History of Marietta, Georgia
Marietta is a city located in central Cobb County, Georgia {{GR|6}}, and is its county seat.
As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 58,748, making it one of metro Atlanta's largest suburbs. Census Estimates of 2005 indicate a population of 61,261. Marietta is the third largest of three principal cities (by population) of and is included in the Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta-Sandy Springs, Georgia|Sandy Springs-Marietta, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Gainesville, Georgia-Alabama (part) Combined Statistical Area.
Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU), Chattahoochee Technical College and Life University are located here, and the city operates its own school district, separate from the county. Dobbins Air Reserve Base is on the south side of town, separated from SPSU by a Lockheed-Martin factory|manufacturing plant. The major local landmark in Marietta is the Big Chicken, a large, metal, animated chicken structure atop what is now a Kentucky Fried Chicken, located east of downtown at one of the city's busiest intersections - Cobb Parkway and Roswell Street. Even as the city has become more urbanized, locals still give directions by referencing it.
The city also operates Marietta Power under the auspices of the Board of Lights & Water (BLW). The BLW is also party to the Cobb-Marietta Water Authority. The city formerly operated Marietta FiberNet, a fiber optic telecommunications network|network, but was forced to sell the network to American Fiber Systems after substantial losses.
Downtown Marietta features Glover Park, the historic town square and former location of the county courthouse. The Strand Theatre on the square is being renovation|renovated back to its original design. The Marietta Gone with the Wind Museum, also called "Scarlett On the Square," houses one of the world's most extensive collections of memorabilia related to both the book and the film. The CSX trains between Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tennessee|Chattanooga (Western and Atlantic Railroad|Western & Atlantic Subdivision) still run a block west of the town square, past the Train station|train depot (now the visitor center) and the Kennesaw House, one of only two buildings in Marietta not burned to the ground in Sherman's March to the Sea.
Marietta's sister cities are Heredia, Costa Rica|Heredia, Costa Rica and Linz am Rhein, Germany.
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