Todd Defeo 128 pages softcover
The State of Georgia
chartered the Western & Atlantic Railroad in 1836. The railroad
aided in the development and growth of many communities between Atlanta
and Chattanooga, Tennessee. In constructing the railroad, workers
created a winding route that cut its way across the North Georgia
landscape. During the Civil War, both armies used this vital artery, and
it was the setting for one of the war's most iconic events, the Great
Locomotive Chase. The state still owns the Western & Atlantic and
has leased it since 1870. The line remains an essential part of North
Georgia and is a backbone of the region's industry. As Atlanta ponders
its transportation future, it is important to remember that without the
Western & Atlantic, Atlanta would not be the city it is today.
