Georgia Natural Wonder #144 - Roswell (Part 3). 723

[Top Row Dawg]

Georgia Natural Wonder #144 - Roswell (Part 3)

We covered the Natural Wonder of Vickery Creek GNW #144 (Part 1) and the Antebellum splendor/ Civil War atrocities GNW #144 (Part 2) of old Roswell. We rocket ship to the present in our wrap up post on Roswell so let's get rockin.



After the war, Barrington King rebuilt the Roswell Mills and resumed production.



You have that whole area of Mill Houses all along Sloan Street we featured in GNW #144 (Part 1).


Laurel Woolen Mill 1900.

While many freedmen stayed in the area to work as paid labor on plantations or in town, others migrated to Fulton County and Atlanta for new opportunities. The South suffered an agricultural depression resulting from the effects of the war and labor changes. 


Woo! Rank the GNW Roswell Mill Gals.

According to the census, the population of Cobb County decreased slightly from 14,242 in 1860, to 13,814 in 1870. The proportion of African-Americans decreased more, from 27% to 23%. During those years, nearby Fulton County more than doubled in population, from 14,427 to 33,336. The effects of dramatic African-American migration can be seen by the increase in Fulton County from 20.5% slave in 1860 to 45.7% colored (Black) in 1870.


Bulloch Hall 1880.

The Victorian era did not pass Roswell by as there are plenty of examples, especially on the northern edge of Mimosa Drive and Canton Street.





My daughter worked for a long time at the Fickle Pickle on Canton Street.


Pretty tasty tomato basil soup.

At the end of 1931, the United States was in the midst of the Great Depression. The difficult economic conditions drove Milton County, Roswell's neighboring county to the north (note: much of what is now Roswell was part of Milton County already), to merge in its entirety with Fulton County, Roswell's neighboring county to the south. To facilitate the merger, Roswell was ceded from Cobb County to become part of Fulton County. This became effective the 9th day of May in 1932. Roswell filed all legal records, including vital statistics, real estate, and the results of torts with the county clerk of Cobb before this date; with the county clerk of Fulton, after this date. 


Early Fulton County era Roswell.

Roswell is now one of the largest cities in the state; its population has increased most steadily in the last 15 years.


Tricky finding vintage images of Roswell.


Modern day City Limits of Roswell.

Economy

The Consulate-General of Honduras in Atlanta is located at Suite 3 in 600 Houze Way in Roswell. The city's largest employers are The Kimberly Clark Corporation,


Headquarters Texas but legal and manufacturing facilities in Roswell and Alpharetta.

North Fulton Regional Hospital,



Tangent for Curtis Mayfield died 12/26/99 from diabetes at the North Fulton Regional Hospital in Roswell, Georgia; his health having steadily declined following his paralysis. In1990, Mayfield was paralyzed from the neck down after stage lighting equipment fell on him at concert. He was unable to play guitar, but he wrote, sang, and directed the recording of his last album, New World Order. Mayfield’s vocals were painstakingly recorded, usually line-by-line while lying on his back. In February 1998, he had to have his right leg amputated due to diabetes. No grave images, ashes given to family.



The last of the large employers would be The City Of Roswell.


State Capital of Roswell City Hall.

A section of Route 400 between Roswell and Atlanta is known as the High Tech Corridor, where many technology firms like Kimberly Clark have factories or offices.



As of the 2006 census, one third of Roswell's 5.000 registered business were home based. The largest industries were retail, technology, food services, wholesale trade and health care. Many Roswell residents work in nearby Atlanta. 



Businesses with their headquarters in Roswell include Snorg Tees, the number 6 rank on the Bulldog 100, which is a list of the fastest growing companies owned by University of Georgia alumni.



Tripwire Interactive,



and Pharsalia Technologies.



Roswell's economy is large enough to recruit franchises from many popular Georgia businesses who operate multiple locations in Roswell. In 2015, Roswell was ranked 224 for economic growth among small American cities. 

Tourism

Canton Street is located in the heart of the historic district in uptown Roswell.


Recent TRD visit.



Sidewalk cafes, restaurants and boutiques line this charming street.



April through October Canton Street hosts Alive in Roswell on the third Thursday of each month, come out for the "best street party" in Atlanta. It has even been named as a Georgia Great Street. Take time to explore this part of Roswell and all the unique finds along the way. 



There is a case to be made that Canton Street is the single most entertaining district outside Atlanta's perimeter. Here are a few points to support that case:

The Third Thursday

Alive in Roswell is a weirdly nostalgic name (changed this year from Alive After Five) for the city's monthly street party. But make no mistake about it, on the third Thursday of the month Roswell's Canton Street is the wildest place in Atlanta. More of a family-friendly affair in the hours before sunset,



but the vibe after 9 p.m. - simply insane.



Thousands of college students and young professionals fill the bars, streets and plazas to dance, drink and generally create the best atmosphere. A straight-up structure fire of a party in Roswell.

Open container laws

Roswell's historic district allows for the open container laws that make Bourbon Street in New Orleans such a zoo. Not just during Alive in Roswell but all the time.



The who.

Roswell's Canton Street has transformed in recent years into one of the most relevant city centers in the Atlanta metro region. Where once gift shops and art galleries sleepily sold fares to an older crowd, today stands an ever growing collection of bars and restaurants whose target audience is decidedly younger.



As home prices in-town squeeze out first-time home buyers and young families, places like Sandy Springs, Alpharetta and Roswell offer the right balance of home, area and price. The younger the cities get in median age, the more city centers like Canton Street reflect the millennial life experience.


The further you go up canton Street it is like houses turned to restaurants bars shops.

The food

The restaurants of Canton Street are fantastic, too. Little Alley is one of the most elite steak houses in all of Atlanta,



and the upper-mid tier is well served by places like Salt,



Roux



and Table & Main.



The Mexican food at Ceviche is on point.



The wine lists at Vin 25 and Osteria Mattone are extremely sophisticated and comprehensive.


Entrance of Vin 25 and patio of Osteria Mattone.

The rooftop bar at Pure (and the Pure Margarita) never fails to satisfy.


Party all day and night at Pure.

I reflect on the day when Green Street had an all you can eat restaurant "Greenwoods" and the "Swallow In The Hollow" was across the street, and a group of us saw Kim Carnes unplugged back in the 1990's.


(Betty Davis Eyes).

Back up by the Roswell Square and the Roswell Mill the burgers and beers at Moxie make it a top-15 burger joint nationwide (per Business Insider), and their porch overlooks the historic Roswell Mill.



The late night funk

Add to the food, drink, people and loose drinking restrictions a funk band at the bar Pasti's,



and the late night karaoke spectacle that is Chaplin's and a comprehensive picture begins to emerge: Canton Street is fun —really fun.



Canton Street is as legitimate a nightlife destination as Grant Park, Decatur or Little Five Points. it is up there with Crescent Avenue or Edgewood, Virginia Highland.

Tourists visit the following notable places: 

* Denotes Attraction already covered prior post on Roswell.

Historic Roswell Visitors Center



The Southern Trilogy of Homes Tour -Archibald Smith Plantation Home - Bulloch Hall - Barrington Hall *

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area


Lake Bull Sluice.

Chattahoochee Nature Center



Faces Of War Memorial Located behind City Hall up by beginning of Canton Street.



The Faces of War - heroic and tragic

Faces of the past held present in our memories

Faces of soldiers and civilians - men, women, children all ages, all colors

And our own Faces - observes who can never know the entire story

The whole concealed and reflected by a thin veil of water

Water representing tears - separation of past and present a cleaning

And emerging from the Faces, one soldier stepping toward the future into a garden

Stepping toward the next generation a child - His legacy and ours



Primrose Cottage*

Teaching Museum North



Atlanta Rowing Club



Holly Hill*

Roswell Mill*

The Computer Museum of America



The Roswell Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs Department proudly maintains more than 900 acres of parkland, as well as three historic house museums (A Southern Trilogy). Roswell Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs Department has become the first city in Georgia to win the National Recreation and Parks Association's (NRPA) Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Parks and Recreation Management in 2017. The goals of the department are to promote a sense of community spirit and athleticism in the youth of Roswell partnering with many local middle and high schools to achieve its goals by lending practice fields and athletic coaches throughout the year. 



A branch of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, a component of the National Park System, is located in Roswell at Vickery Creek. 

Festivals and parades

Roswell Memorial Day Ceremony — the largest Memorial Day Ceremony in Georgia



Roswell Roots: A Festival of Black History & Culture (February)



Roswell Criterium Bicycle Race



Riverside Sounds Concert Series (May — October)



Roswell Youth Day Parade and Festival (October)



Keep Roswell Beautiful Duck Race (October)



Roswell Wine Festival (first Sunday in October)


1 man to every 13 women at Wine Festival.

Notable people

Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steeler and current NBC Sports announcer.


Bus and castle.

Jay Busbee, American author/journalist, resides in Roswell.



David Cross, American comedian, television, and film actor, writer, and director, lived in Roswell as a child.



Deko, born Grant Andrew Decouto in Roswell, rapper and Grammy-nominated music producer.



Emily Dolvin, aunt of Jimmy Carter (the 39th U.S. President), lived in Roswell the majority of her life and was the inaugural chairwoman of the Roswell Historical Society.



Jeff Foxworthy (born September 6, 1958) American stand-up comedian, actor, television and radio personality, author, and voice artist.


Georgia Tech man.

Karen Handel, former Georgia Secretary of State, and former U.S. Representative of the 6th congressional district of Georgia resides in Roswell.



Lori Henry, has served as mayor of Roswell since 2018. She is the first woman to assume the office.

*

Roswell King (1765 – February 15, 1844) American businessman, planter, and industrialist.



Landon Milbourne, basketball player for Hapoel Eilat of the Israeli Basketball Premier League.



Anya Monzikova, Russian-American actress and model, currently lives in Roswell with her husband Josh Fritts.


Case #10 on Deal Or No Deal.

Brendan Moore, American professional soccer player.



Dale Murphy,lived in Roswell in the 1980s.Two-time National League MVP, former Atlanta Braves baseball player.


Rookie Card and Kids/Grand Kids. He and his wife had 8 kids, 7 boys and 1 girl.

Jermaine Phillips Former Georgia Bulldog football safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2002–2009.



Tony Phillips, American professional baseball utility player who had an 18-year Major League Baseball career from 1982 to 1999. Uncle of Jermaine Phillips.



Tom Price, Congressman from the 6th congressional district of Georgia. Price later served as Secretary of Health and Human Services under the administration of Donald Trump.



Mike Ramsey, former Roswell High Baseball star who went on to play for the St. Lous Cardinals from 1978 until 1985. He played on the World Series Champion Cardinals in 1982.



Neel Reid, Architect who lived in Mimosa Hall which he bought in 1916 and extensively renovated including designing the gardens. He died there in 1926. He is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon.



Chris Reis, Super Bowl 44 Champion (New Orleans Saints), Roswell High and Georgia Tech graduate. Reis played a central role in a crucial play during Super Bowl XLIV.  He recovered an onside kick on the 2nd half kickoff between the Saints and the Indianapolis Colts.

*

Martha Bulloch Roosevelt, the mother of Theodore Roosevelt (the 26th US President) and grandmother of Eleanor Roosevelt, came from Roswell. Bulloch Hall was her home.



Nap Rucker, left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Brooklyn Superbas/Dodgers/Robins. Mayor of Roswell.
   


Now Naps grave is in the Presbyterian Church Cemetery. These graves date back to 1840's.



This is also called Old Roswell Cemetery as it extends across Hwy. 9.



Looking at the City Limits map, I did not go out Holcomb Bridge Road.


Towers of Suburbia along Holcomb Bridge Road across 400 to East Roswell Park. One of the best Frisbee Golf Courses in Atlanta area. There is a smaller course at Wills Park, but that may be Alpharetta.

I am missing all that Riverside Park along the Chattahoochee.



Fishing Docks all along Bull Sluice Lake.



Becomes more like the Chattahoochee River with rocky shoals.



Nice little park down here where they have concerts.


Kids splashing.


Geese stroll park where Vickery Creek enters Hooch.

There is this marvelous wetland along Bull Sluice Lake and Willeo Creek, and I see on the Internet, they have built this enormous boardwalk.



Wow, this may constitute a separate wonder down the road.







Wildlife along the wetlands and lake and river.



This hike along Willeo Creek and the rock climbing on Vickery (Big) Creek, I got a lot to re-explore up here in Roswell.



Wrapping It Up

CNN named Roswell #76 for its list of the Top 100 Places to Live in the US in 2010. 

Named One of the Top Three Cities in the Nation to Raise Your Family. Roswell was listed third in the book, Best Places to Raise Your Family, released by Frommer's. 

On October 30, 2006, the City of Roswell was named the 18th Safest City in the United States by City Crime Rankings.

I know I missed a lot, but I am moving on. There are a lot of weddings in Roswell at the different venues, so today's GNW Gals are getting hitched in Roswell.


I know it's a step down from women in bondage or women in bubble baths. Marriage is like bondage with invisible ropes of trust and mutual respect.8-)

I've covered Cobb County and the Civil War activity history tangents. I did an extension of the Classic South to Mountain theme. I started with Woody Gap at #121 looking for Mountain Wonders mixed with a more Classic South Theme tinged with history. Now here we are 24 Wonders later and 33 Post later. Not real sure where to go to next, but I still got a list. Think it's time we look within the State, digging deep for our next theme of Natural Wonders in Georgia........