Chattahoochee River in Georgia US

Chattahoochee River

It begins as a spring in the fittingly name "Chattahoochee Gap," little more than a trickle of water at 3200 feet. Over the first 100 miles the river falls almost 2400 feet, forms a major Southeast lake (Lanier) and provides water for millions of Georgians. The river has played a key role in the history of the state. Paleolithic and Woodland Indians called it home. Moundbuilders navigated it as far north as present-day Helen. The Cherokee and Creek used the river as a border, first between their Nations, then between themselves and early settlers. In its watershed the first great American Gold Rush occurred. Crossing the river was a major accomplishment for William Tecumseh Sherman during the Atlanta Campaign. The flooding of the "...valleys of Hall" helped to feed Georgia's second "gold rush" -- tourism.

Today, in addition to providing drinking water and power in north Georgia the Chattahoochee is a major source of recreation. Fishing, tubing, canoeing, boating, hiking and camping on its banks, shores, and in its watershed are all popular activities.

But the Chattahoochee is also challenged: north of Atlanta, the once pristine condition of the river and its tributaries is being repeatedly intruded upon by the city's sprawling growth, in some cases illegally, and south of the city, the river retains a reputation of being one of the most heavily polluted stretches of river in the country.

Throughout this article About North Georgia publisher Randy Golden looks at the important role the Chattahoochee River played in the history of north Georgia, the geography, geology, hydrology and ecology of this important river, and the unique opportunities of the river that defines the state.

"Georgia On My Mind" - THE SONG

"Georgia on My Mind" is a song written in 1930 by Hoagy Carmichael (music) and Stuart Gorrell (lyrics). It is the official state song of the U.S. state of Georgia. Gorrell wrote the lyrics for Hoagy's sister, Georgia Carmichael. However, the lyrics of the song are ambiguous enough to refer either to the state or to a woman named "Georgia". Carmichael's 1965 autobiography, Sometimes I Wonder, records the origin: a friend, saxophonist and bandleader Frankie Trumbauer, suggested: "Why don't you write a song called 'Georgia?' Nobody lost much writing about the South." Thus, the song is universally believed to have been written about the state.
The song was first recorded on September 15, 1930 in New York by Hoagy Carmichael and His Orchestra with Bix Beiderbecke on muted cornet and Hoagy Carmichael on vocals. The recording was part of Bix Beiderbecke's last recording session. The recording was released as Victor 23013 with "One Night in Havana".
Frankie Trumbauer had the first major hit recording in 1931 when his recording made the top ten on the charts. Trumbauer had suggested that Carmichael compose the song.
The song is perhaps best known as sung by Ray Charles, who recorded the song in 1960 on the album The Genius Hits the Road. It became Georgia's state song in 1979. Inspired by this blues version, Willie Nelson formally introduced the song to country audiences in 1978 as a #1 Country/Western hit.

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Georgia State Symbols

Undoubtedly the most famous and well known of all the Georgia State Symbols, the Peach became the official state fruit in 1995. Georgia has been called the Peach State for quite some time because of the delicious peaches that are grown here!

In 1979, the Azalea became the state wildflower. Azaleas can be found covering much of our state and come in a variety of colors. These flowers bloom from March until August. An interesting thing about these lovely flowers is that they are actually mildly poisonous!!! When these flowers are eaten by animals, they can cause stomach and heart problems.

Our state’s official vegetable, the Vidalia Onion, is internationally known as the “world’s sweetest onion.” The interesting thing about these onions is that when the seeds are planted anywhere other than the areas surrounding Vidalia and Glennville they produce a normal hot onion. In fact, onions grown anywhere else in the world cannot be called Vidalia Onions- the name is attached to the location in which it is grown.

Our state reptile, the Gopher Tortoise, is one of the oldest living species native to Georgia! The group of land tortoises that it belongs to originated in North America over 60 million years ago!!! The Gopher Tortoise digs burrows up to 40 feet wide and 10 feet deep, which provides shelter for the tortoise and more than 3 dozen other animal species. This is another one of our symbols who’s population is declining. In Georgia, the Gopher Tortoise is categorized as a Threatened Species- they are also listed that way in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. In Florida the Gopher Tortoise is considered a Species of Special Concern, South Carolina lists the species as Endangered! The Gopher Tortoise was designated as Georgia’s official Reptile in 1989.

The Green Tree Frog became Georgia's State Amphibian during the 2005 legislative session, making it the newest state symbol. The idea for this bill came from kids just like you!! The Green Tree Frog was chosen because it has very porous skin and can't live in a heavily polluted environment. The class hoped that it would draw the public's attention to pollution. Even kids can make a difference!!

The Live Oak has been around since the first settlers of Georgia came here. They are especially abundant on Georgia’s coast and islands. It became the official State Tree in 1937. The natural curves of these trees made them ideal for ship building during the early days of Georgia’s settlement.

Yep!! One of your breakfast favorites, grits, is the official State Prepared Food of Georgia!! The dish was chosen in 2002 because its made from corn, which is one of Georgia’s chief crops.

Did you know that nearly half of the peanut crop in the United States is grown right here in Georgia? Georgia has 14,418 farms with peanuts and about 5,000 active farmers. Sylvester Georgia is the peanut capitol of the world!!!! The peanut was adopted as our state crop in 1995.

The Tiger Swallowtail became Georgia’s official state butterfly in 1988. Its bright yellow and black markings make it one of the most beautiful butterflies in Georgia.

In 1970, the Brown Thrasher became the state bird of Georgia. Much like the Green Tree Frog, this animal, too was chosen by students. The Brown Thrasher can be found in neighborhoods and fields throughout Georgia. These birds eat lots of different things, like bugs, small animals, fruit and nuts. Brown Thrashers have long curved beaks that help them find food.

The Cherokee Rose became the official State Flower of Georgia in 1916, making it the second oldest state symbol next to the State Seal. Its name comes from the Cherokee Indians who lived in Georgia many, many years ago. There is an Indian legend about this flower. According to the Cherokees, when the Trail of Tears started in 1838, the mothers of the Cherokee were crying so much that they were unable to help their children survive the long, hard journey. The elders prayed for a sign that would life the mother’s spirits to give them strength. The next day a beautiful rose began to grow where each of the mother’s tears fell. The rose is white for tears; a gold center represents the gold taken from Cherokee lands, and seven leaves on each stem for the seven Cherokee clans. The wild Cherokee Rose grows along the route of the Trail of Tears into eastern Oklahoma still today.

The Honeybee is not only the state insect of Georgia,

but its also the state insect of Kansas, Arkansas, Maine,

Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina,

Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont and

Wisconsin!!

Quite a popular insect!!

The honeybee was chosen as our state insect in 1975

because of its contributions to Georgia through honey

production and helping with agriculture pollination.

The Bobwhite Quail has been Georgia’s official State Game Bird since 1970. These birds have become increasingly popular to hunt in Georgia and their population is quite large.

With fishing being so popular in Georgia, it seems only fitting that we have a State Fish. In 1970, the Largemouth Bass became the state fish. These fish are among the most sought after in Georgia- at one time- the world’s largest Largemouth Bass was caught in Georgia!

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Atlanta First United Methodist Church

Atlanta First United Methodist Church celebrated its 160th year of existence in 2007. With such a long and glorious history of service to God and the community, our story has come to hold great meaning for us. Many interesting and prominent members of the community have worshipped with us over the years.

Our beginning dates back to early missionary efforts. At that time, Atlanta was known as Marthasville, a little railroad village, and terminus for four railroad lines then under construction. Local preachers were gathering groups together for services. Small groups met in private homes, in warehouses on Peachtree Street and Auburn Avenue, even in the Georgia railroad offices, where services were conducted, and future plans were discussed.

In 1845, a public spirited citizen by the name of Samuel Mitchell donated a lot of land to the Methodists. It was a triangular lot, surrounded by Peachtree, Pryor and Houston Streets. Here was built a small log house with a chimney at each end (pictured at left). It was a used as a school during the week and as a church on Sunday. An interdenominational Sunday school was organized, known as the Union Sabbath School. Presbyterians, Baptists, and Methodists held preaching services, each group alternate their Sundays to avoid conflicts.

After using the log cabin for some months, the Methodists decided to build their own house of worship. They were the first denomination in Atlanta to take this important step. In 1847, the same year Marthasville was renamed "Atlanta," a committee raised $700, of which $150.00 was used to buy additional land on Peachtree Street. A first board of trustees was organized, and a large frame building, outstanding for that day, was constructed (pictured below right). This new chapel was named Wesley Chapel to honor John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, and dedicated on March 24th, 1848.(This is just a brief of the long history about this Church).

Atlanta First United Methodist Church is a church with a long history in the great city of Atlanta and a vision of serving Christ now and in the future. Their primary function is bringing people to God and each other. To do this, the Church provides a place where people can worship together, study the teachings of Christ and apply those teachings by serving those in need through our "Compassion in Action" ministries outreach program. See more about this Church at Atlanta First United Methodist Church web site.

Georgia Capitol Historic Ground

Georgia Capitol Grounds State Historical Marker

Located on Washington St. on northwest corner of State Capitol Square, Atlanta

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HISTORIC GROUND

Atlanta's first City Hall stood here 1853-1883. Used jointly by Fulton county courts. During Atlanta's occupation - Sept. to Nov. 1864 - the 2nd Mass. Regiment, constituting the Provost Guard of Sherman's army, camped in a park on this site. From here, Sept. 6, 1864, went notice to the civilian population of Atlanta to assembly for registration and evacuation. Present State Capitol begun 1884; completed 1889. Commissioners turned back $118.43 of a $1,000,000 building appropriation.

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Georgia State Capitol

The Georgia State Capitol, in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States, is an architecturally and historically significant building. It has been named a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition, it is the working center of Georgia's government. The offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Secretary of State are on the second floor, while the General Assembly meets on the third floor from January to April. There are also visitors' galleries and a museum on the fourth floor.

The 2nd Oldest Catholic Church in Atlanta,GA

Sacred Heart, Atlanta

Sacred Heart, Atlanta

Sacred Heart Parish was founded in 1880. The original church, known as Saints Peter and Paul, was a small wooden building located at the southwest corner of Marietta and Alexander Streets, twelve blocks west of the present location. When the area became too commercial, parishioners made plans to purchase a new site and build a church "at some distance from the business district".

In 1897, an Atlanta architect, W. T. Downing, was commissioned to design the new church. In keeping with the then popular devotion to the Sacred Heart, the name of the church was changed to "The Sacred Heart of Jesus". The architectural style is basically French Romanesque, with some variations and additions.

On May 13, 1976, the Church of the Sacred Heart was entered in the National Register of Historic Places, in recognition of its "artistically significant architecture".

Atlanta's PEACHTREE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Located at a prominent bend of Peachtree Street in the city's Midtown section, Peachtree Christian Church is a Gothic Revival edifice constructed of stone, concrete and an outer surface of red brick and concrete. Its most conspicuous feature is a bell tower topped by squared turrets on all four corners and visible for a number of blocks in either direction. Just north of the bell tower is the church's rectangular sanctuary, extending in a southwesterly direction from its Peachtree Street frontage. Like the tower, the sanctuary is highlighted by limestone quoining at all corners, and both sections are replete with limestone molded frames around Gothic windows.

The front elevation also contains the 1949 Annie Laurie Warren Chapel, constructed in a simplified Gothic form at the west side of the entrance. The second and latest addition to the church is an L-shaped education wing constructed in 1964, connecting the meeting and dining areas behind the nave with the chapel.

Peachtree Christian Church is primarily significant for its historical, architectural and cultural contributions to the city. It is closely associated with the life of famed Atlanta business leader Amos Giles Rhodes (1850-1928). The Church is a distinctive example of the 1920s Gothic Revival mode and of the work of the regionally important architect Charles H. Hopson (1865- 1941). Its aesthetic hallmark is a large and especially fine collection of stained glass windows. Though the church represents one of the smaller denominations within Georgia, it is culturally significant within the metropolitan community. It has achieved a wide reputation for its original and longstanding emphasis on interdenominational good will and its well-known radio exposure.

Atlanta’s first Catholic Church

Shrine of the Immaculate Conception with Atlanta City Hall in distance.

The first beginnings of this building, the oldest church in north Georgia and Atlanta’s first Catholic Church, are told in stories of early missionaries to the area. No existing records prior to 1846 verify when or where the first Mass was celebrated in Atlanta. Conflicting stories from that period suggest various private homes or a school building as the site of that first Atlanta liturgy.

In all probability missionary priests were ministering to Atlanta by the early 1840’s. These early missionary priests followed the railroad, celebrating Mass in various railroad camps and towns throughout north Georgia.

Atlanta Catholics completed their first church building in 1848. Not yet named, it was known simply as “the Catholic Church”. This building stood on the same site as the present church. This first church was a simple wood frame structure similar to the construction of surrounding buildings.