With the Zero Mile Post fixed in its final location, the foundation for the growth of Atlanta was in place. The city would grow up around the junction point of 3-railroad-lines. Those rail lines would influence the location and the orientation of many of the young community’s new buildings. Well-traveled trails would be expanded and become some of the earliest roads in the region, and, at the terminus point where the 3-rail lines connected, a train depot would be constructed.
In hindsight, of course, we know that the small community around the terminus marker would grow to become Atlanta, but it should be remembered that in the mid 1800s there was no plan to build a city at the terminus point. In fact, rail transportation itself was so new that its future was still very much in question. While some folks had moved into the region to take advantage of possible work opportunities, beyond building railroad lines, there was nothing to foretell the growth that was soon to consume the region.
It’s the story of how to build a city, one train track at a time on this week’s Stories of Atlanta.
