SoNo in Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Georgia Power

“A Citizen Wherever We Serve”

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 21, 2021

1. Georgia Power Marker

Inscription. Electricity came to Atlanta in 1884, when the Georgia Electric Light Company of Atlanta, chartered in 1883, began operating its first generating plant and installed 22 streetlights. Henry M. Atkinson (1862-1939) was a driving force behind the development of the electric industry in Georgia and built the foundation for the present-day Georgia Power. Within five years, the company was powering 800 streetlights, a few businesses and electric streetcars. Beginning in 1902, Preston S. Arkwright Sr. (1871-1946) led the company's growth through a string of acquisitions of smaller municipal and independently owned electric systems across the state. Known as Georgia Power (a subsidiary of Southern Company) since 1926, the company now serves millions of customers throughout Georgia.

Erected 2015 by Georgia Historical Society • Georgia Power. (Marker Number 60-15.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 33° 45.844′ N, 84° 22.914′ W. Marker is in Atlanta, Georgia, in Fulton County. It is in SoNo. Marker is at the intersection of Piedmont Avenue NE and Ralph McGill Boulevard

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NE, on the right when traveling north on Piedmont Avenue NE. Marker is at the corner of the utility's headquarters campus. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Atlanta GA 30308, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Saint Joseph's (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Imperial Hotel (approx. ¼ mile away); First United Methodist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Atlanta's First Hospital (approx. ¼ mile away); Historic Reconciliation (approx. 0.3 miles away); Southern Company (approx. 0.4 miles away); Baltimore Block (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.

Also see . . . Georgia Power Profile and Case Study (PDF). The utility's history told through words and pictures as part of the Georgia Business History Initiative. (Georgia Historical Society) (Submitted on December 1, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 21, 2021

2. Georgia Power Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 160 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 30, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

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