Kennesaw Historical Society, Inc.
c/o Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History
2829 Cherokee St.
Kennesaw, GA 30144
Looking for a guest speaker on North Georgia historical topics? Click here.
To contact us by e-mail: khsociety@earthlink.net
To access the August 2010 Newsletter (.pdf 203kb)
Civil War locomotive General, of "Great Locomotive Chase" fame
Historic Photos/Stories about Kennesaw Needed
"Retracing the Route of Sherman's Atlanta Campaign and the March to the Sea" now published
"The W&A, the 'General', and the Andrews Raid: A Brief History" published
On August 14, 2010, the Southern Museum and the Kennesaw Historical Society are sponsoring a lecture entitled Confederate General John B. Gordon, with John Gordon Morrow III, MD as the speaker. Dr. Morrow is a descendent of General Gordon. General Gordon served under Robert E. Lee, and also served as a U.S. Senator and Governor of Georgia after the Civil War.
The lecture will start at 2:00 in the Southern Museum Education Center classrooms. There is no charge to attend the lecture. If you’d like to attend the lecture, but not pay museum admission, we recommend parking in the rear parking lot of the Museum, and entering by the rear education center doors (furthest away from the front of the Museum).
| Coming Events - 2010/2011 | ||
Date |
Location/Time |
Event |
| March 13, 2010 | Southern Museum Auditorium/2:00 | Railroad Music Show |
| April 10, 2010 | Southern Museum Education Center/2:00 | History of the Western & Atlantic Railroad, with author Robert Jones |
| May 8, 2010 | Southern Museum Education Center/2:00 | The Kennesaw City Cemetery, with author Joe Bozeman |
| June 12, 2010 | Southern Museum Education Center/2:00 | The Story of Georgia’s Boundaries: A Meeting of History and Geography, with author Dr. William J. Morton |
| July 10, 2010 | Southern Museum Education Center/2:00 | Sherman's March to the Sea, with author Robert Jones |
| August 14, 2010 | Southern Museum Education Center/2:00 | Confederate General John B. Gordon, with John Gordon Morrow III, MD |
| September 11, 2010 | Bus tour - 9:00-5:00 | Retracing the "Great Locomotive Chase" route (fee) |
| March 12, 2011 | Southern Museum Education Center/2:00 | Sherman's Atlanta Campaign, with author Robert Jones |
| April 9, 2011 | Southern Museum Education Center/2:00 | The Great Locomotive Dispute, with author Joe Head |
| May 14, 2011 | Southern Museum Auditorium/2:00 | Western Music Show |
| June 11, 2011 | TBD | TBD |
| July 9, 2011 | TBD | TBD |
| August 13, 2011 | TBD | TBD |
| September 10, 2011 | TBD | TBD |
All events are FREE to the public, except where otherwise noted
An excerpt from a recent lecture:
Kennesaw Historical Society President Robert C. Jones has published a new book entitled "The W&A, the 'General', and the Andrews Raid: A Brief History". It is available on Amazon in two editions - one with all black and white photos, and one with 36 color photos. To order from Amazon:
Click here to order wholesale (packs of 10).
Description:
"The ambitiously named Western and Atlantic Railroad ceased to exist in 1890, and at its peak commanded a main line only 137-miles long. Yet today, it is still one of the most easily recognizable names in the history of American railroading. Why? The W&A played an important role in two of the most famous incidents in the Civil War, including the Andrews Raid (a.k.a. Great Locomotive Chase) in 1862, and Sherman's Atlanta Campaign (1864), where it served as the Union supply line. This book will examine the brief but significant life of this famous railroad, as well as the history of its most famous locomotive - the "General". The book also contains a step-by-step "Retracing the Route of the Andrews Raid" section, which describes thirteen sites associated with the Raid that have extant remains.
The "General" is the most revered and famous locomotive in the world. It was the star of the Civil War Andrews Raid. It was the subject of at least three movies, including "Railroad Raiders of '62", "The General", starring Buster Keaton, and "The Great Locomotive Chase" starring Fess Parker. It has been the subject of countless books and articles.
The later history of the General is almost as exciting as the Chase itself. In April 1962, the General retraced its route from the Great Locomotive Chase under its own power. From 1967-1970, the General was the center of a complicated legal battle between Chattanooga, Tennessee (on one side) and the L&N Railroad and the State of Georgia (on the other side). Part of this battle included the blockading of the main line of the old W&A railroad just south of Chattanooga, TN. The legal battle went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court to be resolved."
Kennesaw Historical Society President Robert C. Jones has published a new book entitled "Retracing the Route of Sherman's Atlanta Campaign and the March to the Sea". It is available on Amazon in two editions - one with all black and white photos, and one with 75 color photos. To order from Amazon:
Click here to order wholesale (packs of 10).
From the back cover: "Love him or hate him, the actions of William Tecumseh Sherman in Georgia in 1864 transformed the Civil War in the space of seven months. From a conflict which was still very much in doubt as to its victor in early 1864, by the time Sherman had captured Atlanta, marched to the Sea, and captured Savannah, the will to fight had largely left the South, and the outcome of the War had become a foregone conclusion. This book tells the story of both Sherman's Atlanta Campaign and his March to the Sea, through the mechanism of looking at what remains today (monuments, buildings, trenches, etc.) at sites associated with those events."
Authors Joe Bozeman, Robert Jones and Sallie Loy have collected over 200 old photos of Kennesaw, ranging from the 1880s to the 1980s and published them in the book Images of America: Kennesaw from Arcadia Publishing. The book is also available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other online outlets and stores.
The Kennesaw Historic Preservation Commission is sponsoring a book celebrating the 125th anniversary of the incorporation of Kennesaw (to be published next year). Do you have any old photos of Kennesaw (pre-1980)? Street scenes, sporting events, railroad infrastructure, churches, businesses, schools, people in scenes around Kennesaw are all good candidates for the book. All photos will be scanned and returned to you in a short time.
Also needed are 2-3 paragraph stories about life in Kennesaw. What was it like in Kennesaw during the depression? During the 1950s? What was it like the day the General ran under its own steam in April 1962? What was it like to go to church in the 1940s in Kennesaw? What was it like when the Gun Law was passed in Kennesaw in 1982? What was it like taking a passenger train from the Kennesaw depot? These are the types of stories that we're looking for.
If you have photos or stories to contribute, please contact Robert Jones (the book author) at jone442@bellsouth.net.
On April 20, 2010, Kennesaw Historical Society President Robert Jones was interviewed on Russian Television regarding Kennesaw's Gun Law. The finished product can be seen below. The interview segments with Mr. Jones took place in the cab of the famous Civil War locomotive "General".
Helen Odom has been awarded the 2009 Kennesaw Historical Society award for historic preservation. Helen is a native of Kennesaw - she was born in a railroad section house in Kennesaw. She served for many years as postmaster of Kennesaw. In 2006, she was a contributor to the book Images of America: Kennesaw.
She received the 2009 award for her “continuing contribution to the preservation of the history of Kennesaw, Georgia".
Helen Odom (l) receives the 2009 Preservation Award from Kennesaw Historical Society President Robert Jones
Bob Ferris, an employee at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, has been awarded the 2008 Kennesaw Historical Society award for historic preservation. Bob Ferris spent many years performing free maintenance on the General, and even spent several nights sleeping in the cab of the General after the back wall of the museum burned down in the 1990s.
He received the 2008 award for his “continuing contribution to the preservation of the history of Kennesaw, Georgia and the General.”
Bob Ferris (r) receives the 2008 Preservation Award from Kennesaw Historical Society President Robert Jones
Click here for a 6 megapixel version (2.53mb)
Sallie Loy, senior archivist for the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History Archives and Library, has been awarded the 2007 Kennesaw Historical Society award for historic preservation. Sallie was the co-author of the 2006 book from Arcadia entitled Images of America: Kennesaw. She also helped collect content for a similar book about Acworth.
She received the 2007 award for her “continuing contribution to the preservation of the history of Kennesaw, Georgia.”
Sallie Loy receives award from Kennesaw Historical Society President Robert Jones
The winner of the 2006 Kennesaw Historical Society award for historic preservation is Mrs. Billie Frey. The award is given each year to the person or persons best “preserving the history of Kennesaw and the General”. Mrs. Frey contributed over half of the photos that appeared in the recent book Images of America: Kennesaw from Arcadia Publishers.
The award was presented at a ceremony in the Kennesaw Depot.
Mrs. Billie Frey (l) receives the 2006 Kennesaw Historical Society award for historic preservation, from Historical Society President Robert Jones
Interesting WWW links
City of Kennesaw Web site: http://www.kennesaw.ga.us/
http://www.locomotivegeneral.com/
The Kennesaw Historical Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and presentation of the ongoing history and heritage of the city of Kennesaw (Big Shanty), Georgia. The society collects, preserves and promotes historical information on Kennesaw such as photographs, artifacts, interviews with local residents, and magazine/newspaper articles. The Society presents historical information on Kennesaw to the public through meetings and seminars, through organized field trips to local historical sites, through the publication of pamphlets and books, and through the production of videos. All proceeds from the sale of such items go toward the continued preservation and presentation of historical information about Kennesaw.
Membership in the Society is open to anyone. Yearly membership is free. To join, send an e-mail to khsociety@earthlink.net. Please include your name, address, and e-mail address. The Society maintains a close relationship with the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, but is not a part of the museum operations. The Kennesaw Historical Society meets on the second Saturday of each month from March-October from 2:00-3:00p, at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History theater. All meetings are open to the public. Note: If you'd like to attend the meeting, but not pay museum admission fees, please come in the back door of the museum.
The Kennesaw Historical Society, Inc. is officially registered as a nonprofit corporation within the State of Georgia, and is classified 501(c)(3) under the IRS code.
Yearly membership is free. To join, send an e-mail to khsociety@earthlink.net. Please include your name, address, and e-mail address.
The Kennesaw Historical Society meets on the second Saturday of each month from March-September from 2:00-3:00p, at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History Education Center classroom. All meetings are open to the public. Note: If you'd like to attend the meeting, but not pay museum admission fees, please come in the back door of the museum.
From the Wade Green Rd. Exit of I-75, travel west on Cherokee St. for two miles. The museum is on the right, before the railroad tracks.
To order any of the following booklets (wholesale or retail) from the author, please click on this link
To purchase Retracing the Route of Sherman's Atlanta Campaign and the March to the Sea black and white edition or color edition.
To purchase The W&A, the "General", and the Andrews Raid: A Brief History black and white edition or color edition.
President - Robert C. Jones
Treasurer - Steve Hollingsworth
Secretary - Debra Kasson-Jones
The Historical Society has several 45-60 minute presentations available to church groups, school groups, social clubs, etc.:
Retracing the Route of the General - From the book The W&A, the "General", and the Andrews Raid: A Brief History black and white edition or color edition
Retracing the Route of Sherman's Atlanta Campaign - From the book Retracing the Route of Sherman's Atlanta Campaign and the March to the Sea
Retracing the Route of Sherman's March to the Sea - From the book Retracing the Route of Sherman's Atlanta Campaign and the March to the Sea
Kennesaw in the 19th Century
Kennesaw in the 20th Century
Big Shanty During Sherman's Atlanta Campaign
Battle of Allatoona Pass
A Brief History of the Western & Atlantic Railroad - From the book The W&A, the "General", and the Andrews Raid: A Brief History black and white edition or color edition
From the book The W&A, the "General", and the Andrews Raid: A Brief History black and white edition or color edition
The Law Heard Round the World - The Kennesaw Gun Law
The Search for a Lost Death Valley Ghost Town
Christianity and the Civil War - From the book "A Brief History of Protestantism in the United States"
For more information on scheduling a speaker on these (and other) topics, click here.
Glimpses of Kennesaw history
Date |
Activity |
| c. 1830s | Railroad shanties built by spring |
1860 |
According to the 1860 Cobb County Census, over 60% of the population of Big Shanty was involved in agriculture. 12% worked in railroad-related jobs. |
| 1853 | First postmaster named, Wm. M. Elliot |
| June 11, 1861 | Camp McDonald established |
| April 12, 1862 | Great Locomotive Chase |
| June 6, 1864 | Big Shanty falls to Union troops; used as a supply base, hospital, and headquarters by the Union army |
| June 27, 1864 | Battle of Kennesaw Mountain |
| October 3, 1864 | Big Shanty briefly falls to Confederate troops under John Bell Hood |
| November 14, 1864 | The Lacy Hotel burned to the ground by Union troops |
1870 |
Big Shanty has three retail stores, one blacksmith shop, two house carpenters, two Methodist ministers, one doctor |
| 1877 | First Baptist Church dedicated |
| c. 1880s | Ben Hill store is built (now the Consignment Shop) |
| September 21, 1887 | City of Kennesaw is incorporated |
| c. 1890s | Sole City income was from the "street tax" - $.50 for the head of every household |
| 1891 |
|
| c. 1890s | Scarlet fever epidemic; smallpox scare (affected houses marked with red flannel flags) |
| c. 1902 | James Lewis builds the 3-story brick building on the corner of Main & Lewis Sts. (first use: dry goods) |
| c. 1905 | Kennesaw State Bank building erected (next to the brick building) |
| 1908 | Mayor and council order local census - 500 people counted |
| c. 1909 | Warehouse next to the modern day museum was built |
| c. 1910 | Kennesaw State Bank chartered; capitalized for $25,000 |
| 1911 | City starts charging Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railroad $100 a year for use of local spring water |
| c. 1911 | Southern Bell granted telephone franchise; auto speed limit is 8 mph |
| 1917 | First electrical generating plant created in basement Cherokee St. warehouse |
| c. 1920 | "Kennesaw Smokers" semi-pro baseball team |
| c. 1920 | Paving of the Dixie Highway; original Main St. is re-routed to present-day configuration |
| c. 1920 | Commuter trains to Atlanta - 6am, 9am, 10am; commuter books sell for $3.00/week |
| c. 1928 | Original cotton mill built on site of present day museum; burned down in 1945 |
| March, 1938 | The Kennesaw Consolidated School (1908) burns to the ground (In 1938, the school had 384 students, and 11 teachers) |
| 1952 | Kennesaw State Bank closes |
| April 14, 1962 | The General retraces its run from Big Shanty to Chattanooga, where it is again displayed |
| April 12, 1972 | The Big Shanty Museum (now the Kennesaw Civil War Museum) opens, home to the Civil War locomotive the General |
| May 1, 1982 | Gun ordinance passed |
| 1980s | Five historic districts in Kennesaw placed on National Register (Big Shanty Village, Camp McDonald, Cherokee Street, Summers Street, N. Main St.) |
| 1990s | Population of Kennesaw goes over 10,000 |
1995 |
Civic Design Commission (now Historical Preservation Commission) established to protect integrity of historical districts |
| 2003 | Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History opens |
Page last updated: 09/01/2010
