Atlanta, Georgia is a famous old railroad city with a rich history. It is also the city that rose out of the ashes to become a modern city marked by skyscrapers and a dedication to academic interests. It marks some of the darkest moments in the history of the south as well as some of the proudest, but how is it that Atlanta overcame a time of the worst trials to reach the heights that it has today?
Since its inception, Atlanta has been a railroad town. It was the railroad center of the south before and during the Civil War. This made it the unfortunate target of the Union campaign, and nearly the entire city was burned to the ground in Sherman's March to the Sea. However, Atlanta wasn't finished yet.
The people of Atlanta rebuilt, and the population grew after the war. It took on the symbol of the Phoenix because of its incredible rise from the flames of destruction. The need for construction as a result of the disaster led to economic security in the form of an influx of construction-related jobs.
Atlanta also became quickly focused on education, and several colleges were instituted for the first time. A few were even initiated for the African-American population. Atlanta became more industrialized and therefore moved away from the agricultural economy it had before the war. The company Coca-Cola first saw success in Atlanta. So did some other unique things.
Country music became another essential part of Atlanta, and air travel brought a larger population and economic growth to the city. In 1917, the Great Atlanta Fire furthered the symbolism of the Phoenix. While many people were left homeless, only one was killed, and the determined city soon recovered.
A real setback came with the Great Depression, but help came from a very unexpected place. Coca-Cola stepped in to help the financially struggling city. While some help did come from the government in the area of housing, Atlanta survived almost on its own. During World War II, many soldiers were trained at Atlanta. The city also became a significant participant in military production, which contributed to the economic security experienced by Atlanta leading into the Civil Rights Movement.
Atlanta was the hometown of Martin Luther King, Jr. When he was assassinated, there was rioting across the country, but not in Atlanta. The peace the man would have desired marked his funeral there.
Now, Atlanta is home to one of the busiest airports. It is home to skyscrapers and major highways that continue to bring in a large number of people. In 1996, the Olympics were held in Atlanta in one of the proudest moments of its history. The Centennial Olympic Park was built for the event and is still the scene of tourism and various events in the city. There are fountains in the park and numerous other attractions, but the most appealing aspect may be the brick pavers. They are engraved with brief messages from donors.
However, the Olympic games were interrupted by a tragic act of terrorism. A bomb was detonated in the park, resulting in two deaths and about 100 injuries. This cast a huge shadow over the event but did not end it, and the park remains quite popular. It is a testimony to the determination of Atlanta to overcome difficulties.
Another testimony to this has been its commitment to transportation with highways, rail lines, and airports. Traffic in Atlanta is some of the worst in any city. Atlanta has been called in the past 'too busy to hate.' It is certainly busy. However, Atlanta is not too busy to still enjoy a small measure of household agriculture, also known as gardening.
Many plants are particularly popular in Atlanta. Butterfly weed, despite its name, can also be a garden plant. It is native to Georgia. The plant has beautiful orange flowers and ends up at about three feet in height. This perennial is a strong attraction for butterflies and is from the milkweed family.
Another native perennial is Arkansas blue star. Its flowers are not as showy, but the plant itself is a lovely green color. In fall it will change to a warm yellow hue. Its flowers are small, star-shaped and light blue. It will grow anywhere from one to three feet tall.
Trees are a typical ornament to Atlanta. Maples are some of the most popular. They are familiar for their beautiful fall array. Some turn red, while others turn yellow or orange. They can be small 10-foot varieties or more than 60 feet tall. Many trees in this category also tolerate drought well.
Crabapple trees are also common. They have fruit similar to the typical apple, and if they are carefully pruned, they can suit even a small garden well. They also have beautiful blossoms.
Another well-known tree that is common to Atlanta is the oak. There are many different kinds of oak trees. Most people are familiar with oaks for their acorns, also known as oak nuts. They can grow very tall, and some types are even evergreens.
These are only a few types of the many kinds of trees in Atlanta. It is a green city. Well-kept lawns can contribute significantly to its beauty, but with the reputation, it has as such a busy place, it is questionable whether most people would have any desire to go through the troublesome process of planting and maintaining a lawn. After all, many lawns require mowing up to two times a week. With all of the work needed to mow it and keep it looking nice, many people won't have time.
Here at Lawn Love, we have created a solution. We have made it easier for you to get your lawn mowed and keep Atlanta looking as beautiful as it is today. We have put the process of getting a quote and hiring a professional to mow your lawn entirely on the internet. As the world becomes more and more tech-driven, this is a new need that Lawn Love is prepared to meet. Look us up and schedule our professional services today to keep your lawn looking beautiful.
