Asphalt Paving Company in Atlanta, Georgia

Although European settlers began arriving in the area as early as 1822, Atlanta did not see much growth until the decision was made in 1836 to build a railroad linking Savannah and the Midwestern states. After surveying several possible sites for the terminus, the location that is now known as Five Points was selected. Within a year, the surrounding area attracted settlers and merchants, achieving a population of 30 residents by 1842. Over the next five years, the settlement underwent a series of name changes and was known at various times as Terminus, Thrasherville and Marthasville. An official with the railroad suggested that the name be changed to Atlantica-Pacifica; the citizens approved a shortened version and Atlanta was officially incorporated in 1847.

In the years between its incorporation and the Civil War, Atlanta grew rapidly, reaching a population of more than 9,500 people by 1860. The city became a hub for receiving and shipping military supplies to the Confederate Army, making it a target of interest for the Union. The city fell in 1864 following a four-month siege, and General William T. Sherman ordered the evacuation of civilians and the burning of all buildings in the city except hospitals and churches.

Following the Civil War, the city was rebuilt, becoming the state capital in 1868 due in large part to Atlanta’s network of railroads. By the 1880s, Atlanta had begun to shift its economy from agriculture to manufacturing, resulting in explosive growth. The 1890 census recorded a population of slightly more than 65,500, but by 1910, the population had exceeded 154,800 people. The census estimates for 2015 placed the population at almost 464,000.