New weekly articles covering 150 years of Atlanta

Once again we have come to the end of another year. After the fizzle of 2020, the past 12 months of 2021 seemed busy. I believe the pandemic forced us to get our priorities in line and spend more time doing things that matter most to us and celebrate what we have.

For those of us in Atlanta, the year 2022 will mark the sesquicentennial of this railroad towns’ founding. In 1872 the streets around the depot were wagon trails used by tradesmen and farmers to get their goods on the train headed to market.

Those streets are now paved and the depot is still standing where it was built in 1872 by the Texas and Pacific Railway. The post office opened the same year, and by 1885 the community had 1,500 residents, three white and two black churches, two schools, a bank, several sawmills, a number of general stores, and a weekly newspaper – the Citizens Journal - which is now called the Cass County Citizens Journal-Sun.

Beginning next week with the first paper of 2022, we will offer weekly historical articles and photos – some will be reprinted from early issues of this newspaper. As our city council and Chamber of Commerce form committees to plan the birthday festivities, we will give you the event details as they unfold.

In 1972 the whole town came together for Atlanta’s 100th birthday, and we hope next year’s celebration will be just as elaborate. In September of 1972 a week-long party in Hiram Street with old-fashioned games included: Penny in the Pine Straw, Watermelon Seed spitting, a beard contest for the men, apple bobbing, various sewing and baking contests, best 1800’s costume contest, a soda saloon, a mock shoot-out in the street, a community theater play, and all of the downtown businesses dressed their windows with antique goods and fashions.

Also during that event, a time capsule was buried in front of City Hall on the corner of Allday and Louise streets. That time capsule is supposed to be dug up and opened in September 2022.

Many of us still remember wearing handmade period dresses and costumes. Look for photos of that celebration in future issues of the paper. I’m already thinking about what I’ll be wearing this time!