Where to Live
Marietta, the county seat, is the county’s largest city. Its famous town square is home to quaint shops, an award-winning theater and a beautiful park, complete with a gazebo and fountain. Another famous Marietta landmark is the Big Chicken, a giant rendering that sits atop the local Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant. This bird is so popular that it is hard to get directions around the
city without a reference to the Big Chicken. Marietta also has a large historic presence, with three historic districts. It was the temporary home of General Sherman during his March to the Sea during the Civil War.
The second-largest city in Cobb County is Smyrna, the Jonquil City. First established as a Methodist campground, the city now has a population of more than 43,000. Long known for the beauty of the many jonquils that bloom each spring, Smyrna is recognized for its town center, the Village Green. Smyrna’s downtown area has been rejuvenated with a new shopping and dining
village, community center, city hall, library and public safety building. The community center features a 55,000-square-foot complex with two gymnasiums, racquetball courts, exercise rooms, community meeting facilities and conference rooms. Festivals and special events throughout the year occur on the Green.
North of Marietta is Kennesaw. Its namesake mountain is where the Civil War battle between Sherman and General Joseph E. Johnston occurred, and the battlefield is now a national park. The city also is known as the home of The General, the locomotive that was stolen in 1862 and was the subject of the movie “The Great Locomotive Chase.” The General now sits in the Southern
Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History.
The small cities of Powder Springs and Austell were once railroad stops. Powder Springs was named for the seven mineral springs that flowed through the area. Austell, home of Six Flags Over Georgia, was named for General Alfred Austell, founder of Atlanta National Bank. Acworth is
located in the northernmost part of the county on the shores of Lake Acworth.