Kennesaw, Georgia Explained

Official Name:City of Kennesaw
Kennesaw
Settlement Type:City
Image Blank Emblem:Logo of Kennesaw, Georgia.png
Blank Emblem Type:Logo
Mapsize:250px
Pushpin Map:USA Georgia#USA#Metro Atlanta
Pushpin Label:Kennesaw
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of Kennesaw in Metro Atlanta
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Georgia
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Cobb
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Derek Easterling (R)
Established Title:Incorporated
Established Date:September 21, 1887
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:25.43
Area Land Km2:25.16
Area Water Km2:0.26
Area Total Sq Mi:9.82
Area Land Sq Mi:9.71
Area Water Sq Mi:0.10
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:33036
Population Density Km2:1312.88
Population Density Sq Mi:3400.51
Timezone:EST
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Coordinates:34.0233°N -84.6153°W
Elevation M:332
Elevation Ft:1089
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:30144/30152
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:13-43192[2]
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:0316387[3]

Kennesaw is a suburban city northwest of Atlanta in Cobb County, Georgia, United States, located within the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. Known from its original settlement in the 1830s until 1887 as Big Shanty, it became Kennesaw under its 1887 charter. According to the 2020 census, Kennesaw had a population of 33,036, a 10.9% increase in population over the preceding decade.[4] Kennesaw has an important place in railroad history. During the Civil War, Kennesaw was the staging ground for the Great Locomotive Chase on April 12, 1862. Kennesaw is home to Kennesaw State University, an R2 research institution and the third-largest public university in the state of Georgia.

Etymology

The name "Kennesaw" is derived from the Cherokee word gah-nee-sah, meaning 'cemetery' or 'burial ground'.[5]

History

As the Western and Atlantic Railroad was being built in the late 1830s, shanty towns arose to house the workers. These were near a big spring. A grade up from the Etowah River became known as "the big grade to the shanties", then "Big Shanty Grade", and finally "Big Shanty".[6]

Civil War

Camp MacDonald, a training camp, was located there from 1861 to 1863.[7]

During the Civil War, Big Shanty was the site of major fighting in the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, part of the larger Atlanta Campaign. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park,[8] located southeast of the city limits, now contains many of these historic areas. Much of the surrounding land has been developed, and many of the buried artifacts have been searched for and taken by people with metal detectors.[9] Some artifacts of the Civil War are still on display in the visitor center of Kennesaw Mountain.[10]

Later history

L.C. Chalker purchased a 1.25acres tract of land adjacent to the Kennesaw Cemetery from J.W. Ellis in 1934, which was sold for burial purposes. Chalker purchased another adjacent to the first parcel in 1948, which was also to be used for a cemetery. The Chalker family managed these portions of the cemetery until they were sold to the City of Kennesaw in the mid-1950s. The earliest known burial is the infant Lucius B. Summers, who was interred in 1863. Other grave markers date as far back as the 1860s to the 1890s. Civil War veterans are buried here. The Kennesaw Cemetery is still in use.

In March 2004, First Lady Laura Bush designated Kennesaw a Preserve America Community.[11]

Geography

Kennesaw is located in northwestern Cobb County, bordered by the city of Acworth to the northwest. Kennesaw Mountain is located southeast of the city limits in the battlefield park. Its summit is the highest point in the Atlanta metro area, at an elevation of above sea level. The city was renamed for the mountain.

U.S. Route 41 and State Route 3 pass through the city as Cobb Parkway, leading southeast 7miles to Marietta and northwest to Cartersville. Interstate 75 passes just northeast of the city limits, with access from exits 269, 271, and 273. Via I-75, downtown Atlanta is to the southeast, and Chattanooga, Tennessee, is northwest.

The iconic peaks of Kennesaw Mountain are visible from the bridge over Interstate 75 that crosses over the city limits of Kennesaw.[12] According to the United States Census Bureau, Kennesaw has a total area of 24.7sqkm, of which 24.4sqkm is land and 0.3sqkm, or 1.08%, is water.[13]

Climate

Kennesaw has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification: Cfa). On November 22, 1992, an F-4 tornado caused 34 injuries.

Demographics

2020 census

Kennesaw racial composition[14] !Race!Num.!Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)17,10251.77%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)7,84823.76%
Native American670.2%
Asian1,6264.92%
Pacific Islander170.05%
Other/Mixed2,1196.41%
Hispanic or Latino4,25712.89%
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 33,036 people, 12,803 households, and 8,250 families residing in the city.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 29,783 people, 11,413 households, and 7,375 families residing in the city. There were 12,328 housing units at an average density of 1027.3sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the city was 58.9% White, 22.3% Black, 10.8% Hispanic or Latino of any race, 5.3% Asian, 0.4% Native American, 0.02% Pacific Islander (U.S. Census), 4.7% of other races, and 3.0% non-Hispanic mixed of two or more races.

There were 11,413 households, out of which 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.0% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.

Economy

Personal income

The median income for a household in the city was $61,355 and the median income for a family was $75,465. Males had a median income of $46,953, versus $42,809 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,165. About 8.2% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.1% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.

Tourism

Several festivals are held annually. Every April the annual Big Shanty Festival displays over 200 arts and crafts booths along with 20 food booths downtown featuring several local businesses and entrepreneurs. Over 60,000 people from around North Georgia attend the festival. The festival begins with a parade through downtown.[15]

Government

The city hall[16] is located downtown, just off Main Street (old U.S. 41 and State Route 3, later State Route 293). It contains the offices of mayor and city council, a basement jail, a municipal 9-1-1 call center and other offices. It is the public-safety answering point for the city of Kennesaw and the neighboring city of Acworth, and dispatches the separate police departments of both cities. Calls for fire services are relayed to and dispatched from Cobb County's 911 center,[17] and serviced by the Cobb County Fire Department, as neither city has its own fire department.

Wireless Internet in city parks

In 2008, the city of Kennesaw awarded a bid to Digitel Wireless for the implementation of city wireless Internet. In March 2008, the city of Kennesaw announced the grand opening of four new wireless areas: Swift-Cantrell Park and Adams Park, and the train depot area across from the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. The city has also provided Wi-Fi in the Ben Robertson Community Center.[18]

Crime statistics

In 2001, violent crime rates were about 60% below national and state rates. Property crime rates were from 46–56% below national and state rates. From 1999 to 2011, Kennesaw crime statistics reported that both property and violent crimes had decreased, though from 2003 to 2008 the trend in both violent and property crime rates slightly increased.[19] The increase in crime rate overall is attributed to the population growth rate of 37.41%. The population growth rate is much higher than the state average rate of 18.34% and is much higher than the national average rate of 9.71%.[20]

County services

The Cobb County Public Library System operates a Kennesaw branch library. The Cobb County Police Department serves unincorporated areas, including the Town Center Area Community Improvement District and Kennesaw State University (in addition to KSU's own police).

Gun law

Kennesaw is noted for its unique firearms legislation, passed in response to a handgun ban in Morton Grove, Illinois. In 1982 the city passed an ordinance [Sec 34-21]:[21]

A similar law was passed in 2000 in the city of Virgin, Utah, making it the second city in the United States to require residents to own guns.[22] Nelson, Georgia; Nucla, Colorado; and Gun Barrel City, Texas, also followed suit.[23]

Local attractions

Education

Public schools are operated by the Cobb County School District.

Elementary schools include Big Shanty Intermediate.,[27] Bullard,[28] Chalker,[29] Hayes,[30] Kennesaw,[31] and Lewis.[32]

Middle schools include Awtrey,[33] Lost Mountain,[34] McClure,[35] Palmer,[36] and Pine Mountain.[37]

High schools include Harrison High School,[38] Kennesaw Mountain,[39] North Cobb,[40] and Kennesaw Charter Science & Math Academy.[41]

Private schools include Sunbrook Academy at Legacy Park,[42] Sunbrook Academy at Stilesboro, and Mount Paran Christian School.

Kennesaw State University is located within the city and is part of the University System of Georgia.

Sports

In 2016, the Atlanta Blaze of Major League Lacrosse spent their first year of play as an expansion franchise with home games at Fifth Third Bank Stadium on the campus of Kennesaw State University.[43] The team relocated in 2019.

Notable people

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. December 18, 2021.
  2. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. 2008-01-31. https://web.archive.org/web/19961227012639/http://www.census.gov/. 1996-12-27. live.
  3. Web site: US Board on Geographic Names. 2008-01-31. United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20120212191832/http://geonames.usgs.gov/. 2012-02-12. live.
  4. Web site: Explore Census Data . 2023-08-23 . data.census.gov.
  5. Digital Commons Kennesaw. 2014 Faculty Bookshelf. KSU.edu. 2014. 2015-02-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20150208102251/http://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/facbooks2014/24/. 2015-02-08. live. Martin. Christopher. King. David.
  6. News: How Big Shanty Got Its Name . Trade Day News . Kennesaw, Georgia . 9 . April 23–24, 1977 .
  7. Web site: Georgia Forts: page 7. www.northamericanforts.com. 2013-01-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20121129163700/http://www.northamericanforts.com/East/ga-north.html#shanty. 2012-11-29. live.
  8. Web site: Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park – Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park . Nps.gov . 2012-07-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101013162433/http://www.nps.gov/kemo/ . 2010-10-13 . live .
  9. Web site: Kennesaw. Mailing Address: 900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr. Us. GA 30152 Phone: 770-427-4686 x0 Contact. Relic Hunting and Metal Detecting - Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (U.S. National Park Service). 2020-10-29. www.nps.gov. en.
  10. Web site: Kennesaw. Mailing Address: 900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr. Us. GA 30152 Phone: 770-427-4686 x0 Contact. Basic Information - Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (U.S. National Park Service). 2020-10-29. www.nps.gov. en.
  11. Web site: Preserve America – Explore and Enjoy Our Heritage . Preserveamerica.gov . 2012-07-03 . 2012-07-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120714113603/http://www.preserveamerica.gov/ . 2012-07-14 . live .
  12. Web site: Bridge over I-75 - News KSU. 2020-10-29. news.kennesaw.edu.
  13. Web site: Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Kennesaw city, Georgia. dead. https://archive.today/20200212175717/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US1343192. February 12, 2020. July 29, 2014. U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder.
  14. Web site: Explore Census Data. 2021-12-13. data.census.gov.
  15. Web site: Big Shanty Festival Kennesaw.com. 2020-10-31. en-US.
  16. Web site: 911 Home Page . 911.cobbcountyga.gov . 2012-07-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120411051054/http://911.cobbcountyga.gov/ . 2012-04-11 . live .
  17. Web site: Kennesaw Wi-Fi . Kennesaw Wi-Fi . 2012-07-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120809064455/http://www.kennesawwifi.net/ . 2012-08-09 . live .
  18. Web site: Kennesaw Crime Rate Report (Georgia) . 2013-04-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130126035608/http://www.cityrating.com/crime-statistics/georgia/kennesaw.html . 2013-01-26 . live .
  19. Web site: Kennesaw Population and Races (Georgia) . 2014-02-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140303045007/http://www.usa.com/kennesaw-ga-population-and-races.htm . 2014-03-03 . live .
  20. Web site: Sec. 34-21. - Heads of households to maintain firearms. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130829212500/http://library.municode.com/HTML/12813/level3/PTIICOOR_CH34CIEM_ARTIIFI.html#PTIICOOR_CH34CIEM_ARTIIFI_S34-21HEHOMAFI . 2013-08-29 . 2013-02-06 . library.municode.com . Municode Library.
  21. Web site: 5 November 2000 . Town in Utah Requires Owning Guns . 2022-07-14 . ABC News.
  22. Web site: Finefrock . Amelia . 20 December 2018 . 5 American Cities That Require You To Own A Gun . 2021-02-17 . BrainCharm . en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20221130102523/https://braincharm.com/2018/12/20/5-american-cities-that-require-you-to-own-a-gun/. November 30, 2022.
  23. News: USA Today Travel. Travel Tips - USA Today. 2012-07-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20130304071137/http://traveltips.usatoday.com/attractions-kennesaw-georgia-31981.html. 2013-03-04. live.
  24. Web site: Museum of History & Holocaust Education . Kennesaw.edu . 2012-07-12 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121005180117/http://www.kennesaw.edu/historymuseum/ . 2012-10-05 .
  25. Web site: About the Gallery | Archives, Rare Books & Records Management . Web.kennesaw.edu . 2012-07-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120722150826/https://web.kennesaw.edu/archives/about-gallery . 2012-07-22 . live .
  26. Web site: Big Shanty Intermediate School. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150818052438/http://www.cobbk12.org/BigShanty/. 2015-08-18. 2015-08-14. www.cobbk12.org.
  27. Web site: Bullard Elementary School. www.cobbk12.org. 2015-08-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20150811021728/http://www.cobbk12.org/bullard/. 2015-08-11. live.
  28. Web site: Chalker Elementary School. www.cobbk12.org. 2015-08-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20150828044951/http://www.cobbk12.org/chalker/. 2015-08-28. live.
  29. Web site: Hayes Elementary School. www.cobbk12.org. 2015-08-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20150823022907/http://www.cobbk12.org/Hayes/. 2015-08-23. live.
  30. Web site: Kennesaw Elementary School. www.cobbk12.org. 2015-08-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20150815021704/http://www.cobbk12.org/kennesaw/. 2015-08-15. live.
  31. Web site: Lewis Elementary School. www.cobbk12.org. 2015-08-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20150822175154/http://www.cobbk12.org/Lewis/. 2015-08-22. live.
  32. Web site: Awtrey Middle School. awtreyvikings.com. 2015-08-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20150812013135/http://awtreyvikings.com/. 2015-08-12. live.
  33. Web site: Lost Mountain Middle School. www.cobbk12.org. 2015-08-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20150813160053/http://www.cobbk12.org/lostmountain/. 2015-08-13. live.
  34. Web site: McClure Middle School- Home of the Mavericks. www.cobbk12.org. 2015-08-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20150810123441/http://www.cobbk12.org/mcclure/. 2015-08-10. live.
  35. Web site: Palmer Middle School. www.cobbk12.org. 2015-08-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20150822081005/http://www.cobbk12.org/palmer/. 2015-08-22. live.
  36. Web site: Pine Mountain Middle School. www.cobbk12.org. 2015-08-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20150809130145/http://www.cobbk12.org/PineMountain/. 2015-08-09. live.
  37. Web site: Home - Harrison High School. www.harrisonhigh.org. 2020-05-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20200215050837/http://www.harrisonhigh.org/. 2020-02-15. live.
  38. Web site: Kennesaw Mountain High School. www.cobbk12.org. 2015-08-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20150818052634/http://www.cobbk12.org/KennesawMountain/. 2015-08-18. live.
  39. Web site: North Cobb High School. www.cobbk12.org. 2015-08-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20150809125941/http://www.cobbk12.org/northcobb/. 2015-08-09. live.
  40. Web site: .: Kennesaw Charter. kennesawcharter.com. 2015-08-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20150811025447/http://kennesawcharter.com/. 2015-08-11. live.
  41. Web site: Daycare in Kennesaw, Georgia - Sunbrook Academy at Legacy Park. 2015-08-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924111614/http://www.sunbrookacademy.com/legacy-park-kennesaw-ga/. 2015-09-24. live.
  42. Web site: Major League Lacrosse. www.majorleaguelacrosse.com. 2018-03-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20180310135520/https://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/press-release/12300/major-league-lacrosse-announces-newest-expansion-team-atlanta-blaze. 2018-03-10. live.
  43. Web site: My Most Memorable Game - Darvin Adams . . March 1, 2021.
  44. Web site: 2016-11-03. How This Transgender Supermodel Found Love. 2020-10-31. www.advocate.com. en.
  45. Jesse James Dupree
  46. Web site: Error. thunderaaahockey.com. 2013-06-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20131103213243/http://thunderaaahockey.com/news.php?news_id=342569. 2013-11-03. live.
  47. Web site: Ron Lester. IMDb.com, Inc.. 13 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160805004503/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0504516/. 5 August 2016. live.
  48. Web site: Steelers acquire Fields in trade with Bears . 2024-03-21 . www.steelers.com . en-US.
  49. News: Brasch. Ben. Journal-Constitution. The Atlanta. These are the most famous folks from Cobb County. 2020-10-31. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. en.
  50. Web site: Mizelle . Shawna . 2023-08-15 . Who is Scott McAfee, the judge assigned to oversee Trump case in Georgia? . 2023-08-16 . CNN . en.
  51. Web site: Sean O'Pry - Model. 2013-06-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20130603065840/http://models.com/models/sean-O. 2013-06-03. live.
  52. Web site: Mathew W. Pitsch. intelius.com. April 9, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150408224026/http://www.intelius.com/results.php?ReportType=1. April 8, 2015. live.
  53. Web site: Dansby Swanson Stats, Highlights, Bio Gwinnett Stripers Stats. 2020-10-31. Gwinnett Stripers. en.
  54. News: 'MacGyver' reboot films at Austell restaurant. January 17, 2017. Marietta Daily Journal. 2017-02-22. en.
  55. Web site: Exempt player bios at www.pba.com . Pba.com . 2012-07-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120614114735/http://www.pba.com/Bowlers/Bowler/9680 . 2012-06-14 . live .