City of Kennesaw

Kennesaw is community with a rich history, an important business center, and an exceptional quality of life. Our residents have access to nationally recognized educational resources as well as parks, recreation and cultural programs and services, excellent public and private golf courses, and attractive, modern neighborhoods. Kennesaw is located in the heart of Cobb County, approximately 20 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta. Interstate 75 is nearby, providing convenient access to shopping and entertainment in the Town Center Mall area.  Discover Kennesaw

Kennesaw residents appreciate the City as a great place to live, learn, work and play. The City is also well known for its rich history. Residents enjoy the City´s combination of small town charm and big city amenities. Once the site of major fighting during the Civil War, Kennesaw has emerged as a premiere destination for families and businesses looking to relocate in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Kennesaw takes great pride in being a community that protects and manages its historical and cultural resources for future generations.  Quality of Life

The history of Kennesaw dates back to the 1830s when the Georgia Legislature authorized the construction of a rail line through Cobb County. Known as the Western and Atlantic Railroad, 20 miles of track was in operation from Terminus (Atlanta) to Cartersville by 1846. Several small towns were founded along the railroad including Vinings, Smyrna, Acworth and Big Shanty.

The abundance of water and high ground adjacent to the railroad led to the construction of worker's shanties near the present day Kennesaw. This area became known as the "big grade to the shanties" and was later shortened to "Big Shanty Grade". The high point of the railroad between the Chattahoochee River and the Etowah is the present day crossing in Kennesaw. In the late 1850s a plot of land was acquired by the Railroad "for the purpose of erecting a Depot and an eating house for the convenience of the traveling public." This eating place became the famous Lacy House and was operated by Mr. and Mrs. George Lacy. More...

See Kennesaw Homes