Marietta

Marietta, Georgia, was established in 1837 as the county seat of the newly formed Cobb County. It was named after Mary Moore, the wife of U.S. Senator and U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Thomas Willis Cobb, for whom the county was named. The town served as an important location due to its proximity to the Georgia Military Institute and later as a railroad hub, playing a key role in the region's development. During the Civil War, Marietta was a significant strategic location and suffered occupation and destruction when Union troops captured the town in 1864.

The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain was a significant battle in the Atlanta Campaign during the American Civil War. Fought on June 27, 1864, it was an attempt by Union forces under General William Tecumseh Sherman to defeat the Confederate army led by General Joseph E. Johnston. Although the Union army suffered heavy casualties in their frontal assaults, they were successful in applying constant pressure that eventually forced Johnston to withdraw his forces from Kennesaw Mountain, opening the way to Atlanta.

The Marietta Daily Journal, a prominent newspaper in Cobb County, was founded on June 15, 1892. Serving as a key source of local news, the paper has provided residents with updates on community events, governmental affairs, and other important regional news for over a century. The Journal has played an integral role in chronicling the history and development of Marietta and the surrounding areas. Today, it continues its tradition of journalism with a significant presence both in print and online.

Leo Frank, a Jewish-American factory superintendent, was lynched on August 17, 1915, in Marietta. His lynching followed a highly publicized and controversial trial where Frank was convicted of murdering Mary Phagan, a 13-year-old employee, in 1913. The trial and subsequent lynching were marked by widespread anti-Semitism and national attention. In 1986, Frank was posthumously pardoned by the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles, acknowledging the state's failure to protect him and the lack of a fair trial.

Lockheed Martin, one of the largest defense contractors in the world, established a manufacturing plant in Marietta, Georgia, on April 15, 1963. The plant became a pivotal site for aircraft production, particularly noted for building the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. Over the decades, the Marietta facility has significantly contributed to the local economy and workforce, establishing itself as one of the major employers in the area and playing a vital role in U.S. military aviation development.

Dobbins Air Reserve Base was officially commissioned in October 1942, in Marietta, Georgia. Initially established as the Marietta Army Airfield, it served as a training facility during World War II. Over the decades, it evolved into a critical component of the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command, supporting military and other federal operations. The base plays an essential role in regional military readiness and has supported numerous missions, including those for humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

The Georgia Military Institute (GMI) was established in 1845 in Marietta by a group of prominent citizens. The school was created to provide a military education and training similar to that at West Point. GMI quickly gained a reputation for producing well-trained military leaders. During the Civil War, many of its cadets served for the Confederacy. Unfortunately, the institute was burned down by Union forces in 1864 during General Sherman's Atlanta Campaign, and it was never rebuilt.

Marietta National Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 18, 1980. Established in 1883, the cemetery serves as the final resting place for over 10,000 United States military personnel and their family members. It commemorates those who served and sacrificed from the Civil War to present day conflicts. Located on a hill in Marietta, the cemetery is a place of honor and reflection, reminding visitors of the nation's history and the price of freedom.

In 1996, as part of the build-up to the Atlanta Summer Olympics, the Olympic torch relay passed through Marietta on its way to the games. This event was part of a 15,000-mile journey across the United States involving thousands of torchbearers. Marietta celebrated the occasion with local festivities, marking its participation in the global event. The relay symbolized unity and international cooperation, drawing local and international attention to the city during this remarkable athletic and cultural event.

The Big Chicken, an iconic landmark in Marietta, underwent a major renovation completed on June 30, 2005. Originally built in 1963 as part of a KFC restaurant, the structure features a 56-foot tall steel chicken marking its place in local culture. The renovation brought the monument up to modern standards while preserving its unique design. The Big Chicken remains a popular navigational landmark and tourist attraction, symbolizing the quirky and endearing character of Marietta.