Norcross, Georgia

Norcross, Georgia. . Norcross was established in 1870 by John J. Thrasher, a railroad builder, entrepreneur, and one of the early pioneers who started the settlement of Marthasville, now known as Atlanta. In 1870, he headed north, bought land to build a home and founded the town, which he named in honor of his longtime friend, Jonathan Norcross. This mural is dedicated to the rich history and historical significance of our town. The images inside each of the letters celebrate the important people and key milestones that helped make Norcross what it is today., N: Jonathan Norcross , Our town's namesake, Jonathan Norcross arrived in Marthasville, now known as Atlanta, in 1844, around the same time as founder John Thrasher. A dry goods merchant and sawmill operator known for his pioneer spirit and ambition, he became the fourth mayor of Atlanta (1.851-1852). Dubbed the "Father of Atlanta," by the press, he also ran for governor of Georgia in 1876., O: Trains and Railroad , In 1880, the citizens of Norcross convinced Atlanta and Charlotte Air Line Railway management to start the Airline Belle, a commuter train that took passengers to Atlanta in. the morning and brought them home in the evening. The successful train was extended to serve travelers as far away as Toccoa, and operated for over 50 years., R: The Cotton Gin , Cotton was the main cash crop in the agriculturally- based economy of Georgia in the late 1800s and early 1900s (until the appearance of the devastating boll weevil insect). The Norcross Cotton Gin (short for "engine"), which is still standing today, allowed farmers to separate the valuable lint (which was made into thread) from the seeds in the cotton boll, and thus prepare their crop for market., C: The Brunswick Hotel , In the 1870s, town founder John Thrasher marketed Norcross as a resort destination, offering visitors clean air and water, along with mild weather. He built a two-story resort hotel, The Brunswick, which stood across from the city park and accommodated visitors for many years., R: Lum Howell , Around 1865, local black citizens founded the Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church. Located just a few blocks away on Hunter Street, the still-thriving church boosts thousands of members today. Blacksmith Columbus "Lum" Howell, who operated a shop on Skin Alley from the 1920s to the 1950s, was a respected community leader and active advocate for the education of black children., O: Roy Carlyle , Roy Carlyle was one of four young men that were raised in Norcross and played major league baseball in the 1920s. Carlyle, who was known as a powerful hitter, still holds the record for the longest measured home run in professional baseball history, at 618 feet., S: Norcross Depot , The first cotton shipment from Norcross was shipped to market by rail in October 1870. The current (second) Norcross depot was built in 1909, by John Pettyjohn and Company for The Southern Railway for $4,750.00. It was built a year after the first building caught fire in the middle of the night and burned to the ground., S: Noye Nesbit , Soldiers, sailors, and pilots from Norcross have served in the armed forces since the beginning of our town's history. Georgia Tech graduate and World War I veteran Noye Nesbit, shown here, said of his service in France, "We went over there to win. We knew it was dangerous, and it might cost us our lives, but that didn't stop us."