Located just north of Atlanta and just south of the North Georgia Mountains, the city of Marietta offers residence an attractive and vibrant downtown square filled with restaurants and antique shops. As the county seat of Cobb County, Marietta offers residents and visitors beautiful parks, quaint streets and historic sites. An area of commerce and progressive business, the city also boast multiple local attractions, sporting events and festivals. In addition, a new lifestyle is emerging throughout the city of Marietta as new local projects and developments continue to boom, providing residents a wide array of new town homes, flats and condominiums.
History:
The Georgia legislature legally recognized Marietta on December 19,1834, but by that time a considerable community already existed. By the time the Civil War began in 1861, Marietta had recovered from fires and was booming. After the Civil War, recovery was slow for the city as for the rest of the South. Over time, however, the city began to flourish as new businesses moved in, and in 1860s the city once again was beginning to attract visitors. By 1905, an electric railway operated between Marietta and Atlanta, spawning residential development as Cobb County residents commuted to jobs in Atlanta. In the 1930s as Marietta residents celebrated their centennial, the area was in the midst of the Great Depression that enveloped the entire nation. Moderate growth came after the Depression years, but when the U.S. entered World War II, it set the stage for unprecedented change. Marietta was selected as the site for an enormous B-29 airplane manufacturing plant. Newcomers poured in to work in the factory, creating large demand for new housing. The once quaint town experienced a extraordinary boom in housing, industry and business during the 1980s and 1990s. Today Marietta has a population of over 60,000.
Economy:
Cobb County has a diverse economic base that encompasses manufacturing and distribution, administrative headquarters operations, service industries and retailers. Marietta offers strong advantages in terms of low costs for building and leasing, as well as a moderate cost of living. In the early 1990s when Lockheed, the area's largest employer, cut its work force, it didn't seem to faze the community. The mix of new and diverse industries has made the area virtually recession-proof. Besides Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems, other large-scale employers in Marietta include the Cobb County Public Schools, WellStar Health System, The Home Depot and Publix. Cobb County is the second most popular visitor destination in Georgia. More than four million visitors a year experience the area's attractions and stay in its hotels. Tourism in the area is still experiencing major growth, and is responsible for nearly 40,000 direct and indirect jobs in the county.
Tourism:
Marietta boasts 18 parks with a variety of amenities, from 25 acre Laurel Park to tiny Monarch Park's butterfly garden. Whether you are looking for a place to play or a place to just relax and enjoy nature, Marietta has something for you. Head over to the Marietta Fire Museum provides a unique look at firefighting techniques and equipment from as far back as the late 1800s. The highlight of the museum is the "Aurora," a steam powered fire engine purchased by the City of Marietta in 1879. Also on view are fire trucks from the 1920s, a 1949 ladder truck and an extensive variety of firefighting paraphernalia. Check out Marietta Museum of History Located on the second floor of the historic Kennesaw House. The Marietta Museum of History tells a rich account of the area; it houses the city's extensive historical collections of photographs, artifacts and documentary information. Next, head over to the Marietta Square. A shopper's delight, this area features cozy antique shops, stylish boutiques and upscale shopping, all situated around Marietta's charming Glover Park. Whether it's the nation's biggest chains or unique small shops, you will find stores and shops abound for every age and price-range. The Square also offers quite a few delicious dining options, art galleries and museums.