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Ready? Go Exploring!Experience the rich history of our region by exploring some of the landmarks and landscapes that tell Cobb County's story. Jump in the car and use the scavenger hunt below to discover a few of the many historic sites located in your own back yard! The sites below are listed in a suggested order of travel, but they can be visited in whatever order you choose. We hope you'll enjoy exploring Cobb County! Please do not use your phone while driving.
Use #cobblandmarks to share your adventure! With Coronavirus (COVID-19) in mind, this scavenger hunt has been designed to be enjoyed from your vehicle. We encourage you to practice social distancing at this time. |
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Hermi's Bridge
Spanning the Chattahoochee River between Vinings and Buckhead, this steel truss bridge was constructed in 1904. Threatened by demolition during the 1970s, the bridge was saved in large part thanks to lobbying by Hermoine (Hermi) and Cecil Alexander. This site can be viewed from 4199 Paces Ferry Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30339. |
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Concord Covered Bridge
Built in 1872, this is the only covered bridge still in use on a public highway in the metropolitan Atlanta area. This site can be viewed from 254 Concord Rd SW, Smyrna, GA 30082. |
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The Big Chicken
In 1956, Stanley “Tubby” Davis came to Marietta and opened a restaurant called Johnny Reb’s Chick, Chuck and Shake. Wanting to capitalize on the north/south traffic on Highway 41, Tubby decided he needed to erect something to attract travelers. He hired Hubert Puckett, a Georgia Tech architecture student, to design a novelty chicken structure over his restaurant. Fabricated by Atlantic Steel, the 56-foot-high chicken was completed in 1963. The restaurant was taken over by Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) in 1974. Renovated in 2017, the Big Chicken is one of Marietta’s most popular attractions. This site can be viewed from 12 Cobb Pkwy SE, Marietta, GA 30062. |
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Brumby Hall
Constructed in 1851, Brumby Hall was the home of Colonel Arnoldus V. Brumby, the first superintendent of the Georgia Military Institute. It was the only building at the Georgia Military Institute campus to survive the Civil War. The Georgia Military Institute (GMI) was established in Marietta on July 1, 1851, and was destroyed by Union troops during the Civil War. Today the GMI site is occupied by the Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Hotel & Conference Center. This site can be viewed from from the parking lot of the Hilton Hotel at 472 Powder Springs St SW, Marietta, GA 30064. |
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Denmead Warehouse
Constructed in 1854 for Edward Denmead, this warehouse was one of the only buildings in downtown Marietta to survive the burning of Marietta by General Sherman's troops in 1864. This site can be viewed from 34 Mill St, Marietta, GA 30060. |
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Kennesaw House
Built as a cotton warehouse by John Glover in 1845, the Kennesaw House was purchased by Dix Fletcher in 1855 and converted to a hotel named the Fletcher House . During the Civil War the hotel was used as a Confederate hospital and morgue. Made famous by "the Great Locomotive Chase," Andrews’ Raiders stayed in the hotel the night before stealing the steam engine, the General. This site can be viewed from 1 Depot St, Marietta, GA 30060. |
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Marietta National Cemetery
The site of Marietta's National Cemetery was donated to the federal government by Henry Greene Cole, an innkeeper and Union sympathizer, in 1866. Today the cemetery contains more than 17,000 remains. This site can be viewed from 500 Washington Ave NE, Marietta, GA 30060. |
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Old Zion Baptist Church
The "Old" Zion Baptist Church was organized by former slaves on April 8, 1866. Prior to 1866, most of the congregants were members of First Baptist Church of Marietta. During the 1850s, the black church members at the First Baptist Church worshipped from a separate gallery or balcony section reserved for the enslaved. This site can be viewed from 149 Haynes St Marietta, GA 30060. |
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William Root House
The Root House was built circa 1845 for Hannah and William Root, early settlers of Marietta. William was one of Marietta’s earliest merchants and its first druggist. Born in Philadelphia in 1815, William moved to Marietta in August 1839 to open a drug/mercantile store. Eleven members of the Root family lived in the home during the 1850s. This site can be viewed from 80 North Marietta Pkwy NW, Marietta, GA 30060. |
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Marietta Confederate Cemetery
This cemetery was founded in 1863 when soldiers were brought to Marietta for burial after being killed in a train collision near Emerson, Georgia. This site can be viewed from 395 Powder Springs St, Marietta, GA 30064. |
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Kolb Farm
The Kolb Family Cabin was constructed by early Cobb pioneer Peter Kolb sometime before 1838. The Battle of Kolb's Farm was fought on June 22, 1864, between Union forces under Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker and Confederate forces under Lt. Gen. John B. Hood. Hood attempted an attack on the Union force, but failed. This site can be viewed from 1581 Powder Springs Rd SW, Marietta, GA 30064. |
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Mable House
Constructed in the 1840s, the Mable House belonged to Robert Mable and his family. During the 1840s and 50s, Mable operated a sawmill on his 300-acre property. The house was used as a field hospital by Federal troops during the Civil War. Today, the house is operated as part of the Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department. This site can be viewed from 5239 Floyd Rd SW, Mableton, GA 30126. |
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Butner-McTyre General Store
Constructed during the mid-19th century for use as a general store, this unique building is currently occupied by ‘rooted trading co.’. The front portion of the store dates to the 1860s. An addition was constructed during the 1890s connecting the store to a barn and blacksmith shop which dates to the 1850s. Today the barn and blacksmith shop space is occupied by Hardy Woodworks. This site can be viewed from 4455 Marietta St, Powder Springs, GA 30127. |
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Lost Mountain Store
This 1881 country store was rehabilitated in 1996 and is now home to a local financial institution. Reclaimed wood from the store counters and shelves was used to create the bank counter and conference room table. The original store sign, artifacts and memorabilia are preserved inside. This site can be viewed from 5100 Dallas Hwy, Powder Springs, GA 30127. |
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Green Plantation
Constructed in the 1840s, the Green-Bullard House was used as a field hospital by Confederate forces during the Civil War. Today, the property is owned by Cobb County and is operated as community garden and multipurpose park. This site can be viewed from 3780 Dallas Hwy, Marietta, GA 30064. |
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Berlin Wall
You can visit a section of the Berlin Wall without leaving Cobb County. The piece is on loan to Kennesaw State University by Senator Chuck Clay, grandson of Marietta's Lucius D. Clay, who served as Military Governor of Germany between 1945 and 1949. This site can be viewed from 402 Bartow Ave Kennesaw, GA 30144. |
