City of Marietta history

Located just off the historic Marietta Square in the Kennesaw House (circa 1845), the Marietta Museum of History offers galleries that explore the expansive history of the City of Marietta and Cobb County.

In 1852 Marietta's formal incorporation took place.

On April 11, 1862, the first disruptive effects of the Civil War were felt by the city's people when a group of 22 undercover Union agents arrived.

During the American Civil War a major battle was fought at Kennesaw Mountain (June 27, 1864), just west of Marietta.

County finances gradually were improving, but the blackened ruin of the county courthouse remained as a reminder of the "War of Northern Aggression," as it was termed in the South, until the construction of a new building began in 1872.

The Marietta Bank (now called First National Bank of Cobb County) opened in 1888, and a paper mill, two chair and two marble companies, a textile mill, and a machine works sparked the economic recovery.

Schools were established early in Marietta, and the city set up its independent school system in 1892.

Old Highway 41 was paved in 1926, allowing ready access between Marietta and Atlanta and encouraging trade.

Cobb County's economy remained dependent on agriculture until 1940 when manufactured goods produced amounted to twice the value of agricultural products.