Alpharetta: From “First Town” to Affluent City

By Carol Morgan August 23, 2021 0 Comment

Alpharetta once resided within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation and was the home of numerous indigenous families. In the 1830s, European Settlers and the American Army forcibly removed the Cherokee and other native tribes from the modern American Southeast. Milton County, now the northeastern section of Fulton County, was created in 1857, with Alpharetta (then known as the city of Milton) founded a year later as the county seat. Historic Milton County relied heavily on cotton plantations within the local economy. These plantations were both renowned for their production capacity and known for experimenting with farming methods. During the Great Depression, Milton County, along with Campbell County and the city of Roswell, was merged into Fulton County. These areas had maintained their dependence on cotton from the Antebellum period into the 20th century. As a result, boll weevil infestations and repeated downturns in cotton prices during the 1910s and 1920s had left Milton, Campbell and Roswell destitute. State authorities merged these areas into Fulton County to utilize the economic wellbeing of historic Fulton and Atlanta for the poorer residents’ advantage.

Since the 1950s, Alpharetta has grown into a modern city of high-tech companies and successful businesses. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the city has a population of almost 70,000 people. Of this population, most own their homes and have lived in the area for more than five years. Alpharetta is known as an affluent location, and has both a low crime rate and excellently rated school system. The children of Alpharetta residents attend top schools including Alpharetta Elementary, Holcomb Bridge Middle, Northwestern Middle and Alpharetta High.

Interested home buyers can search Trulia for more than 1,400 opportunities. Home prices range from about $150,000 to more than $7 million. The median sales price is $587,500. Rental opportunities abound too, ranging from $1,300 to $6,500 a month.

Residents of Alpharetta enjoy the ease of being close to GA 400, fantastic shopping and dining, and lots of recreational options. Easy access to Interstates 75, 85 and 285 provide ample travel options for business and pleasure.

Shopping and Dining

Village Tavern. Serving great food with the finest and freshest ingredients, Village Tavern offers an array of menu items. These include bruschetta, sweet potato fries, grilled tilapia, ten spiced glazed salmon, filet mignon, fresh fish tacos, grilled meatloaf, blackened chicken alfredo, gourmet burgers, rustic Italian pizzas and homemade desserts.
Alpine Bakery and Trattoria. With a spectacular menu of Italian cuisine and delicious desserts, Alpine Bakery and Trattoria will become a family favorite. Menu items include caprese salad, Stromboli, calzones, New York-style pizza, cakes, pies and cookies.
Avalon. The best shopping, dining and entertainment near Atlanta, Avalon has a huge collection of businesses. Stores include American Threads, Banana Republic, The Container Store, Free People, and West Elm, while top-rated restaurants range from Antico Pizza and Cafe Intermezzo to Biltong Bar and Superica. Avalon also offers more than 750,000 square feet of Class-A office space that comes with superfast internet connection speeds, as Avalon is Georgia’s first Gigabit community, with connection speeds that are 100 times faster than what’s currently available. There are also more than 800 residents that live at Avalon in luxury lofts and an exclusive single-family courtyard enclave. The newest phase of this mixed-use development also includes a hotel, luxury spa and conference center.
Downtown Alpharetta. Featuring a “live, work, play” environment, the newly updated downtown, now known at City Center, is the place to be. Experience great shopping at Mountain High Outfitters, DressUp Boutique and Perched. When hunger strikes, enjoy a bite at Cantina Loca, Curry Up Now or Jinya Ramen Bar. Outside of City Center, there are plenty of other restaurants, businesses and shopping opportunities to frequent along N. Main Street and Milton Avenue, including Maple Street Bisuits, Smokejack BBQ, All Fired Up and La Bella Maison.
North Point Mall. A popular shopping center with over 1.4 million square feet in use, North Point Mall has retail options for every taste. Some of the shops available include Aerie, Dillard’s, Forever 21, James Avery and the Lego store.

Entertainment and Recreation

Alpharetta Art in the Park. Located in Brooke Street Park in downtown Alpharetta, Art in the Park is an outdoor artists market showcasing work by local artists who create masterpieces right before your eyes. This event happens on select Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sundays from noon until 4 p.m.
Big Creek Greenway Trail. The trail is approximately 10 miles and runs parallel to North Point Parkway. Wildlife such as blue heron, deer, ducks and Canadian geese can be observed in this preserved setting.
Ameris Bank Amphitheatre. Enjoy performances by today’s leading artists at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre. Upcoming concerts include Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton, Lady A, Brookes & Dunn, and NEEDTOBREATHE. Be sure to stay up to date with COVID-19 guidelines for rescheduling of shows.
Alpharetta Farmers Market. Held on the Town Green in downtown, the market happens April through December on Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. It offers homegrown fruits and vegetables, all natural meats, fresh flowers and plants, and a variety of edible goodies.
AlphaLoop. Introduced in 2016 and completed in 2020, the AlphaLoop is a new and transformative project for Alpharetta. It will eventually connect the city in more ways than none, while improving mobility, promoting healthier lifestyles, and connecting neighborhoods to activity centers. The AlphaLoop is a multiuse path that loops through the City of Alpharetta and ties communities like the Big Creek Greenway, Downtown Alpharetta, Avalon, and the North Point District.

Historical Attractions

Walk of Memories. Visit the memorial and pay tribute to U.S. veterans, family and friends through a walkway of nearly 8,000 bricks inscribed with the names of Georgians who served our country. Highlights include a WWII M60 tank and a Vietnam-era UH-1 Huey helicopter.
Mansell House and Gardens. This early 1900s home is perfect for weddings, parties, meetings and more. Tours are available by appointment only. Be sure to call 770-475-4663 to schedule.
Alpharetta Historical Society Log Cabin. Built by Future Farmers of America students on the site of the old Milton High School, the log cabin dates back to the 1930s. It is one of two FFA-constructed log cabins still in use today. It was built using 19th century Southern Appalachian Frontier log structures and includes donated tools and furnishings from the 1800s and early 1900s. The cabin is open for tours by appointment only. Call 770-475-4663 to schedule your tour.
Alpharetta History Walk. This walk contains over 25 historical markers that tell the history of Alpharetta’s past. All located within walking distance of each other, you’ll learn what industry drove the city’s economy in the beginning. Learn more about this History Walk by downloading The City Tours app to view a self-guided walking tour in Alpharetta.

Discover this “first town” today. You may even find your dream home! For more information about shopping, dining, and recreation in the City of Alpharetta visit www.awesomealpharetta.com.