Misplaced Pages

Stone Mountain, Georgia: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 21:40, 16 November 2018 editBobiusPrime (talk | contribs)398 editsm →EducationTag: references removed← Previous edit Latest revision as of 16:46, 29 December 2024 edit undoPatapsco913 (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users167,146 edits →Demographics: ce 
(277 intermediate revisions by 83 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{about|the city in the U.S. state of Georgia|the adjacent mountain of the same name|Stone Mountain}} {{About|the city in the U.S. state of Georgia|the adjacent mountain and park of the same name|Stone Mountain}}
{{Use American English|date = December 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement {{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info ----------------> <!-- Basic info ---------------->
|official_name = Stone Mountain, Georgia |official_name = Stone Mountain, Georgia
|nickname = |nickname =
|settlement_type = ] |settlement_type = City
|motto = "A City of Vision"<ref name="smcorg">{{cite web|url=http://www.stonemountaincity.org/|title=City of Stone Mountain Georgia|accessdate=September 4, 2012}}</ref> |motto = "A City of Vision"<ref name="smcorg">{{cite web |title=City of Stone Mountain Georgia |url=http://www.stonemountaincity.org/ |access-date=January 4, 2022}}</ref>
<!-- images and maps -----------> <!-- images and maps ----------->
|image_skyline = Stone Mountain, Georgia downtown.JPG |image_skyline = Stone Mountain, Georgia downtown.JPG
|imagesize = |imagesize =
|image_caption = Main Street in Stone Mountain Village |image_caption = Main Street in Stone Mountain Village
|image_flag = |image_flag = Flag of Stone Mountain, Georgia.png
|flag_size = |flag_size =
|image_seal = Stone Mountain, Georgia seal.JPG |image_seal = Seal of Stone Mountain, Georgia.png
|seal_size = |seal_size =
|image_shield = |image_shield =
Line 31: Line 33:
|dot_y = |dot_y =
|pushpin_map = Metro Atlanta |pushpin_map = Metro Atlanta
|pushpin_label = Stone Mountain |pushpin_label = Stone Mountain
|pushpin_label_position = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none --> |pushpin_label_position = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
|pushpin_map_caption = Location of Stone Mountain in ] |pushpin_map_caption = Location of Stone Mountain in ]
|pushpin_mapsize = <!-- Location ------------------> |pushpin_mapsize = <!-- Location ------------------>
|subdivision_type = ] |subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = United States |subdivision_name = United States
|subdivision_type1 = ] |subdivision_type1 = ]
Line 48: Line 50:
|government_type = |government_type =
|leader_title = ] |leader_title = ]
|leader_name = ]<ref name="smcorg"/> |leader_name = Dr. Beverly Jones<ref name="smcorg"/>
|leader_title1 = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager --> |leader_title1 = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager -->
|leader_name1 = |leader_name1 =
Line 57: Line 59:
|leader_title4 = |leader_title4 =
|leader_name4 = |leader_name4 =
|established_title = Settled |established_title = Established
|established_date = as New Gibraltar ] 1839 |established_date = as New Gibraltar {{circa|1839}}
|established_title2 = Incorporated |established_title2 = Renamed
|established_date2 = as Stone Mountain ] 1847 |established_date2 = as Stone Mountain c. 1847
|established_title3 = <!-- Incorporated (city) --> |established_title3 = <!-- Incorporated (city) -->
|established_date3 = |established_date3 =
|area_magnitude = |area_magnitude =
|unit_pref = Imperial |unit_pref = Imperial
|area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_13.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 18, 2021}}</ref>
|area_footnotes =
|area_total_km2 = 4.2 |area_total_km2 = 4.29
|area_land_km2 = 4.2 |area_land_km2 = 4.28
|area_water_km2 = 0 |area_water_km2 = 0.01
|area_total_sq_mi = 1.64 |area_total_sq_mi = 1.66
|area_land_sq_mi = 1.64 |area_land_sq_mi = 1.65
|area_water_sq_mi = 0 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.00
|area_water_percent = |area_water_percent =
|area_urban_km2 = |area_urban_km2 =
Line 80: Line 82:
|area_blank1_km2 = |area_blank1_km2 =
|area_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- Population -----------------------> |area_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- Population ----------------------->
|population_as_of = ] |population_as_of = ]
|population_footnotes = |population_footnotes =
|population_note = |population_note =
|population_total = 5802 |population_total = 6703
|population_density_km2 = auto |population_density_km2 = 1567.38
|population_density_sq_mi = auto |population_density_sq_mi = 4059.96
|population_metro = |population_metro =
|population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_km2 =
Line 97: Line 99:
|population_density_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- General information ---------------> |population_density_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- General information --------------->
|timezone = ] |timezone = ]
|utc_offset = -5 |utc_offset = −5
|timezone_DST = EDT |timezone_DST = EDT
|utc_offset_DST = -4 |utc_offset_DST = −4
|coordinates = {{coord|33|48|19|N|84|10|17|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}} |coordinates = {{Coord|33|48|29|N|84|10|13|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}<ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> tags--> |elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_m = 318 |elevation_m =
|elevation_ft = 1043 |elevation_ft = 1043
<!-- Area/postal codes & others --------> <!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
|postal_code_type = |postal_code_type = ]s
|postal_code = |postal_code = 30083, 30086–30088
|area_code = ] |area_code = ]
|blank_name = ] |blank_name = ]
|blank_info = 13-73816<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder2.census.gov|publisher=]|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=American FactFinder}}</ref> |blank_info = 13-73816<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
|blank1_name = ] feature ID |blank1_name = ] feature ID
|blank1_info = 0326087<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref> |blank1_info = 0326087<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|326087}}</ref>
|website = |website = {{URL|http://stonemountaincity.org}}
|footnotes = |footnotes =
|pop_est_as_of= 2016 |pop_est_as_of =
|population_est =
|pop_est_footnotes= <ref name="USCensusEst2016"/>
|pop_est_footnotes =
|population_est= 6328
}} }}

'''Stone Mountain''' is a city in ], United States. The population was 5,802 at the 2010 census.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder2.census.gov| title=Race, Hispanic or Latino, Age, and Housing Occupancy: 2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File (QT-PL), Stone Mountain city, Georgia| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American FactFinder 2| accessdate=October 28, 2011}}</ref> Stone Mountain is located in the eastern part of DeKalb County and is a suburb of ] and encompasses roughly 1.7 square miles. It lies near and touches the western base of the geological formation ]. Residents often refer to the city as Stone Mountain Village to distinguish it from the larger unincorporated area traditionally considered "Stone Mountain."
'''Stone Mountain''' is a city in ], United States. The population was 6,703 according in 2020. Stone Mountain is in the eastern part of DeKalb County and is a suburb of ] that encompasses nearly 1.7 square miles. It lies near and touches the western base of the geological formation ]. Locals often call the city "Stone Mountain Village" to distinguish it from the larger unincorporated area traditionally considered Stone Mountain and ].


==History== ==History==
] ]
In 1822, the area that now makes up the city of Stone Mountain was made a part of the newly formed DeKalb County. A post office was created in 1834 on the old Augusta Road, and Andrew Johnson built a hotel along the road in 1836. At around the same time, Aaron Cloud built an observation tower at the summit of the mountain. Visitors to the mountain would travel to the area by rail and road, and then hike up the {{convert|1.1|mi|adj=on}} mountaintop trail to the top, where Cloud also had a restaurant and club.


Stone Mountain's history traces back to before the time of European invasion and settlement, with local burial mounds dating back hundreds of years built by the ancestors of the historical Muskogee Creek nation who first met the settlers in the early colonial period. <ref name=" About North GA ">{{cite web
By 1839, a general store was added, and a village was established under the name New Gibraltar. The name was officially changed to Stone Mountain by the Georgia legislature in 1847. The town is named for nearby ]. During the ], Stone Mountain village was destroyed by men under the command of General ] on July 19, 1864.
|url=http://www.aboutnorthgeorgia.com/ang/Stone_Mountain
|title=Stone Mountain
|publisher=]
|access-date=November 26, 2018
|archive-date=October 19, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019121847/http://www.aboutnorthgeorgia.com/ang/Stone_Mountain
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>


The ] in 1821 opened a large swath of Georgia for settlement by non-Native Americans on former Creek Indian land, including present-day Stone Mountain Village. In 1822, the area that now makes up the city was made a part of the newly formed ].
After the Civil War ended, housing in the area was rebuilt as stone was again needed for construction across the nation. A significant portion of the quarry's work force consisted of African-Americans. However, they were generally excluded from areas where white families lived, so a shantytown, "Shermantown", came into being at the southeast side of the village.
Shermantown was one of several such ramshackle enclaves which came into being after the Civil War; its title was a dour recognition of the destruction which Union General William T. Sherman had caused in ]. Its newly freed African-Americans moved in search of work but were denied places to live in existing communities due to segregation. By the twentieth century, much of Shermantown had been replaced, becoming integrated into the growing Stone Mountain community. By 2010 the few visible remains include Sherman Town Park at the southeast side of town.<ref>The park's entrance is at 33.800975/-84.164071 degrees lat/long.</ref><ref> - Smithsonian Magazine, 4 May 2018</ref>


==Government== ===Settlement===
By the 1820s, Rock Mountain, as it was then called, was "a major travel center", with an inn for travelers. A stagecoach line linking the village with Georgia's capital, ], began in 1825. Another stage line ran to ] and ]. In 1828 another stage line began trips to ], and a fourth connected the community with ].<ref name=Freeman>{{cite book
The city government consists of a mayor and six council members who are elected at-large, and serve four-year terms. Elections are staggered every two years. Daily operations of the city are managed by an appointed city manager. Services provided by the city include police, public works, code enforcement, and municipal court.
|title=Carved in Stone. The History of Stone Mountain
|first=David B.
|last=Freeman
|publisher=]
|year=1997
|isbn=0865545472}}</ref>{{rp|27}} "Hundreds of people visited Rock Mountain in the summer and...a house of entertainment was nearby."<ref name=Freeman/>{{rp|28}} Rail service did not reach the town, by then New Gibraltar, until 1845.<ref name=Freeman/>{{rp|33}}


A post office was created in 1834 on the old Augusta Road, and Andrew Johnson, called the founder of New Gibraltar and first mayor,<ref name="Patch">{{cite web|url= https://patch.com/georgia/stonemountain/a-look-at-stone-mountains-rich-history|last=Delaney|first=Kim |publisher=Patch Media|date=Feb 17, 2011|access-date=January 7, 2019|title=A Look at Stone Mountain's Rich History }}</ref> around whose house the city limits were drawn,<ref name=Freeman/>{{rp|32}} built a hotel along the road in 1836. ("An 1843 amendment to the act of incorporation extended the town limits to {{convert|600|yards}} in every direction from the house of Andrew Johnson."<ref name=Freeman/>{{rp|31}}) About 1839 Aaron Cloud, who also had a hotel,<ref name=Freeman/>{{rp|33}} built a wooden observation tower, octagonal like a lighthouse and {{convert|150|ft}} high, along with a restaurant and club, at the mountain's summit. A storm destroyed the tower in 1849; in 1851, Thomas Henry built a smaller, {{convert|80|ft}} tower, with telescopes so it could serve as an ].<ref name=Freeman/>{{rp|29}} Visitors to the mountain traveled by rail and road, then hiked up the {{convert|1.3|mi|adj=on}} mountaintop trail to the top. By 1850, Stone Mountain had become a popular destination for Atlanta urbanites who endured the four-hour round trip by rail just to experience its natural beauty, lodging, and attractions.<ref name="gaencyclopedia">{{cite encyclopedia
The city also has standing commissions for historic preservation, downtown development, and planning & zoning. The city holds a "Certified City of Ethics" designation from the Georgia Municipal Association.
|url=http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/geography-environment/stone-mountain
|contribution=Stone Mountain
|title=New Georgia Encyclopedia
|first=Bruce E.
|last=Stewart
|publisher=Georgia Humanities
|year=2004}}</ref><ref name=" About North GA " />


==Geography== ===Industry===
Granite quarrying at the mountain was the area's lifeblood for decades, employing many thousands. The excellent grade of building stone from the mountain was used in many notable structures, including the locks of the ], the roof of the bullion depository at ], Philadelphia's Liberty National Building, and the steps in the east wing of the ].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title= Big market supplied by local granite|work=The DeKalb New Era |location=Decatur, GA |date= December 21, 1939 }}</ref>
Stone Mountain is located at {{Coord|33|48|19|N|84|10|17|W|type:city}} (33.805255, -84.171413).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html|publisher=]|accessdate=23 April 2011|date=12 February 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>


In August 1846, New Gibraltar hosted Georgia's first state fair, then known as the Agriculture Fair and Internal Improvement Jubilee. The fair had just one exhibit—three horses and two cows, both belonging to the event's organizer, John Graves. The next year, the village again hosted the event, which featured caskets, marble, embroidery, brooms, bedspreads, vegetables, blooded stock, wheat, farm tools, and a magnetic telegraph. Stone Mountain hosted the event until 1850, when it moved to Macon.<ref name="Patch" />
According to the ], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.64|sqmi}}, of which 0.62% is water.
]


===American Civil War===
While Stone Mountain Village itself is in DeKalb County, the postal regions designated as Stone Mountain include large swaths of DeKalb and Gwinnett Counties.
Though DeKalb County voted against ], it was not spared the devastation of the ]. Stone Mountain Village went unscathed until the ],<ref name="SMHS"/> when it was destroyed by men under the command of General ] on July 19, 1864. Several antebellum homes were spared as they were used as hospitals. The railroad depot's roof burned, but the building stood, owing to its 2-foot-thick granite walls.<ref name=SMV150>{{cite book|title=Civil War Sesquicentennial 1861-1865 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2011 |publisher=City of Stone Mountain}}</ref>

From the village's destruction in July 1864 until November, Union forces scavenged Stone Mountain and the surrounding area, taking corn, wheat, cotton, cattle, and other goods. On November 15, 1864, between 12,000 and 15,000 Union troops marched through Stone Mountain and further destroyed the rail lines. The rails were rendered useless by heating them over burning railroad ties, then twisting them around trees. The term ] was coined for this form of destruction.<ref name=SMV150 />

===Birth of Shermantown===
]

After the Civil War ended, housing in the area was rebuilt as Stone Mountain granite was again in demand for construction across the nation. A significant portion of the quarry's work force were African Americans, but they were generally excluded from areas where white families lived, so a shantytown, Shermantown, came into being at the southeast side of the village; its name was a reference to Union General ].

In 1868, Reverend R. M. Burson organized Bethsaida Baptist Church to serve Shermantown. A church building was then built under Reverend F. M. Simons at what is now 853 Fourth Street. Simons was among a delegation of southern African American pastors to meet with Sherman in Washington, D.C. after the war to discuss the treatment of the freedmen. Bethsaida Baptist is still an active part of the Stone Mountain Village.<ref name=SMV150 />

By the 20th century, much of Shermantown's original structures had been replaced. Bethsaida's original wooden structure was replaced by stone in 1920. Though Shermantown has mostly integrated into the growing Stone Mountain Village, it retains its own distinct community.

===Rebirth of the Ku Klux Klan===
The year 1915 was when the ], a white supremacist organization, was reborn. Members assembled at Stone Mountain with permission of quarry owner ], an active member. Their activities, including annual ]s, continued for over 40 years, but Stone Mountain's association with the Klan began to erode when the State of Georgia began to acquire the mountain and surrounding property in 1958. In 1960, ] condemned the property the state had purchased in order to void the perpetual easements Venable had granted the Klan. This ended any official link between Stone Mountain and the Klan.<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.wabe.org/stone-mountain-and-rebirth-kkk-one-century-ago/
|publisher=WABE
|access-date=November 18, 2018
|date=November 25, 2015
|title=Stone Mountain and the Rebirth of the KKK, One Century Ago
|first=Stephannie
|last=Stokes}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/shadow-stone-mountain-180968956/
|title=In the Shadow of Stone Mountain
|first=Benjamin
|last=Powers
|magazine=]
|date=May 4, 2018}}</ref><ref name="ngeorgia.com">{{cite web
|url=http://ngeorgia.com/ang/Stone_Mountain_Carving
|first=Randy
|last=Golden
|title=Stone Mountain Carving
|publisher=]
|access-date=November 22, 2018
|archive-date=January 26, 2013
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126010818/http://ngeorgia.com/ang/Stone_Mountain_Carving
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>

===Civil rights movement===
]

During the ]'s ], on August 28, 1963, ] referred to Stone Mountain in his iconic "]" speech when he proclaimed, "let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!"<ref>{{cite web|last=King|first=Martin Luther Jr. |author-link=Martin Luther King Jr. |title=I have a Dream|url=http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/mlk01.asp|publisher=Lillian Goldman Law Library|access-date=October 8, 2011|date=August 28, 1963|quote=Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!}}</ref> Charles Burris, the Village's first African-American mayor, dedicated the Freedom Bell on Main Street in King's honor on February 26, 2000. At an annual ceremony held on ], the bell is rung to commemorate King's legacy.

===Many names===
The mountain has been known by countless names throughout the centuries. It was called Crystal Mountain by 16th-century Spanish explorer ] when he visited in 1567. The ] who inhabited the area at that time used a name translating to "Lone Mountain". Around the turn of the 19th century, settlers called it Rock Mountain or Rock Fort Mountain.<ref name=" About North GA " /> By the end of the 1830s, Stone Mountain had become the generally accepted name. Like the mountain, the village formed at its base was initially known as Rock Mountain but was incorporated as New Gibraltar in 1839 by an act of the General Assembly. In 1847 the Georgia legislature changed the name to Stone Mountain.<ref name="SMHS">{{cite web|url= https://stonemountainhistoricsociety.org/about-2/|publisher=Stone Mountain Historical Society|access-date=November 18, 2018|date=2014|title=About our Village}}</ref>

===Cemetery===
The Stone Mountain Cemetery, established around 1850, is a microcosm of the village's past. It is the final resting place for roughly 200 unknown Confederate soldiers. 71 known Confederate soldiers are buried there, along with James Sprayberry, a Union soldier. Another notable site is the grave of George Pressley Trout, who is buried there with his wife and his horse.<ref name="Patch" /> James B. Rivers, the village's first African American police chief, is at rest there on a hillside facing the mountain. The cemetery is still in use.

==Geography==
Stone Mountain is at the western base of the quartz monzonite dome monadnock of the same name. While Stone Mountain ] is completely within DeKalb County, the postal regions designated and traditionally considered as Stone Mountain include portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett Counties.

According to the ],<ref name=" StateInfo ">{{cite web|url=https://georgia.gov/cities-counties/stone-mountain|publisher=State of Georgia|access-date=November 28, 2018|title=Stone Mountain|archive-date=November 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129142049/https://georgia.gov/cities-counties/stone-mountain|url-status=dead}}</ref> the city has an area of {{convert|1.7|sqmi}}, of which 0.62% is water.
{{Further|Wade-Walker Park}}


==Demographics== ==Demographics==
Line 158: Line 236:
|2000= 7145 |2000= 7145
|2010= 5802 |2010= 5802
|2020= 6703
|estyear=2016
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decade|publisher=]|access-date=}}</ref><br> 1850-1870<ref name=1870CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 1870 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties |publisher=]|date= 1870|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-13.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=|page=}}</ref> 1870-1880<ref name=1880CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 1880 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties |publisher=]|date= 1880|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1880/vol-01-population/1880_v1-09.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=|page=}}</ref><br> 1890-1910<ref name=1910CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 1910 Census of Population - Georgia |publisher=]|date= 1910|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ga.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=|page=}}</ref> 1920-1930<ref name=1930CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 1930 Census of Population - Georgia |publisher=]|date= 1930|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/03815512v1ch04.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=|pages=251–256}}</ref><br> 1940<ref name=1940CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 1940 Census of Population - Georgia |publisher=]|date= 1940|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch04.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref> 1950<ref name=1950CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 1950 Census of Population - Georgia |publisher=]|date= 1950|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-2/37779083v2p11ch2.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref> 1960<ref name=1960CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 1960 Census of Population - Population of County Subdivisions - Georgia |publisher=]|date= 1960|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-12-c.pdf|accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref><br> 1970<ref name=1970CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 1970 Census of Population - Population of County Subdivisions - Georgia |publisher=]|date= 1970|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ga-01.pdf|accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref> 1980<ref name=1980CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia |publisher=]|date= 1980|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_gaABC-01.pdf|accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref> 1990<ref name=1990CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 1990 Census of Population - Summary Social, Economic, and Housing Characteristics - Georgia |publisher=]|date= 1990|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cph-5/cph-5-12.pdf|accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref><br> 2000<ref name=2000CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 2000 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia |publisher=]|date= 2000|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-12.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 2010 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia |publisher=]|date= 2010|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-12.pdf|accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref>
|estimate=6328
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2016">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2016.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|accessdate=June 9, 2017}}</ref>
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}} }}


{| class="wikitable"
As of the ]<ref name="GR2"/> of 2010, there were 5,802 people, 2,587 households, and 1,386 families residing in the city. The ] was 3,500 people per square mile (1,400/km²). There were 2,587 housing units at an average density of 1,577 per square mile (616/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.2% ], 16.8% ], 0.4% ], 3.3% ], 0.2% ], 2.5% from ], and 1.6% from two or more races. ] or ] of any race were 5.3% of the population.
|+Stone Mountain racial composition as of 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US1373816&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-13|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|] (non-Hispanic)
|847
|12.64%
|-
|] (non-Hispanic)
|4,847
|72.31%
|-
|]
|22
|0.33%
|-
|]
|206
|3.07%
|-
|]
|2
|0.03%
|-
|]
|251
|3.74%
|-
|] or ]
|528
|7.88%
|}
As of the ], there were 6,703 people, 2,351 households, and 1,578 families residing in the city.


==Government==
There were 2,587 households out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.2% were ] living together, 27.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.33.
Stone Mountain is governed by a ]. Citizens elect a mayor and six council members who are all elected ]. The terms of office are four years, with elections staggered every two years. Daily city operations are managed by an appointed professional city manager. Services provided by the city include police, public works, code enforcement, and municipal court.

The city also has standing commissions for historic preservation, downtown development, and planning & zoning. The city holds a ''City of Ethics'' designation from the Georgia Municipal Association<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.gmanet.com/Cities-of-Ethics.aspx|publisher=Georgia Municipal Association|access-date=November 22, 2018|title= Cities of Ethics}}</ref> and is a member of Main Street America.


==Arts, culture and leisure==
In the city, the population was spread out with 28.8% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 7.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 66.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.7 males age 18 and over.
* ART Station Contemporary Arts Center and Theatre Company, a multi-disciplinary arts center, is in the Trolley Car Barn (5384 Manor Drive), built by the ] in 1913. ART Station hosts shows and gallery events throughout the year, including the Tour of Southern Ghosts each year in October.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://artstation.org/about-us/|publisher=]|access-date=November 18, 2018|date=2018|title=About Us}}</ref>
* Wells-Brown House (1036 Ridge Avenue) is an elegant early 1870s neoclassical residence that is home of the Stone Mountain Historical Society. The Wells-Brown House houses a growing artifact collection and research library.
* Cart-Friendly Community: Stone Mountain is one of a handful of Georgia communities that permit golf carts on city streets with a city-issued inspection permit. Carts are also permitted within adjacent Stone Mountain Park, giving the community an added leisure activity.
* Museum of Miniature Chairs (994 Main Street): a three-room gallery and shop featuring over 3000 miniature chairs.
* ]: the Atlanta Regional Trail of the PATH off-road trails, which serves walkers, runners, cyclists, and skaters, enters the village on East Ponce de Leon Avenue, goes south on Main Street, and continues into Stone Mountain Park via a trail built atop the old railroad spur that once connected the CSX tracks to the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pathfoundation.org/trails|publisher=Path Foundation|access-date=November 25, 2018|title=PATH Trails|archive-date=November 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126052516/https://pathfoundation.org/trails|url-status=dead}}</ref>


===In film===
==Arts, Culture, & Leisure==
]
* ART Station Contemporary Arts Center and Theatre Company, a multi-disciplinary arts center, is located in the historic Trolley Car Barn built by the Georgia Railway and Power Company in 1913. ART Station hosts shows and gallery events throughout the year, including the infamous Tour of Southern Ghosts each year in October. (5384 Manor Drive)


The Stone Mountain area has been a beneficiary of Georgia's flourishing ]. Film crews and production personnel have become common sights in Stone Mountain Village. Due to the demand for filming in the historic downtown area, requests for filming in the village are handled by the downtown development authority.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.stonemountaincity.org/departments/economic_development_downtown_development_authority/index.php|publisher=]|access-date=November 22, 2018|date=2018|title=Economic Development-Downtown Development Authority}}</ref> The proceeds help fund festivals and other public events for the community.
* Wells-Brown House is an elegant early 1870s Neoclassical residence that is home of the Stone Mountain Historical Society. The Wells-Brown House now houses our growing artifact collection and research library. (1036 Ridge Avenue)


Most of the shops and buildings on Main Street were built right after the turn of the 20th century and maintain many of the original facades. This has provided an appropriate backdrop for a number of filming projects, ranging from period pieces to those requiring a quaint village setting.
* Cart-Friendly Community - Stone Mountain is one of a handful of Georgia communities that permit golf carts on city streets with a City-issued inspection permit. Cart are also permitted within adjacent Stone Mountain Park, giving the community an added leisure activity.


Parts of motion pictures like '']'' (2011) and '']'' (2014) were filmed in the village. The growing number of television show credits include '']'', '']'', '']'', and the ] science fiction/horror series '']''.
* Museum of Miniature Chairs - a three-room gallery and shop featuring over 3000 miniature chairs. (994 Main Street)


==Organizations== ==Organizations==
Stone Mountain Village is home to a number of community, civic, and outreach organizations: Stone Mountain Village is home to a number of community, civic, and outreach organizations:

* Stone Mountain Historical Society, 1036 Ridge Avenue * Stone Mountain Historical Society, 1036 Ridge Avenue
* GFWC Stone Mountain Woman's Club, 5513 East Mountain Street * GFWC Stone Mountain Woman's Club, 5513 East Mountain Street
Line 189: Line 308:


==Education== ==Education==
]]] ] is the zoned public high school with Stone Mountain in its attendance boundary; it is not in the city limits of Stone Mountain]]
The citizens of Stone Mountain,<ref>"." City of Stone Mountain. Retrieved on June 1, 2017.</ref> are served by the ]. Stone Mountain Elementary School and Champion Theme Middle School are within the city limits.


The children of Stone Mountain are served by the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st13_ga/schooldistrict_maps/c13089_dekalb/DC20SD_C13089.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: DeKalb County, GA|publisher=]|accessdate=2023-02-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://stonemountaincity.org/document_center/Zoning_Map.pdf|title=Zoning Map|publisher=Stone Mountain|accessdate=2023-02-18}} - Compare to county school zoning maps.</ref> Stone Mountain Elementary School and Champion Theme Middle School are within the city limits.
Most of city limits of Stone Mountain is assigned to Stone Mountain Elementary School while sections are zoned to Stone Mill and Rockbridge elementaries.<ref>"." ]. Retrieved on June 1, 2017.</ref> All residents of the city limits are assigned to Stone Mountain Middle School,<ref>"." ]. Retrieved on June 1, 2017.</ref> and ].<ref>"." ]. Retrieved on June 1, 2017.</ref>


Most residents in the city limits are zoned to Stone Mountain Elementary School. Some areas are zoned to Rockbridge Elementary School, outside of the city limits.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/documents/planning/maps/es-attendance-areas.pdf|title=DeKalb County School District Elementary School Attendance Zones 2018-2019 School Year|publisher=]|accessdate=2023-02-18}}</ref> All residents of Stone Mountain are zoned to: Stone Mountain Middle School,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/documents/planning/maps/ms-attendance-areas.pdf|title=DeKalb County School District Middle School Attendance Zones 2018-2019 School Year|publisher=]|accessdate=2023-02-18}}</ref> and ];<ref>"." ]. Retrieved on June 1, 2017.</ref> the middle school and the high school are outside the city limits.
Georgia Military College (GMC) has a satellite campus in Stone Mountain Village. (5325 Manor Drive)


] (GMC) has a satellite campus in Stone Mountain Village at 5325 Manor Drive.
] operates the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library (Leon Street).<ref name="Loc">"{{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}." ]. Retrieved on February 24, 2010.</ref>


] operates the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library (952 Leon Street).<ref>{{cite web|url= https://dekalblibrary.org/branches/ston|publisher=]|access-date=November 22, 2018|title= Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library }}</ref>
==Notable people==<!--consensus reached to standardize this heading per WP:WikiProject Cities/US Guideline -->

{{BLP sources section|date=January 2015}}
==Notable people==
<!-- NOTICE * * * NOTICE * * * NOTICE * * * * * * * * * * * *NOTICE * * * NOTICE * * * NOTICE• Only people who already have a Misplaced Pages article may appear here. This establishes notability.
<!--Consensus reached to standardize this heading per WP:WikiProject Cities/US Guideline. -->
• The article must mention how they are associated with the community, whether born, raised, or residing.
{{Div col|colwidth=40em}}
• The fact of their association should have a reliable source cited.
* ], YouTube personality, musician, songwriter, music producer and educator, resides and runs Black Dog Sound Studios in Stone Mountain.
• Alphabetical by last name please
* ], late AWA professional wrestler, nicknamed the "Mountain from Stone Mountain"
• All others will be deleted without further explanation
* ], NBA basketball player for the ], grew up in Stone Mountain
END OF NOTICE * * * * * * * * * * * * END OF NOTICE * * * * * * * * * * * *END OF NOTICE -->
*] (born 1997), basketball player in the ]
*], 2009 NCAA Track and Field Champion and International Medalist <ref></ref>
* ], professional baseball player for the ] of the ], attended high school in Stone Mountain
* ], former AWA professional wrestler
* ], racing driver, born in Stone Mountain
*], professional basketball player for ] of the ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/brookma01.html|title=Emporio A Milano}}</ref>
*], professional baseball player for the ] * ], retired NFL football player from Stone Mountain
* ], drag queen, lived in Stone Mountain
*], professional basketball player for the ]
*], professional football player for the ] * ], professional ] wrestler billed as from Stone Mountain
* ], actress; grew up in Stone Mountain
*], actress; raised in Stone Mountain<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ovguide.com/noureen-dewulf-9202a8c04000641f80000000056a1c59#|title=NOUREEN DEWULF VIDEO|publisher=Online Video Guide|accessdate=September 4, 2012|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502224839/http://www.ovguide.com/noureen-dewulf-9202a8c04000641f80000000056a1c59|archivedate=May 2, 2012|df=}}</ref>
* ], American hip hop group
*], actor, writer, comedian, and rapper; raised in Stone Mountain<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2255973/|title=Donald Glover|publisher=IMDb.com|accessdate=September 4, 2012}}</ref>
* ], actor, writer, comedian, and rapper; grew up in Stone Mountain
*], professional rapper/musician
*], author and publisher; resides in Stone Mountain<ref>{{cite web|url=http://takimag.com/contributor/JimGoad/205#axzz1ZmXHuGzW|title=Jim Goad|year=2011|publisher=]|accessdate=5 September 2012}}</ref> * ], author and publisher; resides in Stone Mountain
*], professional poker player * ], professional poker player, grew up in Stone Mountain
*], professional basketball player for ] of the ] and the ] * ], professional basketball player for the ] of the ] (CBA).
* ], former sheriff of Stone Mountain who has been implicated in the murders of two women in ], ] in 1992
*], professional football player for the ]
*], professional baseball player for ] and ] and a star for the ] ] * ], professional football player for the ], briefly attended high school in Stone Mountain
* ], professional baseball player for ] and ] and a star for the ] ], born in Stone Mountain
*], professional basketball player for the ]
* ], professional basketball player for ] of the ], originally from Stone Mountain
*], retired professional baseball player
*], professional football player for the ] * ], retired professional baseball player, attended high school in Stone Mountain
*], deceased member of R&B group ]; resided in Stone Mountain during her lifetime * ], NFL football player for the ], grew up in Stone Mountain
* ], better known by her professional moniker "Bambi", ], born in Stone Mountain
*], professional wrestler billed as from Stone Mountain, currently performing in ] as Apollo Crews
*], fictional character (in the television series '']'') hails from Stone Mountain and frequently refers to it; ] is actually from nearby ] * ], fictional character in the television series '']'', hails from Stone Mountain and frequently refers to it; the actor ] is actually from nearby ]
*], professional baseball player for the ] * ], professional baseball player for the ], attended school in Stone Mountain
* ], rapper and songwriter from Stone Mountain
*], author, pastor<ref>{{cite web|last=Staff|title=New Orleans Seminary awards degrees to nine graduates with Georgia ties|url=http://www.christianindex.org/984.article|publisher=The Christian Index|accessdate=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://archive.is/20120722085823/http://www.christianindex.org/984.article|archive-date=22 July 2012|dead-url=yes|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* ], singer, songwriter, and rapper; grew up in Stone Mountain
*], hip-hop artist signed with ]
*], pro wrestler, was billed "From Stone Mountain Georgia" * ], pro wrestler, is billed from Stone Mountain
*], American figurative painter, worked with Odd Nerdrum for a time, currently working from New York and Paris * ], figurative painter and writer, is from Stone Mountain
*], rapper, and creator of "Watch me whip/nae nae" * ], rapper, singer, and songwriter, native of Stone Mountain
*], former member of the bands ] and ]; resides in Stone Mountain * ], Vietnam War veteran known for his role in saving many civilian lives in the ], grew up in Stone Mountain
*], member of R&B group ]; resides in Stone Mountain * ], musician, grew up in Stone Mountain
* ], late navigator of the '']'' when it dropped the first atomic bomb on ], resided in Stone Mountain
*], Vietnam War veteran known for his role in saving many civilian lives in the ]
* ], professional baseball player for the ]
*], navigator of the ] when it dropped the first atomic bomb on ]
* ], painter, lived in Stone Mountain as a child
*], Major League Soccer player
* ], Major League Soccer player, from Stone Mountain
* ], ] ], born and raised in Stone Mountain
{{Div col end}}


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
<!-- Consensus reached to standardize this heading per WP:WikiProject Cities/US Guideline. -->
* {{Cite book |last=Coletti |first=George D. N. |year=2012 |title=Stone Mountain: The Granite Sentinel |edition=3rd |location=Stone Mountain, Ga. |publisher=Self published |isbn=9780976489566 |oclc=658219359}}
* {{Cite book |last=Coletti |first=George D. N. |year=2015 |title=The Red Spoke |publisher=Dragonfly Creek Books |isbn=9780989000246 |oclc=1147821382}}
* {{Cite book |author=Stone Mountain Historical Society |year=2014 |title=Stone Mountain |series=Images of America |location= |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=978-1531668686 |oclc=}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons category|Stone Mountain, Georgia}} <!-- for current and future use if material is uploaded --> {{Commons category|Stone Mountain, Georgia}}
{{Wikivoyage|Stone Mountain}}
{{Portal|Atlanta}}
*
*{{wikivoyage-inline|Stone Mountain}}
* *
* *
* * in the '']''
* Golden Ink (1994–2003). ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070305130052/http://ngeorgia.com/mountains/stonemountain.html |date=March 5, 2007 }})
*
* * at City-Data.com
*Golden Ink (1994–2003).
* at City-Data.com

<br/><!--this break is to put visual space between the last information and the following template if needed-->


{{DeKalb County, Georgia}} {{DeKalb County, Georgia}}
{{Authority control}}


]
] ]
]
] ]
]
]

Latest revision as of 16:46, 29 December 2024

This article is about the city in the U.S. state of Georgia. For the adjacent mountain and park of the same name, see Stone Mountain.

City in Georgia, United States
Stone Mountain, Georgia
City
Main Street in Stone Mountain VillageMain Street in Stone Mountain Village
Flag of Stone Mountain, GeorgiaFlagOfficial seal of Stone Mountain, GeorgiaSeal
Motto: "A City of Vision"
Location in DeKalb County and the state of GeorgiaLocation in DeKalb County and the state of Georgia
Stone Mountain is located in Metro AtlantaStone MountainStone MountainLocation of Stone Mountain in Metro Atlanta
Coordinates: 33°48′29″N 84°10′13″W / 33.80806°N 84.17028°W / 33.80806; -84.17028
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia
CountyDeKalb
Establishedas New Gibraltar c. 1839
Renamedas Stone Mountain c. 1847
Government
 • MayorDr. Beverly Jones
Area
 • Total1.66 sq mi (4.29 km)
 • Land1.65 sq mi (4.28 km)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.01 km)
Elevation1,043 ft (318 m)
Population
 • Total6,703
 • Density4,059.96/sq mi (1,567.38/km)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes30083, 30086–30088
Area code770
FIPS code13-73816
GNIS feature ID0326087
Websitestonemountaincity.org

Stone Mountain is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The population was 6,703 according in 2020. Stone Mountain is in the eastern part of DeKalb County and is a suburb of Atlanta that encompasses nearly 1.7 square miles. It lies near and touches the western base of the geological formation of the same name. Locals often call the city "Stone Mountain Village" to distinguish it from the larger unincorporated area traditionally considered Stone Mountain and Stone Mountain Park.

History

Railroad depot

Stone Mountain's history traces back to before the time of European invasion and settlement, with local burial mounds dating back hundreds of years built by the ancestors of the historical Muskogee Creek nation who first met the settlers in the early colonial period.

The Treaty of Indian Springs in 1821 opened a large swath of Georgia for settlement by non-Native Americans on former Creek Indian land, including present-day Stone Mountain Village. In 1822, the area that now makes up the city was made a part of the newly formed DeKalb County.

Settlement

By the 1820s, Rock Mountain, as it was then called, was "a major travel center", with an inn for travelers. A stagecoach line linking the village with Georgia's capital, Milledgeville, began in 1825. Another stage line ran to Winder and Athens. In 1828 another stage line began trips to Dahlonega, and a fourth connected the community with Macon. "Hundreds of people visited Rock Mountain in the summer and...a house of entertainment was nearby." Rail service did not reach the town, by then New Gibraltar, until 1845.

A post office was created in 1834 on the old Augusta Road, and Andrew Johnson, called the founder of New Gibraltar and first mayor, around whose house the city limits were drawn, built a hotel along the road in 1836. ("An 1843 amendment to the act of incorporation extended the town limits to 600 yards (550 m) in every direction from the house of Andrew Johnson.") About 1839 Aaron Cloud, who also had a hotel, built a wooden observation tower, octagonal like a lighthouse and 150 feet (46 m) high, along with a restaurant and club, at the mountain's summit. A storm destroyed the tower in 1849; in 1851, Thomas Henry built a smaller, 80 feet (24 m) tower, with telescopes so it could serve as an observatory. Visitors to the mountain traveled by rail and road, then hiked up the 1.3-mile (2.1 km) mountaintop trail to the top. By 1850, Stone Mountain had become a popular destination for Atlanta urbanites who endured the four-hour round trip by rail just to experience its natural beauty, lodging, and attractions.

Industry

Granite quarrying at the mountain was the area's lifeblood for decades, employing many thousands. The excellent grade of building stone from the mountain was used in many notable structures, including the locks of the Panama Canal, the roof of the bullion depository at Fort Knox, Philadelphia's Liberty National Building, and the steps in the east wing of the U.S. Capitol.

In August 1846, New Gibraltar hosted Georgia's first state fair, then known as the Agriculture Fair and Internal Improvement Jubilee. The fair had just one exhibit—three horses and two cows, both belonging to the event's organizer, John Graves. The next year, the village again hosted the event, which featured caskets, marble, embroidery, brooms, bedspreads, vegetables, blooded stock, wheat, farm tools, and a magnetic telegraph. Stone Mountain hosted the event until 1850, when it moved to Macon.

Stone Mountain in 1908

American Civil War

Though DeKalb County voted against secession from the United States, it was not spared the devastation of the Civil War. Stone Mountain Village went unscathed until the Battle of Atlanta, when it was destroyed by men under the command of General James B. McPherson on July 19, 1864. Several antebellum homes were spared as they were used as hospitals. The railroad depot's roof burned, but the building stood, owing to its 2-foot-thick granite walls.

From the village's destruction in July 1864 until November, Union forces scavenged Stone Mountain and the surrounding area, taking corn, wheat, cotton, cattle, and other goods. On November 15, 1864, between 12,000 and 15,000 Union troops marched through Stone Mountain and further destroyed the rail lines. The rails were rendered useless by heating them over burning railroad ties, then twisting them around trees. The term Sherman's neckties was coined for this form of destruction.

Birth of Shermantown

Advertisement for Stone Mountain from The Dixie Highway Magazine, c. 1925.

After the Civil War ended, housing in the area was rebuilt as Stone Mountain granite was again in demand for construction across the nation. A significant portion of the quarry's work force were African Americans, but they were generally excluded from areas where white families lived, so a shantytown, Shermantown, came into being at the southeast side of the village; its name was a reference to Union General William T. Sherman.

In 1868, Reverend R. M. Burson organized Bethsaida Baptist Church to serve Shermantown. A church building was then built under Reverend F. M. Simons at what is now 853 Fourth Street. Simons was among a delegation of southern African American pastors to meet with Sherman in Washington, D.C. after the war to discuss the treatment of the freedmen. Bethsaida Baptist is still an active part of the Stone Mountain Village.

By the 20th century, much of Shermantown's original structures had been replaced. Bethsaida's original wooden structure was replaced by stone in 1920. Though Shermantown has mostly integrated into the growing Stone Mountain Village, it retains its own distinct community.

Rebirth of the Ku Klux Klan

The year 1915 was when the Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist organization, was reborn. Members assembled at Stone Mountain with permission of quarry owner Samuel Venable, an active member. Their activities, including annual cross-burnings, continued for over 40 years, but Stone Mountain's association with the Klan began to erode when the State of Georgia began to acquire the mountain and surrounding property in 1958. In 1960, Governor Ernest Vandiver condemned the property the state had purchased in order to void the perpetual easements Venable had granted the Klan. This ended any official link between Stone Mountain and the Klan.

Civil rights movement

Freedom Bell on Main Street

During the civil rights movement's March on Washington, on August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. referred to Stone Mountain in his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech when he proclaimed, "let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!" Charles Burris, the Village's first African-American mayor, dedicated the Freedom Bell on Main Street in King's honor on February 26, 2000. At an annual ceremony held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the bell is rung to commemorate King's legacy.

Many names

The mountain has been known by countless names throughout the centuries. It was called Crystal Mountain by 16th-century Spanish explorer Juan Pardo when he visited in 1567. The Creek Indians who inhabited the area at that time used a name translating to "Lone Mountain". Around the turn of the 19th century, settlers called it Rock Mountain or Rock Fort Mountain. By the end of the 1830s, Stone Mountain had become the generally accepted name. Like the mountain, the village formed at its base was initially known as Rock Mountain but was incorporated as New Gibraltar in 1839 by an act of the General Assembly. In 1847 the Georgia legislature changed the name to Stone Mountain.

Cemetery

The Stone Mountain Cemetery, established around 1850, is a microcosm of the village's past. It is the final resting place for roughly 200 unknown Confederate soldiers. 71 known Confederate soldiers are buried there, along with James Sprayberry, a Union soldier. Another notable site is the grave of George Pressley Trout, who is buried there with his wife and his horse. James B. Rivers, the village's first African American police chief, is at rest there on a hillside facing the mountain. The cemetery is still in use.

Geography

Stone Mountain is at the western base of the quartz monzonite dome monadnock of the same name. While Stone Mountain city proper is completely within DeKalb County, the postal regions designated and traditionally considered as Stone Mountain include portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett Counties.

According to the State of Georgia, the city has an area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km), of which 0.62% is water.

Further information: Wade-Walker Park

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870690—
188079915.8%
189092916.3%
1900835−10.1%
19101,06227.2%
19201,26619.2%
19301,3355.5%
19401,4085.5%
19501,89934.9%
19601,9764.1%
19701,899−3.9%
19804,867156.3%
19906,49433.4%
20007,14510.0%
20105,802−18.8%
20206,70315.5%
U.S. Decennial Census
1850-1870 1870-1880
1890-1910 1920-1930
1940 1950 1960
1970 1980 1990
2000 2010
Stone Mountain racial composition as of 2020
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 847 12.64%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 4,847 72.31%
Native American 22 0.33%
Asian 206 3.07%
Pacific Islander 2 0.03%
Other/Mixed 251 3.74%
Hispanic or Latino 528 7.88%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 6,703 people, 2,351 households, and 1,578 families residing in the city.

Government

Stone Mountain is governed by a council-manager form of government. Citizens elect a mayor and six council members who are all elected at-large. The terms of office are four years, with elections staggered every two years. Daily city operations are managed by an appointed professional city manager. Services provided by the city include police, public works, code enforcement, and municipal court.

The city also has standing commissions for historic preservation, downtown development, and planning & zoning. The city holds a City of Ethics designation from the Georgia Municipal Association and is a member of Main Street America.

Arts, culture and leisure

  • ART Station Contemporary Arts Center and Theatre Company, a multi-disciplinary arts center, is in the Trolley Car Barn (5384 Manor Drive), built by the Georgia Railway and Power Company in 1913. ART Station hosts shows and gallery events throughout the year, including the Tour of Southern Ghosts each year in October.
  • Wells-Brown House (1036 Ridge Avenue) is an elegant early 1870s neoclassical residence that is home of the Stone Mountain Historical Society. The Wells-Brown House houses a growing artifact collection and research library.
  • Cart-Friendly Community: Stone Mountain is one of a handful of Georgia communities that permit golf carts on city streets with a city-issued inspection permit. Carts are also permitted within adjacent Stone Mountain Park, giving the community an added leisure activity.
  • Museum of Miniature Chairs (994 Main Street): a three-room gallery and shop featuring over 3000 miniature chairs.
  • PATH: the Atlanta Regional Trail of the PATH off-road trails, which serves walkers, runners, cyclists, and skaters, enters the village on East Ponce de Leon Avenue, goes south on Main Street, and continues into Stone Mountain Park via a trail built atop the old railroad spur that once connected the CSX tracks to the Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad.

In film

Ghost sign of a fictional company left from a previous film production.

The Stone Mountain area has been a beneficiary of Georgia's flourishing film industry. Film crews and production personnel have become common sights in Stone Mountain Village. Due to the demand for filming in the historic downtown area, requests for filming in the village are handled by the downtown development authority. The proceeds help fund festivals and other public events for the community.

Most of the shops and buildings on Main Street were built right after the turn of the 20th century and maintain many of the original facades. This has provided an appropriate backdrop for a number of filming projects, ranging from period pieces to those requiring a quaint village setting.

Parts of motion pictures like Footloose (2011) and Need for Speed (2014) were filmed in the village. The growing number of television show credits include The Vampire Diaries, Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, MacGyver, and the Netflix science fiction/horror series Stranger Things.

Organizations

Stone Mountain Village is home to a number of community, civic, and outreach organizations:

  • Stone Mountain Historical Society, 1036 Ridge Avenue
  • GFWC Stone Mountain Woman's Club, 5513 East Mountain Street
  • Stone Mountain Masonic Lodge No. 449, F&AM, 840 VFW Drive
  • DeKalb Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 10, 1238 Ridge Avenue
  • Side by Side Brain Injury Clubhouse, 1001 Main Street
  • Stone Mountain Cooperative Ecumenical Ministry (Food Bank), 5324 West Mountain Street

Education

Stone Mountain High School is the zoned public high school with Stone Mountain in its attendance boundary; it is not in the city limits of Stone Mountain

The children of Stone Mountain are served by the DeKalb County Public Schools. Stone Mountain Elementary School and Champion Theme Middle School are within the city limits.

Most residents in the city limits are zoned to Stone Mountain Elementary School. Some areas are zoned to Rockbridge Elementary School, outside of the city limits. All residents of Stone Mountain are zoned to: Stone Mountain Middle School, and Stone Mountain High School; the middle school and the high school are outside the city limits.

Georgia Military College (GMC) has a satellite campus in Stone Mountain Village at 5325 Manor Drive.

DeKalb County Public Library operates the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library (952 Leon Street).

Notable people

References

  1. ^ "City of Stone Mountain Georgia". Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Stone Mountain, Georgia
  3. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ^ "Stone Mountain". About North Georgia. Archived from the original on October 19, 2018. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  6. ^ Freeman, David B. (1997). Carved in Stone. The History of Stone Mountain. Mercer University Press. ISBN 0865545472.
  7. ^ Delaney, Kim (February 17, 2011). "A Look at Stone Mountain's Rich History". Patch Media. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  8. Stewart, Bruce E. (2004). "Stone Mountain". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Georgia Humanities.
  9. "Big market supplied by local granite". The DeKalb New Era. Decatur, GA. December 21, 1939.
  10. ^ "About our Village". Stone Mountain Historical Society. 2014. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  11. ^ Civil War Sesquicentennial 1861-1865. City of Stone Mountain. 2011.
  12. Stokes, Stephannie (November 25, 2015). "Stone Mountain and the Rebirth of the KKK, One Century Ago". WABE. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  13. Powers, Benjamin (May 4, 2018). "In the Shadow of Stone Mountain". Smithsonian.
  14. Golden, Randy. "Stone Mountain Carving". About North Georgia. Archived from the original on January 26, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  15. King, Martin Luther Jr. (August 28, 1963). "I have a Dream". Lillian Goldman Law Library. Retrieved October 8, 2011. Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!
  16. "Stone Mountain". State of Georgia. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  17. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decade". United States Census Bureau.
  18. "1870 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1870.
  19. "1880 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1880.
  20. "1910 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1910.
  21. "1930 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1930. pp. 251–256.
  22. "1940 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1940.
  23. "1950 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1950.
  24. "1960 Census of Population - Population of County Subdivisions - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1960.
  25. "1970 Census of Population - Population of County Subdivisions - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1970.
  26. "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1980.
  27. "1990 Census of Population - Summary Social, Economic, and Housing Characteristics - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1990.
  28. "2000 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000.
  29. "2010 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2010.
  30. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  31. "Cities of Ethics". Georgia Municipal Association. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  32. "About Us". ART Station. 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  33. "PATH Trails". Path Foundation. Archived from the original on November 26, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  34. "Economic Development-Downtown Development Authority". City of Stone Mountain. 2018. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  35. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: DeKalb County, GA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  36. "Zoning Map" (PDF). Stone Mountain. Retrieved February 18, 2023. - Compare to county school zoning maps.
  37. "DeKalb County School District Elementary School Attendance Zones 2018-2019 School Year" (PDF). DeKalb County Public Schools. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  38. "DeKalb County School District Middle School Attendance Zones 2018-2019 School Year" (PDF). DeKalb County Public Schools. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  39. "High School Attendance Areas 2016 - 2017 School Year." DeKalb County School System. Retrieved on June 1, 2017.
  40. "Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library". DeKalb County Public Library. Retrieved November 22, 2018.

Further reading

External links

Municipalities and communities of DeKalb County, Georgia, United States
County seat: Decatur
Cities
Map of Georgia highlighting DeKalb County
CDPs
Neighborhoods and
unincorporated communities
Ghost town
Footnotes‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
Categories: