Atlanta is the U.S. state capital that was founded as Terminus in 1837 before being renamed Atlanta.
The settlement began as the southern end, or terminus, of the Western and Atlantic Railroad. Its early name was Terminus, and it was later called Marthasville before adopting Atlanta in 1848. The name reflected the railroad connection and its growth as a transportation center.
Atlanta became Georgia’s permanent capital in 1868, replacing Milledgeville. The choice reflected the city’s stronger rail connections and expanding commercial importance after the American Civil War. Georgia’s earlier capitals included Savannah, Augusta, Louisville, and Milledgeville.
A common mix-up is confusing Atlanta with Savannah, Georgia’s oldest major city and an earlier capital. Atlanta is inland, while Savannah lies on the Atlantic coast. Today, Atlanta is also the largest city in Georgia and the metropolitan hub of the southeastern United States.