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

The Burning and Destruction of Atlanta

The Burning of Atlanta Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, April 11, 2011

1. The Burning of Atlanta Marker

Inscription. After capturing Atlanta in September 1864 during the Civil War, Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, before leaving Atlanta on the March to the Sea, ordered the destruction of all railroads, factories, and commercial buildings of possible use to the Confederacy. On Nov. 11, 1864, Chief Engineer Orlando M. Poe directed the demolition of stone and brick buildings using specially made battering rams. On Nov. 15, Poe’s troops burned the wooden buildings in the downtown business district around the site of this marker. Though houses and churches were not targeted, some were burned nonetheless. Many houses had already been dismantled by both armies to make way for fortifications. Contrary to popular myth only forty percent of Atlanta was left in ruins.

Erected for the Civil War 150 commemoration by the Georgia Historical Society and the Georgia Department of Economic Development

Erected 2011 by Georgia Historical Society and the Georgia Department of Economic Development. (Marker Number 60-9.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society

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series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1864.

Location. 33° 45.083′ N, 84° 23.317′ W. Marker is in Atlanta, Georgia, in Fulton County. It is in South Downtown. It is at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr Drive and Central Avenue SW, on the right when traveling west on Martin Luther King Jr Drive. The marker stands some distance from Martin Luther King Jr Drive, in front of the Georgia Railroad Depot. This is just outside the entrance to Underground Atlanta. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 645 Martin Luther King Jr Drive, Atlanta GA 30314, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

Photographed by David Seibert, April 11, 2011

2. The Burning of Atlanta Marker

within walking distance of this marker: Georgia Railroad Freight Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Georgia Railroad Freight Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); Zero Mile Post (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Immaculate Conception Church (about 400 feet away); St. Philip's Church (about 500 feet away); The American Kennel Club Dogny Project (about 500 feet away); The Eternal Flame Of The Confederacy (about 500 feet away); Historic Ground (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.

More about this marker. There have been protests against the marker's location, and it may be moved.

Also see . . . Video - - Dedication of Marker ::. (Submitted on June 24, 2011, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)

Photographed by David Seibert, April 11, 2011

3. The Burning of Atlanta Marker

The Georgia Freight Depot, one of the oldest buildings in downtown Atlanta, is in the background.

Photographed by David Seibert, April 11, 2011

4. The Burning of Atlanta Marker

The marker prior to its dedication

Photographed by David Seibert, April 11, 2011

5. The Burning of Atlanta Marker

The marker dedication ceremony

Photographed by David Seibert, April 11, 2011

6. The Burning of Atlanta Marker

Hermina Glass-Avery, the Associate Director of the Center for the Study of the Civil War Era at Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia, speaks at the dedication of the marker.

Photographed by David Seibert, April 11, 2011

7. The Burning of Atlanta Marker

The marker after its unveiling

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,745 times since then and 102 times this year. Last updated on April 24, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on April 19, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.