Stone Mountain, Georgia is considered the largest exposed granite dome in North America. Stone Mountain harbors plant and animal life found no other place in the world. It is also the site of a famous giant carving commemorating the military leaders of the Confederacy as well as a state park and museum, including a steam railroad. Those moving to Stone Mountain will surely discover a high quality of life.
History:
In 1822, the area that now makes up the City of Stone Mountain was made a part of the newly formed Dekalb County. A post office was created in 1834 on the old Augusta Road, and Andrew Johnson built a hotel along the road in 1836. At around the same time, Aaron Cloud built an observation tower at the summit of the mountain. Visitors to the mountain would travel to the area by rail and road, and then walk up the 1.1-mile mountaintop trail to the top, where Cloud also had a restaurant and club. By 1839, a general store was added and a village was established under the name New Gibraltar. The name was officially changed to Stone Mountain by the Georgia legislature in 1847. During the Civil War, men under the command of General John McPherson destroyed Stone Mountain village on July 19, 1864. The Ku Klux Klan was revived in Stone Mountain in 1915, and Martin Luther King, Jr.'s I Have a Dream speech consequently includes the line "let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia."
Economy:
Stone Mountain harbors plant and animal life found no other place in the world. The mountain has contributed to the city's economy both through its continuing status as a tourist attraction, and its former use as a granite quarry. Of the total employees, 10.8 percent were employed in the goods producing sector, followed by 73.5 percent in the service producing sector and 15.6 perecent employed in government. Statewide, the service producing industry is the largest employment sector, contributing 65.4 percent of the state's jobs. No single industry or firm truly dominates the local economy. Service industries employ the largest number of workers, but trade and manufacturing are also important elements. Having such diversity, the area has been slower to suffer a downturn and quicker to recover from any temporary setback than many other major American cities. Metropolitan Atlanta has consistently led the nation in new housing permits every year since 1991. Efforts by Georgia Tech and local industry to makes the area a high-tech center are paying off; even though much of the technology field suffered losses, Atlanta held steady and was ranked third in 2003 among the top ten metropolitan areas in this field by the Milken Institute. Atlanta is also becoming a leading world center of business and trade. More than 1,300 foreign-based businesses have operations in metropolitan Atlanta, and they employ more than 81,000 residents.
Tourism:
Begin your exploration of the city by heading to Stone Mountain Park. Georgia's most visited attraction, Stone Mountain Park drawing nearly four million guests each year. With over 3,200 acres of natural beauty, the Park is a unique and fun destination where you and your family can enjoy the outdoors together, while experiencing an exciting variety of attractions, entertainment and recreation. It's also home to the worlds largest Laser Show Spectacular. Next, Stone Mountain Carving is the area's version of Mt. Rushmore. This popular local attraction exhibits a huge carving on the face of the mountain of three Confederate heroes: Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis. Then, head over to Stone Mountain Antique Car and Treasure Museum. There you can take a step back in time through hands-on exhibits and displays of some of the country's first automobiles. For the golfer in the group, head over to Stone Mountain Golf Course. A 18-hole golf course, Stone Mountain Golf Course is the perfect place to work on you swing or get a round in with a friendly foursome. Finally, for family fun, the Old South offers an outdoor experience like no other. Spend the afternoon outside petting farm animals and taking in the beautiful wildlife preserve.