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Cobb celebrates its Terquasquicentennial in 2007
By David E. Layman
CobbLine Staff
This year, Cobb County is celebrating its terquasquicentennial — which is just a fancy and tongue-tying way of saying Cobb is celebrating its 175th birthday.
In honor of this significant milestone, a variety of special events, exhibits and celebrations are lined up throughout the year, culminating with a community celebration on Dec. 3 at the soon-to-open Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
Cobb officially became a Georgia county in 1832, several years before the founding of the nearby little railroad town of Terminus, which eventually became known as Atlanta. Cobb County was created by the Georgia legislature from Cherokee and Creek Indian territory and was named for former U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator and Georgia Superior Court Judge Thomas W. Cobb of Greensboro. The county seat, Marietta, was chartered two years later, and is generally believed to be named for his wife, Mary. The county’s first courthouse was a one-room log structure built that same year.
Cobb County endured several Civil War battles which occurred within the county, as well as the ravages of Gen. William T. Sherman whose army burned the county courthouse and many local buildings.
Cobb’s history also includes noteworthy businesses and industries which helped the county grow, such as the Bell bomber plant which led to a population boom during World War II. The plant eventually became Lockheed-Martin which, along with the addition of Dobbins Air Reserve Base and Naval Air Station Atlanta, helped fuel the area’s economy.
Today, Cobb is a vital part of the Atlanta metropolitan region and continues to thrive with steady growth in population and development.
“Cobb County citizens have much to be proud of as we celebrate our 175th birthday,” said Cobb County Board of Commissioners’ Chairman Sam Olens. “Our county has grown over the years to become one of the largest and most progressive counties in the region, with a wonderful quality of life, low taxes and an eye constantly on improvement and progress as we continue to grow in the future.”
Activities planned to celebrate the anniversary include a historical float in the July 4 parade in Marietta commemorating Cobb’s history, as well as the third annual Family Fun Fest in conjunction with the annual 5K race in Marietta Square in October. County facilities will begin flying special 175th anniversary flags, and in the coming months, displays and exhibits at local libraries, senior centers and recreation centers will highlight Cobb’s history.
The year’s anniversary events will culminate with a community celebration at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on Dec. 3, the county’s actual birthday.
“It will be a full evening of song, dance, and fun,” said Elizabeth Whitlock, arts and cultural affairs division director for Cobb Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. “There will be a huge cake and all the things you associate with a birthday party.”
The two-hour show will feature fun, high energy performances from Cobb’s finest entertainers, Whitlock said. A list of performers at the show will be released this summer and the event will be free and open to the public.
For more information on events celebrating Cobb’s terquasquicentennial, be sure to visit CobbCounty.org and stay tune to future editions of CobbLine.
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