Flashback photos: Cobb County, 1887-1988

Things to Do

Flashback photos: Cobb County, 1887-1988

Cobb County was established in 1832 and named for U.S. Senator Thomas Willis Cobb. Take a look back at a big chunk of that history in this collection of photos from the AJC's archives and from the Georgia State University archives.

Acworth, Ga: John Willie Jones rehearses his old-fashioned oxcart for upcoming Acworth centennial. Cart will be one of the featured attractions in the city's week-long celebration in July 1964.

From the original caption, published in 1926: "Major J.L. McCollum, veteran of the Civil War, doffs his hat to Mrs. Warren Vinson, dressed as a girl of the old south, at exercises held by veterans of the Blue and the Gray at Marietta, Ga., June 26, in commemoration of the 62nd anniversary of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain."

From original caption, published April 22, 1938: "Legal liquor comes to Cobb County: First legal liquor sale in Cobb County in 54 years was made in this 12x14 concrete block building Thursday afternoon. Built especially as a liquor store, the small structure stands next to the Smyrna City Hall. B. F. Reed, Jr., the proprietor, is in the doorway as a group of curious look on. The second Smyrna liquor store faces this one from across the highway."

From original caption, published April 22, 1938:"Following the 'land office business' from Atlantians and Mariettians Thursday evening, the second Smyrna liquor store was crowded Friday morning by local residents. H. M. Lively, manager, is delivering 'the goods' as Bill Spence signs the book."

Freight train wreck in Austell, Georgia, on Oct. 19, 1950. N02-141_01, Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia

Newlyweds Florrie and Rick at Dunkin Donuts drinking coffee after their wedding, Marietta, Georgia, June 5, 1988. AJC file.

Pine Forest Apartments were one-story brick houses formerly occupied by war workers of the Bell Bomber Plant (in Cobb County), which were turned into apartments following World War II. This photo companied a story published Sept. 28, 1945.

A railroad crossing in Austell in 1951.LBGPOA1-003b, Lane Brothers Commercial Photographers Photographic Collection, 1920-1976. Photographic Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

Sorghum time in Georgia. Grinding the cane at an old-fashioned mule driven syrup mill on the Dixie Highway near Acworth, Ga., in the 1930s.

Nov. 1970 - Smyrna, GA.: - South Cobb Drive, built in World War II as access road to Bell Bomber (Lockheed), is now a busy artery with many stores.

Downtown Austell on Oct. 2, 1950. LBGPOA1-004a, Lane Brothers Commercial Photographers Photographic Collection, 1920-1976. Photographic Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

At Storyland amusement park in Marietta on June 19, 1956. LBCB104-034a, Lane Brothers Commercial Photographers Photographic Collection, 1920-1976. Photographic Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

The Strand Theater, pictured here in 1983, was built in the 1930s. It's now been restored and is once again sparkling Marietta landmark.

Marietta Highway has many dangers as shown at the intersection of Terrell Mill Road: side road, narrow separator, narrow lanes present hazards to drivers. (1955)

1970 - A train breaks the calm of Acworth, Ga. (Staff photo-Robert Connell) 1970

Shriners from the Yaarab Shrine Temple of Atlanta at Six Flags Over Georgia on June 21, 1967. N44-143_c, Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

1983 photo of the exterior of the Acworth, Ga City Hall.

1981 - Acworth, Ga: Exterior of Acworth City Hall and Acworth Hardware buildings.

1952. Kennesaw, Ga: HAPPY DAYS: On a recently finished road to the top of Kennesaw Mountain, five 1952 Marietta High School graduates stroll hand in hand. Left to right, Iris Antley, George Swanson Jr., Mary Emma Welch, Robert Northcutt, and Nancy Shannon. There's plenty of room for hiking but only 44 cars at a time are allowed. PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN. PUBLISHED June 29, 1952 in the Atlanta Journal Sunday Magazine.

MARIETTA: This is the October 31, 1963 scene on the Marietta Square at the site of the explosion at Atherton Drugs that left several people dead and others injured. The explosion was at 6:23 pm. The historical photo, courtesy of the Marietta Fire Department, was taken by Bartow Adair, who was at the time chief investigator for the Marietta Fire Department. PHOTO BY BARTOW ADAIR/COURTESY OF THE MARIETTA FIRE DEPARTMENT/SPECIAL.

Acworth, Ga: Bystanders gather in front of the Bank of Acworth which was robbed Sept. 19, 1961.

Atlanta's version of 'Rosie the Riveter' works on a B-29 fuselage during World War II at the Bell Bomber Plant (now Lockheed) in Marietta. 1940s

Big Shanty, GA. W.&A. R.R. August, 1887. By photographer J.C. Stokely of Acworth, GA

April 1951 - New bridge across the Chattahoochee River is nearing completion. Four-lane stretch of new highway to Marietta will end at this point. (Sandy Sanders

Homecoming day for Gen. Lucius Clay in Marietta, Ga., May 26. Gen. Clay returned to his boyhood home following retirement as U.S. military governor in Germany. (Photo property of Atlanta Journal/Constitution) 5/26/49

1 / 25

Acworth, Ga: John Willie Jones rehearses his old-fashioned oxcart for upcoming Acworth centennial. Cart will be one of the featured attractions in the city's week-long celebration in July 1964.

Today's Gallery Headlines

Dream-Valkyries battle for winner-take-all Game 7 in WNBA Finals

1h ago

PHOTOS: Georgia defeats Florida in Atlanta

1h ago

PHOTOS: Pregame scenes before Florida vs. Georgia in Atlanta

PHOTOS: Famous faces from the WNBA Finals Game 6 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta

More Galleries

PHOTOS: A look at Dragon Con over the years

PHOTOS: Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire perform in Atlanta

PHOTOS: 2026 Juneteenth Festival held in Piedmont Park

PHOTOS: "Weird Al" Yankovic