Over the past week, the country-wide clash regarding Confederate monuments has reached new heights.

But amid all the back-and-forth is a nugget of history connecting Cobb County to the national argument.

Decades ago the McNeel Marble Co. in Marietta grew into one of the nation's most prolific Confederate monument makers. They built more than 140 Confederate monuments, including dozens in Georgia.

That 140 includes the statue that was pulled down by protesters in Durham, North Carolina last week; eight individuals have been arrested in connection with that incident.

Experts agree that demand for Confederate monuments spiked twice: at the turn of the 20th century and about the time of the civil rights movement.

Read more about the history of the McNeel company and the reaction to the national uproar from a descendent of the company's founders on myAJC.com.

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Rep. Nancy Pelosi Calls For Confederate Statues Removal From Capitol

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Carden Wyckoff speaks to media members during a press conference outside Five Points station on Thursday, June 25, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

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