Page 48 - DeKalb Bicentennial Flipbook

The City of Stone Mountain was once a sleepy
railroad stop at the base of a quartz monzonite dome
monadnock (left). Stone Mountain Park is Georgia’s
number one visited attraction for its lake, golf course,
trails, and incredible views (right).

CITY OF STONE MOUNTAIN

FOUNDED 1839
Mayor Dr. Beverly Jones

The City of Stone Mountain lies on the west side of its namesake mountain, 16 miles from downtown
Atlanta. This former railroad village was first incorporated as the town of New Gibraltar on
December 31, 1839. Andrew Johnson, a prominent settler whose lands included Stone Mountain, was the
town’s first mayor. His house is its oldest structure that hosts businesses on Mimosa Drive.
T he town was renamed Stone Mountain in completion on the 90-foot granite carving on the side of

Over half a century passed between concept to
1847 for the largest exposed mass of quartz
monzonite dome monadnock in the world.
Stone Mountain of Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee,
The arrival of the Georgia Railroad came
in 1845 and opened the destination as an important stopover. Stonewall Jackson, and Confederate President Jefferson
Davis. The first carving superintendent was Gutzon
Main Street in the village features historic buildings from Borglum who began work in 1923. Borglum left the
the early 1900s that now host new trends in the Atlanta area job and later carved Mt. Rushmore. Two other carvers
dining and cultural scene. The City of Stone Mountain has continued the Stone Mountain work, which was dedicated
been through a revitalization that attracts artists, brewers, in 1970 and completed in 1972. Today the carving is
and restaurateurs. The Welcome Center is in the Historic being de-emphasized and more attention is given to the
Train Depot. mountain’s natural and outdoor amenities that include

46 Sp i rit o f D eK alb – B i centen n ial 1822-2022