For 100 years the Dalton Depot was the center of the "Cartpet Capitol of the World" both figuratively and literally. When the depot was built by the Western and Atlantic Railroad in 1847 at Cross Plains the city fathers decided not only to rename the town, but redefine it as well. Walk into the restaurant and make the first right (away from the dining area) and look down. This mark, on the floor of the depot, is the center of Dalton as it was defined in 1847. All land within a mile of this mark was in the newly named town of Dalton (Dalton city history). By the start of the Civil War Dalton added a second railroad and was growing rapidly.

Near the end of The Great Locomotive Chase The Texas slowed to drop Edward Henderson, a telegrapher, off at the depot. He had started south to see what the problem was with the line from Atlanta (the raiders had cut the line at the start of their journey). He sent a message to Chattanooga to warn them of the approaching raiders.

During the battle of Chickamauga thousands of troops disembarked here, some under the command of James Longstreet. They passed through the station to the cheers of local residents. After the battle, thousands of wounded were transported through the station to hospitals in Atlanta.

Joseph E. Johnston, who had arrived at the station to take command of the Confederate Army of the Tennessee, used the depot extensively during the Battle of Dalton, counting on if for the quick transport of troops to any point south of the city. When Johnston finally began an orderly withdrawal to Resaca after holding Rocky Face Ridge, he used the station as an embarkation point.

Dalton Depot Restaurant

Today the historic depot is home to the Dalton Depot Restaurant, an up-scale and delightful change-of-pace to the fast-food common along I-75, and a recommended stop for visitors to the Dalton area and highly thought of by the local folks.

The menu features a wide range of foods including steak, seafood, chicken, pasta, hamburgers and neo-classic American house specialties including pork chops, baby back ribs, veal parmesan and shrimp and cheese grits.

Over the years we have visited this restaurant a number of times and have always had great service and excellent food. The steaks (Certified Angus Beef) have alway been tender and flavorful and the seafood is simply wonderful, still moist and tender. On our last visit (Oct. 2000) my companion enjoyed a bacon-wrapped filet mignon (cooked medium rare, as ordered) while I had the Cajun Shrimp pasta. Made like a true Cajun dish, this is not for lightweights.

Location:
Directions: I75 at exit 333 go east 1.8 miles on Walnut Avenue to Thornton Avenue. Turn left, then at fourth traffic light go right on Crawford Street, 3 blocks left on Hamilton Street, 1 block to Kings Street, then right.
Additional information:
Hours:Monday-Thursday, 11:00am-10:00pm, Friday and Saturday 12:00am-11:00pm
Phone:706.226.3160
Date added: November 16, 2003
Last update: December 4, 2003