The City of Acworth is celebrating its 150th anniversary!
The City is celebrating its 150th (Sesquicentennial) Anniversary of when it received its charter as a City on December 1, 1860. Our rich history reveals the strength of character that has made our City one of achievement and created many traditions celebrated today.
The History Behind Our Town
In the soft green foothills of the North Georgia Mountains, on the gleaming Southeastern white sand banks of Lake Acworth rests the “Lake City” Acworth once home to the Cherokee Indians until the early 1830’s.
In 1831 Georgia organized Cherokee County and in 1832 divided it into 10 counties. The lands were sold in the land lottery of 1832. The State owned Western and Atlantic Railroad began operation in 1845 in what is now Atlanta and reached Chattanooga by 1851. Water was the life blood of the railroad and Northcutt Station was the first northbound water stop on the new railroad. Inspired by its majestic beauty, Joseph Gregg, a Western and Atlantic Railroad Engineer, renamed Northcutt Station and called it Acworth after his hometown of Acworth, New Hampshire. The name stuck and Acworth prospered as a busy trade center that combined restful fun with the excitement of commerce. In December of 1860 all of the land in a half mile radius of the Northcutt Station was incorporated as the thriving City of Acworth, Georgia.
Restful Acworth was the center of turmoil during “The War Between the States” when an unprecedented 250 local men signed up to fight for the Confederacy. Sherman was headquartered in Acworth for several days. Following the battles before and after Kennesaw Mountain, many local homes and churches became hospitals. Acworth was only spared the torch until November of 1864; many buildings were burned.
Acworth rose from the flames of the Reconstruction period and began to flourish. Again in 1903, the Georgia General Assembly re-incorporated Acworth as a City. At that time Acworth had a cotton gin, a bank, numerous stores and by the 1920’s mills continued to grow. In 1950 Lake Allatoona was completed and it, along with Lake Acworth, has given rise to many recreational opportunities for both residents and visitors.
Today Acworth is the center of a thriving, vibrant community and as the “Lake City” has a quality of life seldom available in the world today. Acworth offers that unique combination of a hometown community with a progressive outlook: looking forward to the challenges presented by new growth, yet proud to preserve the history of its origin.
Who's Celebrating?
City employees are not the only people excited about the City’s 150th Celebration. City-wide organizations are excited about the City’s Sesquicentennial and planning commemorative events and keepsakes. Be on the look out for the City’s new banners to be installed in Historic Downtown Acworth. The Acworth Downtown Development Authority has purchased these colorful banners to remind us of our Sesquicentennial Celebration. The Historic Downtown Acworth Merchant’s Group will be releasing their limited edition of a cookbook with recipes provided by downtown restaurants, business owners, City employees and long-time residents. The Acworth Historic Preservation Commission is sponsoring the publishing a commemorative book featuring Acworth’s last 150 years composed and published by the 150th Celebration Citizen Committee.
Acworth Hand Fan Trivia Q & A
- How did the City of Acworth get its name? Joseph Gregg, a Western and Atlantic Railroad Engineer, renamed Northcutt Station and called it Acworth after his hometown of Acworth, New Hampshire.
- What was the name of the movie theater in downtown Acworth during the 50’s? Legion theater
- Who was known as a local legend for his homeruns during the late 40’s on the Acworth Baseball League? William “Bill” Casey
- What Acworth resident was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2006? Larry Nelson
- In what year was Lake Acworth created? 1950
Acworth Trivia… Did you know?
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The land which Acworth incorporates today was originally inhabited by the Cherokee Indians.
Acworth owes its existence to the Western & Atlantic Railroad as a watering station for the railroad. It was once known as Northcutt Station, named for Alexander Northcutt until renamed by Joseph Gregg, a civil engineer employed by the Engineering Corps, U.S. Army who took residence in Acworth. Mr. Gregg named the City “Acworth” after his hometown Acworth, New Hampshire.
On December 1, 1860, the town was incorporated with its limits extending in a half mile radius from the W&A Depot at Main and Lemon Streets.
The oldest bank in Cobb County and one of the oldest in North Georgia was located in Acworth. The Smith Lemon Banking Company was opened in 1853 by Smith and James Lemon. The bank vault remains today in one of downtown’s historic commercial buildings.
In early June of 1864, Union General William T. Sherman and his troops utilized Acworth homes and churches as headquarters and hospitals. A familiar house remaining today, the Lemon House, was commandeered by Sherman’s staff officers sparing it from being destroyed. November of 1864, Sherman’s troops burned most of Acworth, displacing residents and burning farms.
After the Reconstruction Years, Acworth’s economy recovered from development of the two flour mills, tannery, and cotton warehousing, ginning, and transport.
Collins Funeral Home on Main Street is the City’s longest operating business within the City limits. In 1886, the J.F. Collins started a furniture and funeral business. At the time, Collins was the only business to manufacture caskets in the area. Today, the business still flourishes.
The Carrie Dyer Woman’s Club was organized in Acworth in 1897. This club established the City’s first library which is now operated by Cobb County’s library system. The Carrie Dyer Woman’s Club is still active today.
In 1927, the Boy Scout’s of America became an integral part of life for Acworth’s youth. Troop 116 was chartered by the Acworth United Methodist Church.
In 1935, City residential property sold for $43.00 per lot. Today it sells for approximately $35,000 per acre.
1944, during WWII, kids took crushed tin cans to the Legion Theater on Main Street in exchange for tickets to the picture show.
1950s, after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the 12,000 acre Allatoona Lake, Acworth Mayor Hilton Nichols closed the dam, creating the 325 Lake Acworth.
In the 1950’s a drive-in movie theater was located close to present day Lakewood Drive and Hudson Drive on the J.P. Dewberry farm property.
In 1970, the U.S. Census showed the population of Acworth at 3,939. Acworth has over 20,000 residents today.
Snow blizzard in March of 1993 paralyzed the City with over two feet of snow.
2004 the new City Hall was constructed and opened at the corner of Dallas Street and Senator Russell Avenue.
