- Collection:
- Atlanta History Photograph Collection
- Title:
- Zero Mile Post
- Creator:
- Unknown
- Publisher:
- Atlanta, Ga. : Kenan Research Center
- Date of Original:
- 1958
- Subject:
- Historic sites--Georgia--Atlanta
Historical markers--Georgia--Atlanta
Railroads--Georgia--Atlanta
Monuments and memorials--Georgia--Atlanta
Monuments & memorials--Georgia
Western and Atlantic Railroad Company - Location:
- United States, Georgia, Fulton County, Atlanta, 33.749, -84.38798
- Medium:
- photographs
- Type:
- Still Image
- Format:
- image/jpeg
- Description:
- This Zero Mile Post marks the Southeastern Terminus of the Western and Atlantic Railroad, about which a settlement grew and eventually became Atlanta. This railroad, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, was built, and still is owned by the State of Georgia. It was authorized by the State Legislature December 21, 1836. The route was surveyed by Colonel Stephen Harriman Long, Chief Engineer, May 12, 1837 to November 3, 1840. Construction began March, 1838. The original terminus was between the present Forsyth and Magnolia Streets. It was moved here in 1842. The settlement which sprang up was called Terminus. It was incorporated as the town of Marthasville, December 23, 1843. The name was changed to Atlanta, December 29, 1847. It was incorporated as the City of Atlanta, December 29, 1847, with corporate limits extending one mile in every direction from the State Depot which was between here and what is now Pryor Street. The railroad placed mile posts beginning here in 1850. A new City Charter approved February 28, 1874 redefined the corporate limits as a circle one mile and a half in every direction from this mile post. GHM 060-124 GEORGIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 1958
View of the Zero Mile Post, and its corresponding historic marker located on the first floor of the parking garage of the Georgia Building Authorities Police headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Zero Mile Post is a stone marker that marks the southeastern terminus of the Western and Atlantic Railroad as it stood in 1842. A settlement began around the 1842 location, known as Terminus, and later incorporated as Marthasville in 1843. In 1847 the name was changed to Atlanta, and the city limits were defined on a radius from the post marker. As of 2012, the stone marker is located underneath 90 Central Street, a parking deck owned by the Georgia Building Authority. - Local Identifier:
- VIS 170.2766.001
ahc1702766001 - Metadata URL:
- http://album.atlantahistorycenter.com/cdm/ref/collection/athpc/id/2408
- Additional Rights Information:
- This material is protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S Code) Permission for use must be cleared through The Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center. Licensing agreement may be required.
- Extent:
- 4 x 5 in.
- Original Collection:
- Atlanta History Photograph Collection
- Holding Institution:
- Atlanta History Center
- Rights:
-