

The city of Atlanta is rich with history dating before the early 1800’s.  Majority of people living in the city were not born or raised here and know little about Atlanta’s history.  Founded as a transportation hub for the railroad, Atlanta continues to play this role today with Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the world’s largest airport.  Atlanta is also headquarters to many national and international businesses and has the third largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the country.

Atlanta was founded in 1837 as the end of the Western & Atlantic railroad line (it was first named Marthasville in honor of the then-governor’s daughter, nicknamed Terminus for its rail location, and then changed soon after to Atlanta, the feminine of Atlantic — as in the railroad). (source: www.atlantaga.gov)

From the railroad to civil rights to the Olympics, Atlanta has history that is worth exploring!  CSOA has put together the best places to get started learning about this great city under the gold dome.

Atlanta History Center
The Atlanta History Center is located in one of Atlanta’s most vibrant communities where the stories and mysteries of our region thrive. Our 33-acre experience features award-winning exhibitions, historic houses, enchanting gardens, interactive activities and a variety of year-round adult and family programs. With ticket admission, our guests enjoy complimentary parking and all-inclusive access to Atlanta History Center destinations.

The Center for Civil and Human Rights 
The Center was first imagined by civil rights legends Evelyn Lowery and former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young and was launched by former Mayor Shirley Franklin. The effort gained broad-based corporate and community support to become one of the few places in the world educating visitors on the bridge between the American Civil Rights Movement and the contemporary struggle for Human Rights around the world.