Step back to the early days of Cobb County entering this historic edifice. With the Western & Atlantic RR about to be completed in the mid-1840's, future Marietta Mayor Glover built a restaurant here to feed the passengers from the Marietta Depot next door. Purchased from the Glovers in 1855 and converted to an inn by the Fletchers (hence the original name of Fletcher House), this hotel was one of the finest in Georgia. During the Civil War its proximity to the railroad and Georgia Military Academy made it a hotbed for Union spies. Although Mr. Fletcher was not a spy he was a Union sympathizer and some of his friends, including his son-in-law Mr. Cole, were.

In 1862 this hotel, and the one owned by the Cole's across the street hosted James Andrews and most of his raiders as they plotted the Great Locomotive Chase. During much of the time after the chase the building was used as a hospital, as were most of the buildings in the Atlanta area that were near a railroad. After its capture by Union forces in July, 1864, Sherman briefly used the structure as his headquarters. It was ordered burned in November of that year, but survived, losing a balcony and the top floor.

In 1898, the United Daughters of the Confederacy began their formal life in this building. The group, which had been informal until then, promoted many causes including preservation and maintenance of historic sites.

The second floor is home to the Marietta Museum of History. Recently the first floor was converted to office space.

Location: Downtown near the Railroad Depot
Directions: I-75 exit 265, go 2.3 miles, left on Mill St.
Additional information:
Address:
1 Depot Street, Marietta, Georgia
Date added: November 16, 2003
Last update: October 3, 2004