Kennesaw in Cobb County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Site - Lacy Hotel

Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 2007

1. Site-Lacy Hotel Marker

Inscription. Eastward across R. R. stood the 2-story frame hotel, leased by George M. Lacy in 1859 -- an eating house for passengers on the State-owned railway until June 9, 1864, at which time the Federal forces occupied Big Shanty. April 12, 1862, the Andrews Raiders [US] seized the locomotive "General" while train crew & passengers were breakfasting at the hotel. Fortified by a stockade, it housed a Federal garrison from June 9 to Oct. 3, 1864, when it was recaptured by Confederate forces. Reoccupied by Federal troops it was maintained as a R. R. blockhouse until abandoned & burned by them, Nov. 14.

Erected 1954 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 033-41.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 12, 1862.

Location. 34° 1.421′ N, 84° 36.909′ W. Marker is in Kennesaw, Georgia, in Cobb County. Marker is on North Main Street, on the right when traveling west. West side of railroad Tracks. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kennesaw GA 30144, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Andrews Raid (here, next to this marker); Stewart's Corps at Big Shanty

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(here, next to this marker); Federal Occupation of Big Shanty (a few steps from this marker); Big Shanty (a few steps from this marker); Locomotive "General" (within shouting distance of this marker); William A. Fuller (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The General (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kennesaw.

Regarding Site - Lacy Hotel. The Hotel (which is referred to as the “Big Shanty Hotel” by Sherman in one of his dispatches) was burned to the ground by Sherman’s troops on November 14, 1864. Its exact location has been lost, but Dr. Betty Smith of Kennesaw State University conducted an archaeological survey of the general site in the late 1990s, and surmised that the hotel was located under the present day parking lot of the Big Shanty Depot.

Lacy Hotel, Andrews Raid, Stewart's Corps at Big Shanty, & Federal Occupation of Big Shanty Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Seibert, March 8, 2000

2. Lacy Hotel, Andrews Raid, Stewart's Corps at Big Shanty, & Federal Occupation of Big Shanty Markers

Drawing of the Lacy Hotel by Wilbur G. Kurtz

3. Lacy Hotel

The present day Big Shanty Depot image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 2007

4. The present day Big Shanty Depot

Possible site of Original Lacy Hotel

Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 6, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 4,958 times since then and 147 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 6, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2. submitted on September 10, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 3, 4. submitted on February 6, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.