Marietta in Cobb County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Bell Bomber (B-29) Plant
1943 - 1946
Photographed By David Seibert, July 15, 2010
1. Bell Bomber (B-29) Plant Marker
A plan to help lift rural Cobb County out of the Great Depression by building a commercial airport changed course when America entered WWII and Marietta was chosen as the location for a new aircraft assembly plant. Wartime necessity had rival companies collaborating as when Bell Aircraft Corporation of Buffalo, NY was awarded a contract to build B-29 Superfortresses designed by Boeing. Standing 29 feet tall with a wingspan of 141 feet, the four-engine plane had a 4,000-mile range, a ceiling above 30,000 feet and maximum speed exceeding 350 mph. In total, 668 B-29s were produced here. Peak employment surpassed 28,000 people with both skilled and unskilled jobs commanding higher wages than were found elsewhere. At the end of the war the B-29 contract was cancelled, employees were laid off and Bell sold its assets. The plant left an enduring legacy of prosperity in terms of increased wealth and workforce capabilities. Used primarily for storage until the onset of the Korean War, the plant was reopened in 1951 with a contract awarded to Lockheed.
Erected 2010 by Cobb County Community Development Agency.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Industry & Commerce • War, Korean • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1951.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. The Bell Bomber Park (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mary Phagan (approx. one mile away); Lady in Black (approx. 1.1 miles away); Rev. Thomas Milton Allen (approx. 1.1 miles away); William Root (approx. 1.1 miles away); This Little Cannon (approx. 1.1 miles away); Rest well, Miss Mattie (approx. 1.1 miles away); S. V. Sanford (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marietta.
More about this marker. Marker has been snapped off of its post mount and is missing.
Regarding Bell Bomber (B-29) Plant. Since the plant's reopening in 1951, it has produced a wide variety of aircraft, including the C-141, the C-5, the C-130 (still in production), the F-22, and currently components for the F-35. The plant is currently a Lockhead Martin facility.
Photographed By David Seibert, July 15, 2010
2. Bell Bomber (B-29) Plant Marker
Looking west on South Cobb Drive, Georgia Highway 280
Also see . . . Bell Bomber Plant. New Georgia Encyclopedia website entry (Submitted on July 28, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)
Photographed By David Seibert, July 15, 2010
3. Bell Bomber (B-29) Plant Marker
Looking east on South Cobb Drive (Georgia Highway 280); the entrance to the Lockheed Martin is to the right
Photographed By David Seibert, July 24, 2010
4. Bell Bomber (B-29)
A B-29 Bomber, on display at the Dobbins Air Force Reserve Base adjoining the Lockheed Martin Marietta facility (former the Bell Bomber plant).
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, December 27, 2022
5. Bell Bomber (B-29) Plant Marker
Missing marker post in middle of picture
Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 3,449 times since then and 637 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 28, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 5. submitted on April 23, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
